The Derwent Valley – the valley that changed the World
“Little flowery fields of every shape and size, square fields, triangles, fish-shaped fields with odd corners, rhomboids, bounded by green hedgerows and black walls, linked arms and ran up hill and down dale, round the folded hills out of sight into countless valleys beyond where the sun set.”
Alison Uttley ‘The Country Child’
The Derwent Valley is a special place, where the lowlands meet the rugged grandeur of the Peak District. It is an area of contrasts, united by the river which flows through it. The Valley is exceptionally rich in wildlife with ash and oak woodlands, charming villages, flower rich pastures and flowing streams; home to the internationally recognised Derwent Valley Mills, the only World Heritage Site in the East Midlands. Whether your interests are walking, cycling, history or wildlife the Valley is the perfect choice for a summer outing or a winter break.
Take a journey back to an age when Britain held centre-stage as the world’s first industrial nation – to a place where water power was first successfully harnessed for textile production – a milestone in the Industrial Revolution.
Set amidst breath-taking countryside it offers fascinating insights into industrial and social life during the 18th and 19th centuries. Snaking 15 miles down the river valley from Matlock Bath to Derby, the World Heritage Site contains a fascinating series of historic mill complexes, including some of the world’s first ‘modern’ factories. No less important are the watercourses that powered them, the settlements that were built for the mill workers and the remains of one of the world’s earliest railways – all nestling within a stunningly beautiful landscape that has changed little over two centuries.
In the north, the River Derwent carves through the limestone to create a dramatic gorge at Matlock Bath. It is flanked by wooded limestone dales and overlooked by a plateau enclosed by dry-stone walls and picturesque field barns. To the south is gentler woodland and pasture leading into the historic city of Derby. It is an area of tranquility only an hour away from the busy cities of Derby, Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham.
The Derwent Valley offers a range of country walks, quality shopping, wholesome food and drink, and abundant local hospitality. There is something for everyone!