Woodland Walks
The Great British Car Journey is located on the site of the old Derwent Wireworks which borders several historic and popular woodland areas which are ideal for exploring and dog walking. You can purchase a walk guide at reception which will entitle you to park all day if you want to take advantage of our unique location in the Derwent Valley Heritage area.Â
Shining Cliff Woods
You can get a wristband from reception which allows you access over the private bridge on the River Derwent to the rear of the Derwent Wireworks site then you turn right and walk to the end of the lane to reach Shining Cliff woods where you have several walk optionsÂ
- Walk on woodland paths to the famous “Betty Kenny Tree” which according to local legend was the source of the nursery rhyme Rock-a-bye BabyÂ
- Take a 2 mile circular walk past the Shining Cliff and Shining Cliff Hostel
- Take a 1 mile stroll by Peatpits Brook to the reservoir
Shining Cliff Woods are an ancient woodland which was part of the royal hunting forest of Duffield Frith and is now a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The wood supports a diverse bird community including warblers, flycatchers and bramblings. In the spring, coppiced sycamore trees provide a canopy for a carpet of bluebells
Peatpits Brook Reservoir
A beautiful picturesque spot for a picnic in the heart of Shining Cliff woods.
The reservoir was originally the source of water for the Derwent Wireworks and you can still see the pipes that served the site. It is accessed up a winding woodland path and a wooden footbridge over the Peatpits BrookÂ
You can either walk there and back or turn it into a longer circular walk up past shining cliff
Cromford Canal
If you cross carefully over the A6 you can access Cromford Canal almost directly opposite our entrance. You can then walk in either direction up and down the canal towpath.
The canal is a site of special scientific interest for its entire length from Cromford to Ambergate. The section from Whatstandwell Bridge to Ambergate is a Local Nature Reserve and home to a very rich and diverse wildlife like water vole, grass snakes, little grebes, moorhen, coots & dragonflies.
The footpath is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.