Barbecues are not permitted at any of our sites.
It lies a mile to the southeast of Cromford village and is in the beautiful Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. It is a haven for wildlife and is the ideal location for a stroll or a heritage or nature walk.
There are a variety of buildings from the former Cromford and High Peak Railway - one of the first long-distance railways which were built on canal principles.
The Cromford Canal can be explored between Cromford Wharf and Ambergate, a distance of just over 5 miles. The High Peak Trail starts here at High Peak Junction and continues for 17.5 miles to Dowlow near Buxton.
For information and a warm welcome call in at the High Peak Junction Visitor Centre where there are refreshments, gifts and a variety of maps, walk leaflets and books.
Here you can step back in time with the fascinating audio tour for a small fee of £2, where you will discover the history of Cromford Canal and the Cromford and High Peak Railway. You can also visit the old Railway Workshops for free.
A canal aqueduct over the River Derwent and the magnificent Leawood Pump House are just a few minutes walk away. Leawood Pump is a steam-powered beam engine which operates on some summer weekends and bank holidays. A number of waymarked walks start from High Peak Junction.
Visitor centre summer opening hours
Easter to October from 10am to 5pm.
Visitor centre winter opening hours
Weekends only, November to Easter from 10.30am to 4pm.
Christmas and New Year - 26 December 2024 to 3 January 2025 subject to weather.
Build a bird box with Santa's elves
High Peak Junction Workshops on Saturday 21 December 2024.
Give wildlife a present this Christmas by building a bird box for you to take home.
A perfect homemade Christmas gift. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking is essential.
Time: 10am to 3pm. Cost £10 per box.
To book and further information telephone: 01629 533298.
Meet at High Peak Junction Visitor Centre, DE4 5AA (signposted from the A6 at Cromford).
Railway workshop forge days
Have-a-go at being a blacksmith on the historic forge and make a poker or toasting fork to take home and keep.
From 11am to 4pm on the following dates:
- Friday 27 December 2024
- Saturday 28 December 2024
- Saturday 22 February 2025
Participants must be over 11-years-old.
Cost: £15 per poker or toasting fork. Booking is essential, telephone: 01629 533298.
You can also do the audio tour of the area while here.
Introduction to blacksmithing
Introduction to blacksmithing at High Peak Junction workshop from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and later from 1pm to 4pm on the following dates:
- Sunday 29 December 2024
- Saturday 15 February 2025
To book and further information telephone: 01629 533298.
You can view or download the countryside events brochure.
Cost: £50 half-day session. Booking is essential.
Meet at: High Peak Junction Visitor Centre, DE4 5AA (signposted from the A6 at Cromford).
Parking charges apply. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Join us for a unique opportunity to learn basic blacksmithing techniques in the oldest railway workshop in the world!
Our enthusiast blacksmiths will walk you through the creation of a simple metalworking object: such as a BBQ fork, fire poker, or coat hook.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of blacksmithing, lighting and managing the fire, and all the techniques you need – using the workshop’s original forge and hand-pumped bellows dating from the 1830s.
At the end of the half-day session, you’ll end up with a wonderful hand-made object that you can take away with you!
Audio tours
Hire one of our audio handsets and let Tapper Jack take you on a self-guided tour of High Peak Junction and the Cromford Canal, educational and fun. Only £2.50
Boat trips
Birdswood is the trip boat belonging to the Friends of the Cromford Canal (FCC). There are scheduled boat trips throughout the year.
Wildlife
The canal is a haven for wildlife (it's a Site of Special Scientific Interest). Little grebes and water voles can be seen throughout the year, in summer look out for dragonflies, damselflies and hoverflies.
Parking
The car park machines on this site take cash, contactless, and Pay by Phone payments.
School visits
We have a number of opportunities for school visits along the Cromford Canal. Visit the Derwent Valley Mills website to find out more about our ‘Fantastic Transport’ or ‘Wonders of STEAM’.
Self-led visits for primary schools include free to download activity guides with resources available to pick up on site: engineering kits, historical photo packs and other activities.
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.
Audio guides are available for secondary groups. We’re happy to discuss your requirements. You can also visit Leawood Pumphouse with your school group.
There are ‘in steam’ days open to the public throughout the year or you can book this for your group.
Activity guides are free to download for you to self-lead a visit exploring science, art, history and engineering or you can book a volunteer to help you explore this amazing building.
Why not combine a visit with a stop off at High Peak Junction, Aqueduct Cottage or a trip on the Birdswood canal boat?
Volunteer
We're looking for volunteers to work in our railway workshops. Find out more about the role and other opportunities to become a countryside volunteer.