Sites of Interest:
around Cromford, Derbyshire
Prehistory
Industrial History
Walks
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Minninglow (or Minning Low) is a hill in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, located within the White Peak area at grid reference SK209573. Within the clump of trees crowning the hill are a Neolithicchambered tomb and two Bronze Agebowl barrows.
The chambered tomb (Derbyshire's largest) and barrows are a Scheduled Monument.[1] The chambered tomb comprises an oval cairn of 45 by 38 metres (148 by 125 ft) surviving to a height of 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) and containing two complete chambers made of limestone slabs, and at least three other incomplete chambers. The tomb was excavated by Thomas Bateman in 1843 and 1851 and was described by Nikolaus Pevsner as "one of the most impressive of Derbyshire's surviving prehistoric burials".[2] The barrow is considered to be a multi-period site, the oldest chamber dating from the Early Neolithic period but with other finds indicating use in the Late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, and also the Roman period. The two bowl barrows, also excavated by Bateman, date from the Bronze Age and also show signs of Roman disturbance.[1]
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Arbor Low is a well-preserved Neolithic henge in the Derbyshire Peak District, England.[2] It lies on a Carboniferous Limestone plateau known as the White Peak area. The monument consists of a stone circle surrounded by earthworks and a ditch. (Wikipedia)
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The shelf between Gardom's Edge and Birchen Edge is now moorland used for grazing sheep, but was once inhabited and used for arable farming during the Bronze Age. The area of the settlement is designated as a scheduled monument.[1] (Wikipedia)
There’s lots to see at Gardom’s Edge. If you’re making the journey get in touch and we’ll happily give you more information.
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Middleton Top Engine House is the sole survivor of nine that once stood at the top of every incline along the Cromford and High Peak Railway. It is designated as an Ancient Monument, together with its Butterley beam engine, which in the past hauled the cables up the track. Originally, timber fired the boilers; now it is compressed air that does the job. More Info.
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Magpie Mine is a well-preserved disused lead mine near the village of Sheldon in Derbyshire, England, in the parish of Ashford in the Water. The walled enclosure of five lead mines (Magpie Mine, Dirty Red Soil, Great Red Soil, Maypit and Horsesteps) is a protected Scheduled Monument.[1]
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Explore the iconic restored mills and browse local independent shops to find unique art, crafts, food and gifts. Relax in our welcoming cafés with a selection of delicious seasonal treats. Experience industrial innovation that transformed how we all live and work, forever. Book a tour and discover what Cromford is made of. https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/visit/
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Stanage Edge, or simply Stanage (from "stone edge") is a gritstone escarpment in the Peak District, England, famous as a location for climbing. It lies a couple of miles to the north of Hathersage, and the northern part of the edge forms the border between the High Peak of Derbyshire and Sheffield in South Yorkshire. Its highest point is High Neb at 458 metres (1,503 ft) above sea level. Areas of Stanage were quarried in the past to produce grindstones, and some can still be seen on the hillside—carved, but never removed. (Wikipedia)
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The river valley is part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve and is popular with tourists who visit for its natural environment and wildlife. Natural England manages the reserve which covers five separate dales of the White Peak (Lathkill Dale, Cressbrook Dale, Hay Dale, Long Dale and Monk’s Dale).[2] The dale includes two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and areas designated as Open Access Land in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.[3][4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lathkill_Dale
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A recent Time Team programme reports an excavation on Farley Moor north of Matlock, where a single standing stone is thought to have possibly been part of a larger Bronze Age site. The researchers were able to date the site to 3,700 years ago, on the strength of radio carbon dating of charcoal fragments. But what is not clear is whether other stones in the vicinity were part of the monument or just erratic boulders. The stone is in a recent clearing in the Forestry Commission’s Farley Wood, which was planted about 50 years ago. One significant discovery was that below the stone there is a natural spring, so that the stone could have been a marker of this useful source, which might have been more significant when the water table was higher. https://oldroadsofderbyshire.com/2025/04/04/the-farley-moor-megalith/