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

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

Ladybower Reservoir to Baslow

River Derwent from Ladybower Reservoir

Baslow to Matlock

Chatsworth House

Matlock to Belper

River Derwent at Matlock Bath

Belper to Derby

Darley Abbey

Derby to Derwent Mouth

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

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.

References

  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.