Food and Drink in the Derwent Valley

Gosh! We do like our food and drink in the Derwent Valley and we know our visitors are sure to find something to their taste. We can’t name all the fabulous places there are to eat, but we can give you a flavour. So many delicious treats around every corner!

Cromford area

In Cromford, it’s hard to believe the amount of choice there is, for such a small village. From fine dining experiences to the best takeaway fish and chips around. From hearty breakfasts to light lunches and scrumptious homemade cakes for afternoon tea. Try a delicious lunch or snack surrounded by books, or savour a picnic takeaway overlooking the village pond. You can even get a taste of Spain in the prettiest terraced garden imaginable.

Cromford Mills has two licensed cafés offering the diner tasty homemade fayre. You will find one in the mill yard, and the other at the side of the canal. Both have plenty of space for eating inside and out. You can even pick up a bag of food to feed the swans, ducks and other birdlife!

A recent addition to Cromford Wharf is The Counting House Coffee Stop where takeaway snacks and drinks are available. It’s where the Cheese Shop used to be. But don’t worry, you’ll now find this in the mill yard, with its mouth-watering selection of cheeses and chutneys to choose from.

If you need a pitstop on your walk along the canal, High Peak Junction sells a small range of snacks and drinks with plenty of picnic tables to use by the side of the canal.

Of course. along the A6 from Matlock Bath through to Derby, there are many places to pull in and ‘fill up’. Matlock Bath is renowned for catering to the tastes of all of its many visitors, so you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice, with hotels, pubs, tea-rooms, cafes, restaurants and fish and chip shops a-plenty! But we mustn’t forget to mention the delicious places you can find en route in Whatstandwell, Ambergate and Duffield.

Belper

In Belper, as you would expect of a town that won Great British High Street award twice, you can find a wide range of places for breakfast, lunch and dinner: Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italian, French, Moroccan, British, traditional (award winning) fish and chips, vegetarian and vegan speciality restaurants, delis and cafes, and even a chocolatier. Belper was a town famous for nail-making, as well as cotton-spinning, and its legacy is the number of pubs in the town – nail-making was thirsty work! Although some of the pubs have long gone, many have survived and some have very interesting histories!

There’s been a market at Belper since 1749. Now held on the second Saturday of the month, and showcasing local food and drink, you’ll enjoy browsing the stalls filled with traditional local produce. In July and December, visit the food and drink festivals, which fill the town centre with stalls, attractions and music, pulling in the crowds from all around the area.

Milford and Darley Abbey

For small villages, Milford and Darley Abbey have a good choice of eating places  Both have beautiful water-front restaurants, tea rooms and family pub-restaurants. Darley Abbey also has a tapas-style bistro, and a terrace cafe in the park, whilst Milford offers an ethical ice-cream cafe, and fine dining in a former Strutt family residence. At the very top of Sunny Hill, next to a tower built by railway pioneer George Stephenson (see Hidden Heritage) you will find Milford’s newest cafe.

Derby

Derby City has all you could hope for with the widest range of places to eat and caters for every taste and pocket, with chains and independent establishments galore. You’ll be spoilt for choice with cafes and restaurants, eat in or take away, fast food or a more leisurely meal especially around Sadler Gate and Iron Gate.  Also, there’s a huge selection of historic pubs serving real ale and delicious food in relaxed settings.

For more information about places to eat in Derby, see Visit Derby

Without a doubt, you’ll be able to satisfy your appetite in the Derwent Valley – and we know you’ll receive a warm welcome wherever you choose to eat!