ABOUT THE SITE

High Peak Junction

The Cromford and High Peak Railway which opened in 1831, completed the link to the Manchester area the canal promoters had intended to provide. It crossed the high ground between Cromford and Whaley Bridge by means of a series of inclines and stationary steam engines. These were linked by level sections on which the wagons were hauled by horses, and later by steam locomotives. The junction was created to provide a link for trans-shipping goods between the Cromford and High Peak Railway and the canal. A later link connected the junction to the railway between Ambergate and Matlock.

On the west side of the canal there are several buildings which served the needs of the railway and most notably the railway workshops. This group of buildings was built, rebuilt and enlarged between 1825 and 1865. In the first instance the workshops served the needs of the inclined plane railway and horse-drawn wagons. Later when steam locomotives were introduced to the line the workshop’s functions were extended. Inside the building there are surviving examples of the original fish-bellied cast iron rails used on the Cromford and High Peak Railway.

The Canal

The Cromford Canal ran from Cromford to the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill. It is 23.3 kilometres long. The 10.5 kilometres of canal between Cromford and Ambergate lie within the World Heritage site. The canal was constructed in the early 1790,s by William Jessop and Benjamin Outram. Sir Richard Arkwright was one of the promoters of the canal. The canal was intended as part of a route to Manchester. This route was completed in 1830 when the Cromford and High Peak Railway opened. The canal has several interesting features which include the aqueduct over the river Derwent.

High Peak Junction Workshops on the Cromford Canal

High Peak Junction Workshops on Cromford CanalHow to make a booking

Contact Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service, Middleton Top Visitor Centre, Rise End, Middleton, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 4SS

Telephone 01629 823204

Opening Times

  • Winter: weekends only 10.30 am-4pm
  • Summer: everyday 10.30am-5.30 pm

Admission

  • Workshops: Adults 70p Children 40p
  • Audio guide to the site (including admission) £1.50 per person.
  • Group rate (min 10 = £1)
  • Working with a Ranger: £23.50 for a half day for Derbyshire LEA schools.
  • £40 for a half day for non LEA schools.

To work with a Ranger contact the Middleton Top Visitor Centre on 01629 823204

How to get there

By road – From the A6 at Cromford take Mill Lane past Cromford Mill. High Peak Junction is about 1 mile along this road on the right at Lea Bridge. There is parking for coaches and cars on site.

By train – The Derby to Matlock line travels through the World Heritage Site. The nearest railway station to High Peak Junction is at Cromford. It is possible to walk to High Peak Junction by first following the road towards Cromford Mill (using the pavement) until Cromford Wharf is reached. Then by walking along the towpath of Cromford canal to High Peak Junction. This is about a 25 minute walk. There is also a station adjacent to the canal at Whatstandwell and close to the canal at Ambergate.

By Bus – There is a bus which will stop near to the High Peak Junction Workshops by the car park. The bus runs between Matlock, Ripley and Alfreton and passes by Cromford Mill. There are also bus stops on the A6; care will be required if crossing the A6.

On foot – Walk along the Cromford Canal from Cromford, along the High Peak Trail, or gain access from Whatstandwell or Ambergate.

What is available for school groups?

  • There is a visitor centre and small museum at High Peak Junction which is managed by the Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service. The Countryside Service can offer tours to interpret the heritage of the site to school and college groups. In addition schools can book a session in the railway workshops where they will be given a demonstration of the blacksmith’s work. There are audio guides to the site available from the Visitor Centre. There are also a number of excellent information boards around the site to help with interpretation.
  • Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service welcomes the independent use of High Peak Junction and the canal by educational parties. Please contact the Countryside Service at Middleton Top to talk about the plans for your visit.

Accommodation and classroom - The Wharf Shed

The Wharf Shed was originally a trans-shipment shed where goods were loaded and unloaded between the railway and the canal. The building has been renovated for self catering residential use and can accommodate 28 people.

Contact the Lea Green Centre,

Main Road,
Lea,
Matlock,
Derbyshire,
DE4 5GJ

Telephone 01629534561 for an information booklet.

Site Highlights - Exploration and Discovery

  • Leawood pumphouse. Built in 1849 and a Listed Grade II* building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. A magnificent steam pumping house and engine that can still lift 4 tonnes of water from the River Derwent to the Cromford canal at each stroke of the engine.
  • Wigwell Aqueduct. Scheduled Ancient Monument. Constructed in 1793 to carry the Cromford canal over the river Derwent. The structure is 182.9 metres long, 9.1 metres high and supported by three arches. The one which spans the river is nearly 73 metres in width.
  • Trans-shipment Warehouse or Wharf Shed. Built in 1850 and used as a place where goods would have been unloaded from a canal boat onto the railway. It has a covered canopy under which goods could be loaded. Now used as a self-catering residential centre.
  • The Railway workshops built between 1825-65 and now including a small museum and shop.
  • The railway incline with the railway catch pit and water tower
  • The canal built in the early 1790’s and the various canal features.
  • The Leawood Arm of the canal. Built in 1802 by Peter Nightingale to extend the canal to a wharf at Lea Bridge. It serviced the Nightingale lead works and mills.

Provision for school groups

Toilets

There are toilet facilities on site for males and females and for people with disabilities.

Lunches

There are picnic tables on site for the use of visiting groups.

Shop

There is a shop which sells a range of souvenirs to suit the pocket of visiting school groups. The shop also sells information books and postcards and other items that might supplement a study of the site and help interpret it. A Family Activity Book called Famous People is also available. This book is intended to help families and school groups find out about all the famous people who began the Industrial Revolution in the Derwent Valley, including Richard Arkwright.

Audio Guides

Audio guides are available for use on site. There is a charge of £1.50 to use the guide, which includes admission to the museum. Groups of a minimum of 10 people £1 each.

Baggage Store

It may be possible to arrange with the Visitor Centre staff to store bags while the group is working on site. However the coach park is not far away if the coach is staying with the group.

Equipment

Groups will need to bring their own clip boards and activity sheets.