Derwent Valley Heritage Way

53°06′39″N 1°33′09″W / 53.1108°N 1.5526°W / 53.1108; -1.5526

Derwent Valley Heritage Way
Cromford Wharf
Length88 km (55 mi)
LocationDerbyshire
Established2003
TrailheadsLadybower Reservoir (north of Bamford) to Shardlow
UseWalking
Elevation gain/loss1,002 metres (3,287 ft)
Highest point220 metres (722 ft)
SeasonAll
Waymark sign for Derwent Valley Heritage Way

The Derwent Valley Heritage Way (DVHW) is a 55 miles (89 km) waymarked footpath along the Derwent Valley through the Peak District (as far as Rowsley). The walk starts from Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District National Park via Chatsworth, the scenery around the Derbyshire Dales, and through the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. It follows the Riverside Path through Derby and continues onwards to the historic inland port of Shardlow. Journey's end is at Derwent Mouth where the River Derwent flows into the River Trent.[1]

The walk was established by The Derwent Valley Trust, which was set up in 1996. The route was planned and developed by Derbyshire Countryside Ranger, Rick Jillings. The Duke of Devonshire opened the walk at Chatsworth House in 2003.[2][3]

Route edit

Places on the route and highlights on or near the trail:[4]

Ladybower Reservoir to Baslow edit

 
River Derwent from Ladybower Reservoir

Baslow to Matlock edit

 
Chatsworth House

Matlock to Belper edit

 
River Derwent at Matlock Bath

Belper to Derby edit

 
Darley Abbey

Derby to Derwent Mouth edit

Derwent Valley Heritage Way
 
 
 
Ladybower Reservoir
 
 
 
River Derwent
 
 
 
 
Bamford
 
 
 
 
Bamford station
 
 
 
 
 
Hathersage station
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Froggatt
 
 
 
Baslow
 
 
 
 
Chatsworth House
 
 
 
Rowsley
 
 
 
River Wye
 
 
 
 
Rowsley South
 
 
 
 
 
Darley Dale
 
 
 
 
 
Matlock
 
 
 
 
 
Matlock Bath & Masson Mills
 
 
 
 
 
Cromford Mill
 
 
 
 
Cromford station
 
 
 
 
High Peak Trail
 
 
 
 
High Peak Junction
 
 
 
 
Leawood Pump House
 
 
 
 
Whatstandwell
 
 
 
Cromford Canal
 
 
 
 
River Amber
 
 
 
 
 
Ambergate
 
 
 
 
 
Belper
 
 
 
 
Duffield station
 
 
 
 
 
Darley Abbey Mills
 
 
 
 
Derby Silk Mill
 
 
 
 
Derby station
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elvaston Castle Country Park
 
 
 
 
Trent and Mersey Canal
 
 
 
 
Shardlow Marina
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derwent Mouth at River Trent
Sources[5]

Access edit

Train stations: Bamford, Hathersage, Rowsley South, Darley Dale, Matlock, Matlock Bath, Cromford, Whatstandwell, Ambergate, Belper, Duffield, Derby.

The route is covered by 4 OS Explorer maps:[6]

  • OL1 - The Peak District (Dark Peak)
  • OL24 - The Peak District (White Peak)
  • 259 - Derby
  • 260 - Nottingham

Connected paths: Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk, Centenary Way (Derbyshire), High Peak Trail, Midshires Way.[2]

The official guide book is 'The Derwent Valley Heritage Way' published by Bannister Publications, 2ed, 2014.

External links edit

References edit

  1. ^ "HOME". Derwent Valley Trust. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Derwent Valley Heritage Way". Long Distance Walkers Association. Archived from the original on 9 March 2001. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Derwent Valley Heritage Walk". www.derbyshiredalesramblers.org.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Heritage Way". Derwent Valley Mills. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Heritage Way - Derwent Valley Mills". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  6. ^ "BBC - Derby - Around Derby - Walking - Derwent Valley Heritage Way". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2020.