Located in North Derbyshire. You could very easily spend a whole day in the Derwent valley, a really lovely area at all time of year.The valley contains a three reservoir network with 2 very photogenic stone dams. Access via A57, Sheffield to Manchester road, very near the bridge over the Ladybower Reservoir, there's a turn sign posted 'Derwent Valley'. On the map Bamford is the nearest village. See this Google map/satellite image - where it says Snake Pass in the middle of the map - that's the Derwent Valley turn off on the A57. The road along the Derwent valley is long and ends in a bus terminus / turning circle and footpath - so you go out the way you came in. (no through road). About half way up the valley road there's a car park, visitor center, cafe and toilets. From this car park there's an easy walk along the side of a stream to the base of the Derwent Dam. This sometimes has water flowing over it - though not in the summer when water levels are low. |
It weekends the road ends at the visitor center, this is because it becomes single track with very few passing places, so at busy weekends cars cannot go any further up the valley. You can still walk or cycle - but it's still a few miles to Howden reservoir.
During weekdays cars can carry on to Howden along the single track road - it's not too bad a road, just long and slow as it follows the edge of first Derwent and then Howden Reservoir.
There are a few places to pull off the road, all with good access to the waters edge. It is worth the effort to go to the end of Howden reservoir, the picture above right, was taken from there. A good photo spot is right at the very far end of Howden where the road ends. Great views without leaving the car. However, if you do want a longish walk, you carry on along the gravel footpath, then there are a lot of mountain streams, woodland and a stone bridge. |
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Features 3 Reservoirs 2 Stone Dams Cafe, info center |
Toilets Miles of Footpaths Peace and quiet free car parking |
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Peak District National Park Authority Discover Derbyshire and the Peak District |
Peak District View History of the Peak District - Neighbouring industrial cities such as Manchester, Sheffield and the north Midlands - the Peak District is within an hours journey of millions of people. www.peakdistrict-nationalpark.com |
Derwent Valley - North DerbyshireDerbyshire Peak District. You could very easily spend a whole day in the Derwent valley, a really lovely area at all times of year. A three reservoir network runs throughout the valley.Click here for more information and photographs of the Derwent Valley in the Peak District. |
Longshaw Estate & Padley GorgeNorth Peak District near Grindleford. Large expanse of moorland, woods and streams all within the Peak District National Park with loads of footpaths & mountain views.Click here for more info and pictures of the Longshaw Estate and Padley Gorge in the Derbyshire Peak District |
Hardwick HallNorth Derbyshire near Chesterfield. Hardwick Hall is one of Britain's most complete Elizabethan houses. Large areas of parklands, orchard and herb garden to explore. The country park contains rare breeds of cattle and sheep.Click here for more Photographs and info on Hardwick Hall |
Calke AbbeyA large Baroque mansion surrounded by 600 acres on parkland nature reserve. With beautiful walled flower and kitchen gardens.National Trust owned since 1980. More wallpapers & info about Calke Abbey and Gardens in Derbyshire |
Markeaton ParkMarkeaton Park in Derby was originally part of the Markeaton Hall Estate. Markeaton Park has a fairly large lake and mill pond with the usual collection of tame waterfowl. There are the many formal gardens filled with various colorful flowers around a small fountain.Click here for lots more photos and info about Markeaton Park |
Carsington Water (Reservoir)Carsington Water is a very large reservoir located between Matlock and Ashbourne in Derbyshire. A fairly new reservoir finished in the 1990's.Click here for more wallpapers and tourist info about Carsington Water in Derbyshire. |
Dovedale ValleyA beautiful valley carved by the River Dove in the South of the Peak District. With lots of footpaths along the riverside and up the surrounding hills.More Wallpapers and info about Dovedale in Derbyshire |
Creswell CragsA limestone gorge with lots of caves and smaller fissures. Stone tools and remains of animals found in the caves by archaeologists provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago.More wallpapers & info about Creswell Craggs in Derbyshire |
Crich Tramway Village is a lovingly restored period village that is also home to the National Tramway Museum and its world renowned archives. Just 8 miles from junction 28 of the M1, Crich can also be easily accessed using the A38, the A6, the A61 and the A52. www.tramway.co.uk
The Height of Abraham is one of the Peak District’s oldest and most popular days out, with stunning countryside views. With spectacular underground caverns, stunning views and acres of beautiful woodland. In recent times however, the Heights has become rightly famous for its landmark Cable Car system which was introduced in 1984 - the first of its kind in the whole of the British Isles.