Cromford Canal
Cromford Canal
4.5
About
The construction of the Cromford Canal by William Jessop and Benjamin Outram, partners in the Butterley company, was completed in 1794. It is 14.5 miles long and joined Cromford with the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill. The site has a wealth of industrial heritage and lies in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site. The canal is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its entire length from Cromford to Ambergate. The 3.3km southern section from Whatstandwell Bridge to Ambergate is a Local Nature Reserve. The canal is a haven for water vole, a threatened and declining species, and for grass snakes, little grebes, moorhen and coots. The southern end towards Poyser's Bridge is excellent for dragonflies. The canal can be explored from the towpath between Cromford Wharf and Ambergate, a distance of just over five miles. The walk from Cromford Wharf to High Peak Junction is suitable for pushchair's and wheel chairs. We manage the section from Cromford to Ambergate for recreation and wildlife. The canal has a very rich and diverse wildlife running through the attractive Derwent Valley and part of it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve can be accessed from the north end at Whatstandwell or at the southern end from Ambergate by a towpath off Chase Road. The old towing path which follows the canal is a public footpath - please note that this path is narrow and uneven in places. Birdswood, a restored narrow boat is run on scheduled trips through the year by the Friends of Cromford Canal. Open to all members of the public. Come and enjoy a peaceful journey along the canal, from Cromford Wharf to High Peak Junction, introduced by a booming announcement from the FCC President, Brian Blessed. Birdswood is also available for private hire and for specialist educational trips. Limited canoeing is permitted on the Cromford Canal between Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction. Because of the sensitive nature of the canal, numbers are strictly controlled. There's a Changing Places toilet for use by the public in the car park at Cromford Wharf.
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- PRS48Brisbane, Australia167 contributionsSo much to see and do here!The canal combines great natural beauty with significant industrial history. Cromford has much to offer: canal, Arkwright's mill, the Scarthin pond, beautiful old railway station and lovely views over the meadows. Florence Nightingale lived nearby. A recommended walk is through the canal tunnel all the way to Whatstandwell, possibly returning by train.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 7 October 2023
- RichardPlymouth, United Kingdom30 contributionsCromford and High Peak Railway.Been on my bucket list for a while and finally made it. Walked up Sheep Pasture Incline to the winding house at the top. Plenty of industrial architecture to see and found it fascinating the way the whole railway worked. Visited in February so had the place virtually to ourselves. Would imagine even better in Spring or Summer. Limited time here so will return later during the year.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 16 February 2024
- al23 contributionsEASY WALKINGWe very much enjoyed our walks along the canal whilst staying in Cromford. The path was easily passable in spite of heavy rain. Links to the High Peaks Trail at High Peak Junction.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 March 2024
- Robert MStoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom156 contributionsLittle canal terminusWe visited the Cromford terminus with a double wharf, cafe, outlets and water courses. Plenty of parking and nice setting close to the Cromford Mill. Canal walk to Ambergate and High Peak Junction available. Interesting visit.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 29 June 2024
- Everett BLondon, United Kingdom56 contributionsBeautifulBeautiful canal, for either walking or a canal boat ride -- preferably in decent weather. The latter only has service on weekends and Wednesdays. It has an informative guide and friendly staff (who serve tea and biscuits).Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten 8 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
576 reviews
Excellent
346
Very good
197
Average
26
Poor
4
Terrible
3
magsBournemouth
bournemouth144 contributions
Aug 2020
Bit pongy to start due to water works close by. Had a good leg stretch to the end of the basin, No canal boats as its not a working canal. Cafe and ice cream with places to sit and relax. Unfortunately the cafe was extremely slow to serve people, and there are restrictions in place to how many can go in to queue. We felt we had had a good walk when we arrived back at the car, A great walk for dogs. owners Quite hard to social distance on the path.
Written 11 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter H
Belper, UK183 contributions
Feb 2020
The canal is lovely - but it is a shame that is now disconnected from the UK canal system and is, therefore, of limited use.
