High Peak Junction
High Peak Junction Area Self-led and Guided Activities for Primary Schools
High Peak Junction was a transport hub on the Cromford Canal from around 1830. They are some of the world’s oldest railway workshops and a haven of heritage and wildlife. Explore the workshops, canal, railways, rivers, aqueducts and bridges and even book for pupils to have-a-go at blacksmithing on the forge and make a poker to keep.
Leawood Pumphouse was built in 1849 to top up the canal with water from the River Derwent. The restored steam engine can lift about 10 tonnes of water each minute up to a height of 10 metres. There are ‘in steam’ days open to the public throughout the year or you can book this specially for your group. Why not combine a visit with a stop off at High Peak Junction, Aqueduct Cottage or a trip on the Birdswood canal boat?
We have two fabulous self-led mix and match activity days with a variety of activities to choose from. Full resources and Teachers Guide are available to download below. You can also borrow a box of resources to support these self-led activity sessions, which are available to pick up from High Peak Junction. Please email DVMWHS@derbyshire.gov.uk to arrange to book the resource box or to book your class in at High Peak Junction. Choose from The Wonders of STEAM – aimed mainly at KS2, or Fantastic Transport – aimed mainly at KS1 (although they are interchangeable, if you want to mix and match, or make a longer day of it).
The Wonders of STEAM Self-led Activities for Key Stage 2
This inspiring STEAM themed day allows your pupils to discover the history, engineering and science behind the world’s first long distance horse drawn railway. There are opportunities to take a ride on an historic narrow boat and to explore High Peak Junction, one of the oldest remaining railway workshops in the world. You can download the Teachers Guide for KS2 and the resources for this pick and mix day of self-led activities along Cromford Canal and around High Peak Junction here. You can book to borrow the box of physical resources from High Peak Junction by emailing: DVMWHS@derbyshire.gov.uk
A Teacher’s Guide KS2: The Wonders of STEAM
Cromford Canal Transport Engineers Activity Guide and Resources
High Peak Junction Industrial Art Activity Guide and Resources
High Peak Junction Investigate Science in Action Activity Guide
High Peak Junction Science Spotters Activity Guide and Resources
Leawood Pumphouse 3D Sketching Activity Guide and Resources
Fantastic Transport Self-led Activities for Key Stage 1
A WOW! day to remember which could include a ride on a train or a bus, a ‘cruise’ on a canal boat, a wonderful walk through nature and a chance to explore High Peak Junction, one of the oldest remaining railway workshops in the world. You can download the Teachers Guide for KS1 and the resources for this pick and mix day of self-led activities along Cromford Canal and around High Peak Junction here. You can book to borrow the box of physical resources from High Peak Junction by emailing: DVMWHS@derbyshire.gov.uk
A Teacher’s Guide KS1: Fantastic Transport
Cromford Canal Eye Spy Activity Guide and Resources
Cromford Canal Sensory Exploration Activity Guide and Resources
High Peak Junction Art Collectors Activity Guide and Resources
High Peak Junction Photo Hunt Activity Guide and Resources
High Peak Junction Picture the Past Activity Guide and Resources
High Peak Junction Timeline Activity Guide and Resources
For more information or to book a visit email DVMWHS@Derbyshire.gov.uk
Other Resources to Support your Visits
There are other resources available on this website to support your visits to Cromford Canal and High Peak Junction, which you can use during your visit or pre-/post-visit.
Introducing the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
If you visit the Cromford Canal and High Peak Junction you are in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, so you may want to give your class a very brief introduction explaining why this is an important place.
Cromford Canal Heritage and Wildlife
This page contains a virtual journey along the Cromford Canal, via a Nearpod Session, which has lot of activities to complete along the way. It also contains a virtual tour of the back cabin of the canal boat, Birdswood.
More ideas for sketching the area with instructions to help children and adults explore their creativity.
