Cromford Canal/High Peak Junction
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| View South along the Canal at High Peak Junction |
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OS Maps: Landranger Sheet 119, Explorer: The Peak District White Peak area OL1 Habitat Canal, woodland, river, sewage farm Directions The canal runs parallel to the River Derwent south east from the Cromford Wharf. The best areas for bird watchers can be found between the Wharf at SK301569 and Whatstandwell at SK333543. Access the the Wharf is off the A6 at Cromford - watch out for the peculiar traffic light/junction layout. Car parks are situated at the Wharf and at High Peak Junction (small and fills quickly at weekends). Access 24 hours all year. Cromford Wharf car park (SK300570) is pay & display. Other parking adjascent. High Peak Junction car park (SK315560) is free. Train Details Cromford Station is 5 mins walk from Cromford Wharf and Whatstandwell Station is right next to the canal. Bus Details Doyles services 140/141 (Mon-Sat) &Stagecoach/TM Travel 140 (Sundays) Matlock - Alfreton/Ripley pass both car parks.
TM Travel 254 (Suns & Bank Hol Mons) from Ilkeston, Heanor, Ripley & Sandiacre also passes both car parks.
Trent 'Transpeak' Derby - Manchester (via Buxton) and Trent 6.1 both serve Cromford
(5 mins walk from the Wharf). Doyles 144 Ripley-Crich service also calls at Whatstandwell at the southern end of the Canal.
Facilities Toilets are available at the Wharf and at High Peak Junction where there is a small shop selling ice cream and snacks. The canal tow path is flat and disabled access is good What to see A good all-year site for Little Grebe, Dipper (on the River Derwent), Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper and Nuthatch, the latter has been known to work the old Pumping House chimney at High Peak Junction.. The woods are full of woodpeckers and warblers in the spring - Blackcap and Garden Warbler are common. Keep you eyes open for Pied Flycatcher. In winter the River Derwent is good place to see Goosander and possibly Red Breasted Merganser and the beech trees hold good numbers of Siskin which sometimes linger well into Spring. Look up and you are almost certain to see Sparrowhawk There are several species of the more common dragonflies and damselflies on the site and butterflies such as Orange Tip and Speckled Wood can also be seen. The whole canal length is a good area to see Water Voles. DOS Verdict Another good family site with plenty to see including some Peak Park specials such as Dipper. (Thanks also to Brian Cuttell for some of the above) |