It has great potential for walking and other recreational activities, but once again, greedy council parking charges make it unattractive for locals to visit on a regular basis. Visitors may well give in and pay the parking fees, but will they return??
It is a shame that we do not make better use of these places
It has great potential for walking and other recreational activities, but once again, greedy council parking charges make it unattractive for locals to visit on a regular basis. Visitors may well give in and pay the parking fees, but will they return??
It is a shame that we do not make better use of these places
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barrym48
Bolton, UK576 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We walked this canal from withstandwell to cromford and loved it as many seem to do because we did it on Saturday and it was heaving. The only trouble is that many people cycle down it and a lot of people take dogs. Not a problem except that it's quite narrow and we all have to think about social distancing.
Written 23 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom B
Chesterfield, UK973 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Plenty of parking but pay andvdisplay and doesn't take card so you need change but across the road at Arkwright Mill you can use cards.
The walk along the canal is very pleasant and a mile away is High Peak Junction.
Get a drink and a sandwich, toilets too. The oldest railway workshops in the country, water tower and guards van right alongside the canal, river Derwent in the valley and the A6 running above you the Matlock to Derby railway active line right there to. Heritage abounds. Steam pumping house and aqueduct just a bit further on.
Amazing places.
The walk along the canal is very pleasant and a mile away is High Peak Junction.
Get a drink and a sandwich, toilets too. The oldest railway workshops in the country, water tower and guards van right alongside the canal, river Derwent in the valley and the A6 running above you the Matlock to Derby railway active line right there to. Heritage abounds. Steam pumping house and aqueduct just a bit further on.
Amazing places.
Written 6 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony G
Cricklade, UK845 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
Park here or across the road at Cromford Mills and head away along the tow path towards High Peak Junction or Whatstandwell. The first is about a mile and the second three miles. This is basically an out and back the same way walk. High Peak Junction cafe offers drinks and snacks. The tow path is well constructed and despite some heavy showers wasn’t muddy. We found it very tranquil in-spite of the proximity to the railway and the A6. Would recommend.
Written 19 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynda G
Bedworth16 contributions
Aug 2023
Walked along the canal from Cromford Mills to the Lea Pump house. It is only just over a mile, but suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and today there were boat trips and canoes. The towpath is fairly wide and there are lots to see along the way. There is a cafe and art exhibition at the start, then past the dinosaur there are views over the woods to the railway line. Over a small bridge there is the old railway workshop, with a cafe and toilets. The old railway must have been an engineering masterpiece - it has hills! Past the pump house, the canal narrows, and there are views over the Derwent River. There is a new attraction on the canal, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust have restored Aqueduct Cottage and given access to Lea Woods - a real gem and not to be missed.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thinker T
Nottingham, UK7 contributions
Jul 2023
Beautiful tranquil spot, the walk from the cafe in Cromford to the Leawood Pump House is fully accessible and flat and takes you through lush woodland. Toilets are usually clean, free, and parking is fairly priced. The canal is home to many ducks and other wildlife. There is another cafe by the pump house with a wonderful view of the Derwent River from the aqueduct. I come here fairly often and it is always a peaceful and uplifting walk.
I recently went on a (powered) Birdwoods Canal Boat tour and this was a lovely way to take in the canal and learn more about the canals important contribution in the development of the Derwent Mills.
