The
High Peak Railway was built around 1827. There were nine
Inclines in all. The first was at High Peak Junction Goods Yard up to Sheep
Pasture Top, with a level for three parts of a mile before climbing the
Middleton Top Incline. Beyond Middleton Top was Hopton Incline that included
a tunnel. It met the Ashbourne to Buxton line at Parsley Hay then onto
Buxton via Hurdlow. The line north from here to Buxton is still in use today
as a Stone quarry line.
Both
branches southwards closed in the mid 60's. During the 70's the branch, from
Ashbourne To Parsley Hay was developed into the Tissington Trail and the
Peak Junction to Parsley Hay via Middleton Top formed the High Peak Trail,
used by walkers, cyclists and Horse riders. It can get a bit muddy and
the heavily wooded areas remain wet even when otherwise dry and sunny.
The
engine house at Sheep Pastures is just a shell but the one at Middleton Top
is fully preserved and the stationary engine is operated by air pressure for
demonstration. Off the railway but linked by the Cromford interchange
depot at Wharf Depot Leawood engine is also in working condition and is
ran on a number of set days throughout the year, as at Middleton Top. You
need to check when the engines are being operated.
The
Peak District is naturally scenic with steep climbs up to 2000 feet, with
fine limestone. The railway inclines are, 1 in 8 and 1 in 9 and should only
be tackled if you know you can manage them and allow for slow progress over
these sections. An easier way is to drive or take the bus to Middleton
Visitor Center and walk back down the inclines, but of course, you need to
get back up to Middleton afterwards.
I
did the walks over two visits. On the first visit the skies opened up as I
reached Sheep Pastures summit and had to give up and walk back down and back
to Whatstandwell for my train home. On the second visit I checked out the
local buses and caught the No. 6.1 Derby to Matlock bus with a change at
Wirksworth for Middleton. This is one of those strange services where
the Derby bus doesn't stop at Middleton on the way to Matlock but does so on
the way back! I had a 15-minute wait for the bus at Wirksworth, which added
to the overall time of getting there. Just to add to the strange arrangement
the Middleton bus is also number 6.1 but only runs between Wirksworth and
Middleton. You need to ask for the bus stop Middleton Top, or Middleton
Visitor's Center. There is a few minutes walk up a side road by the bus stop
that takes you directly into the center. Unfortunately, the bus driver on
this occasion got me wrong and took me well past this spot and dropped me
off by the viaduct at Steeple grange that gave me a walk up to the site of
Sheephouse Station, where I could get onto the viaduct, which also meant
that I had to walk up Middleton incline just to get to where I planned to
start from then walk back towards High Peak Junction again. As I didn't want
to be later than catching the 16.46 from Whatstandwell this put a bit of a
limit on how long I could hang about at any one place of interest..
After
a good look around Middleton Top and enjoying a bit of refreshment at the
Visitor's Center I had a nice relaxed walk back down the two inclines over
the 3 miles to High Peak Junction then from there the mile and three quarter
canal side walk back to Whatstandwell station. Sadly, both days proved to be
very dull and overcast but at least it didn't rain during my second visit.
There are visitor centers at most of the main centers of interest such as at
Hopton and Parsley Hay.
My
first walk started from Whatstandwell Station, which is on the Derby-Matlock
branch line. There is an hourly train service, departing Derby around 00.50
to the hour and back from Whatstandwell station around 00.46 to the hour for
Derby.
High
Peak Junction is just over a mile from Whatstandwell. You join the track bed
by walking along the A6 until you come to a wooden post indication High Peak
Junction and take the steep walk down to track bed level. The path is in a
heavily wooded area and can be quite messy after rainfall. Suitable footwear
is necessary and that goes for the whole trail in general. You pass a
long closed garage and then Holmsford Cottage Inn. The sign post for
dropping down to the High Peak Junction track bed is a little beyond that. A
little further on and you will come to the opening to Canal Wharf and
further along again the A6 again for the High Peak Visitor Center.
For
the Canal path to High Peak Goods you join the canal footpath by walking
from the station to the road junction by the Derwent Inn, then up the hill
for a few yards and the opening is on your left before crossing the bridge
over the canal. The road continues on to Crich village. The Canal walk is
closer to two miles as it heads north of the railway for some distance
before meeting up with it again at Canal Wharf then onto High Peak
Visitor Center.
You can drive directly to the Visitor's Center,
where there is a car park or take the direct Derby-Matlock bus, which has an
hourly service.
1.
High
Peak Junction To Sheep Pasture Top
2. Sheep Pasture Top To
Middleton Bottom
3. Middleton Bottom To Middleton
Top 4. Cromford Canal Walk
(Leawood Pumping
Station)
5. Whatstandwell
Stations (Old & New)
