The Derwent Valley Heritage Way (DVHW) is a waymarked footpath along the Derwent Valley through the Peak District (as far as Rowsley). The walk starts from Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District National Park via Chatsworth, the scenery around the Derbyshire Dales, and through the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. It follows the Riverside Path through Derby and continues onwards to the historic inland port of Shardlow. Journey's end is at Derwent Mouth where the River Derwent flows into the River Trent.
The walk was established by The Derwent Valley Trust, which was set up in 1996. The route was planned and developed by Derbyshire Countryside Ranger, Rick Jillings. The Duke of Devonshire opened the walk at Chatsworth House in 2003.
Route Places on the route and highlights on or near the trail:
Ladybower Reservoir to Baslow
Ladybower Reservoir: Heatherdene car park Thornhill Mytham Bridge Shatton Bridge over the River Noe Leadmill Bridge Hathersage Grindleford Froggatt: Froggatt Woods, Froggatt Bridge Calver: Calver Bridge Bubnell
Baslow to Matlock
Baslow Chatsworth Park: Chatsworth House Calton Lees Rowsley River Wye Caudwell's Mill Churchtown Darley Bridge Cawdor Quarry
Matlock to Belper
Matlock: Hall Leys Park, Bentley Brook Matlock Bath High Tor summit: Derwent Gorge Heights of Abraham cable car Masson Mill Cromford: Pavilion, Arkwright’s Cromford Mill Cromford Canal: High Peak Junction, Leawood Pump House Whatstandwell Ambergate: River Amber The Birches (Woodland Trust wood) North and East Mills
Belper to Derby
Belper Coppice Brook Makeney Duffield Bridge Peckwash Mill Rigga Quarry Little Eaton Darley Abbey: Darley Abbey Mills, toll bridge Darley Park Derby Riverside Path at Handyside Bridge Derby Silk Mill River Gardens
Derby to Derwent Mouth
Derby: Pride Park, Alvaston Park Elvaston Castle Country Park Borrowash: Borrowash Bridge Ambaston Shardlow: Heritage Centre, Clock Warehouse Trent and Mersey Canal Derwent Mouth: Derwent Mouth Lock, River Trent
Access Train stations: Bamford, Hathersage, Rowsley South, Darley Dale, Matlock, Matlock Bath, Cromford, Whatstandwell, Ambergate, Belper, Duffield, Derby.
The route is covered by 4 OS Explorer maps:
OL1 - The Peak District (Dark Peak) OL24 - The Peak District (White Peak) 259 - Derby 260 - Nottingham
Connected paths: Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk, Centenary Way (Derbyshire), High Peak Trail, Midshires Way.
The official guide book is 'The Derwent Valley Heritage Way' published by Bannister Publications, 2ed, 2014.
External links Official Site of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
References