I recently went on a (powered) Birdwoods Canal Boat tour and this was a lovely way to take in the canal and learn more about the canals important contribution in the development of the Derwent Mills.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PRS48
Brisbane, Australia167 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The canal combines great natural beauty with significant industrial history. Cromford has much to offer: canal, Arkwright's mill, the Scarthin pond, beautiful old railway station and lovely views over the meadows. Florence Nightingale lived nearby. A recommended walk is through the canal tunnel all the way to Whatstandwell, possibly returning by train.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy P
10 contributions
Mar 2023
Did this last time in October 22. Took my mobility scooter along the path along the canal. Cafe and old work sheds at end. The pumping station was amazing. Refurbishing the old canal cottages. Fascinating looking over the viaduct to the river below. From the cafe you can walk the very very steep hill to Black Rock. Never did this as my mobility scooter wldnt of made it.. you can however walk down from Black Rock - views to Richard Arkwright family home. The hill down from Black rock is extremely steep. Not for bikes or disabled people so we drove down to Cromford canal and went along the footpath. Stunning as usual xx
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert M
Stoke-on-Trent, UK156 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
We visited the Cromford terminus with a double wharf, cafe, outlets and water courses. Plenty of parking and nice setting close to the Cromford Mill. Canal walk to Ambergate and High Peak Junction available. Interesting visit.
Written 29 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,can I walk from matlock bath spa hotel along the canal to cromford mill?
Written 3 August 2020
No - the Canal starts on the opposite side of the road to Cromford (Arkwright's) Mill. You'll need to walk along the path beside the road to get to the canal but look out for some gates on your left as you approach the crossroads and do the last bit alongside the river.
Written 16 August 2020
Does the park & ride car-park have a height barrier?
Written 28 August 2018
Last time I was there it was Park & Walk & there was no height restriction. I’ve just looked on google street view & there was no height barrier when the pic was taken.
Access is much easier at the Cromford end than any other points (e.g. Ambergate)
Written 31 August 2018
Hi
Are there any restrictions or notices in relation to canoeing/paddle boarding up the canal?
is there a launch fee or anything or is this just open to all.
thinking of taking the kids canoeing at the weekend
Thanks
Jamie
Written 26 July 2018
Hi Jamie.
Sorry for the delay in responding.
We didn’t notice any signs in relation to canoeing/paddle boarding, however, there’s only a short stretch of canal still in use, maybe a mile, so not ideal.
Hilton
Written 18 August 2018
We are looking for a walk in The Peak District/Derbyshire, that is ideally in a loop so we can return to where we started and pushchair friendly. A pub would be nice also to get lunch but not essential. Can anyone advise if this walk meets the criteria? Or failing that, is there one that is? Thanks
Written 4 May 2018
British canals were designed to transport goods from one place to another so, to answer your question, no - Cromford Canal is not built in a loop. This information is easily obtainable from any map of the area.
Written 4 July 2019
Do the boat have wheelchair access?
Written 2 March 2018
no there is no wheel chair access onto the boat
Written 21 March 2018
we are coming by car where is the best place to park and the best parts of the canal please
Written 19 April 2017
You can park on cromford meadows which can be accessed from near cromford crossroads, and there's also parking at high peak junction. Both are pay and display. Either are good. Both are next to the canal.
Written 26 April 2017
Didn't see anyone fishing, then again not a fisher myself. Sorry!
Written 18 September 2016
Is 'Birdswod'accessible for older people with ambulatory disabilities or folk in wheelchairs?
Written 11 March 2016
Hi, we really regret that as a 1930s ex-working narrow boat, Birdswood is not wheelchair accessible. There is a high iron gunwale, with two steps up and then several steps down into the cabin.
There are always crew members on hand to assist the public with boarding and disembarking, and people with quite severe lower limb mobility issues have enjoyed trips with us. However, we don't have a cradle or hoist, and customers need to be able to articulate their legs to cope with steps that are about 7 inches apart and fairly steep.
If travellers use a chair but are semi-ambulant, we have found that they usually manage to get on and off OK, and there's space on board or on the boat's flat roof for a lightweight folding chair.
Written 21 March 2016
Where is the parking facilities
Written 27 October 2015
CountrysideService
Matlock, United Kingdom
Hi Julie,
Pay and Display parking is available at Cromford Wharf, DE4 3RP, or at High Peak Junction, DE4 5AA.
Hope that helps.
Aidan Rumble, Countryside Ranger
Written 12 November 2015
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