High Peak Junction — Attraction in Derbyshire Dales

We visited on a cold and damp winters day in January, so this review doesn't catch the site at it's best. Thats not to say it was uninteresting. To anyone with an interest in history and the beginnings of the industrial revolution this could be an important place to come to. We walked from the car park at Cromford Wharf, a flat easy tow path stroll of about a mile. Volunteers were clearing the canal of dead vegetation, presumably so the narrow boats have easier journeys. The site consists of the Cromford Canal, and the remains of the steep railway inclined trackbed at the start of the old Cromford and High Peak Railway, now the High Peak Trail. You can still see part of the old mechanisms and buildings . Some have been converted into a Workshop ,gift shop and tea shop, open weekends only until Easter. All conveniently accessed by a small car park if you don't fancy the walk from either end of the canal. If you have walked , you can rest if you so wish on the benches canalside. A short distance along the canal is Leawood Pump House where a working beam engine can be seen at set times...

Small but interesting exhibition about how the railway and canal originally came together here. Very steep assent to the high peak trail, but flat walks along the canal also available!

If coming by car, note that Google maps will take you to the nearest point on the road to the site, which is NOT where you need to be! Instead, look for the car park on the other side of the river (which is not currently accessible! - Aug 2021) or park in the car parks at the nearby canal basin (search for Small but interesting exhibition about how the railway and canal originally came together here. Very steep assent to the high peak trail, but flat walks along the canal also available!

If coming by car, note that Google maps will take you to the nearest point on the A6 to the site, which is NOT where you need to be! Instead, look for the car park on Lea Road, on the other side of the river (NB not currently accessible due to a road closure ! - Aug 2021) or park in the car parks at the nearby canal basin (search for Cromford Mills, or Cromford...

Visited while on a walk along the Cromford canal. Parked at the Cromford canal head and took the flat towpath along the canal - an easy walk which looks suitable for push and wheel chairs. Found much to see on the site, the start of the rail incline and toad guard vans, the extensive workshops and a very friendly staffed shop selling drinks and snacks as well as mementoes and local interest guides. Dogs were welcomed with water available and M & F toilets include disabled on site. Plenty of picnic tables around the site and lots of information boards. Great for all the family but will pose a decision - return to Cromford back via the canal or take the old railway incline (Very Steep!!) back via Black rockS !. For the less able parking is available off Lea road ( other side of the river Derwent )with just a short...