The landscape of the Amber Valley is one shaped both by nature and by entrepreneurs, a landscape rich in history and nostalgia...

Travel through this peaceful scenery today and it’s hard to imagine a time when it was the hub of the industrial revolution, helping to transform the world’s manufacturing industries from home-made to factory-made. 

 

Strutt's North Mill, home of the Derwent Valley Visitor Centre

The mills and settlements of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, running from Matlock Bath down to Derby, are now recognised as being key to the world’s early industrial development - none more so than Jedediah Strutt’s impressive North Mill in Belper, one of the most technologically advanced mills of its time. Now home to the Derwent Valley Visitor Centre, the mill’s excellent exhibition traces the evolution of hosiery manufacture and cotton-spinning in the area and also has fascinating displays of early cotton-spinning machinery.

 

The area's villages and towns like Belper and Alfreton (said by legend to have been named after King Alfred, who once occupied a house in King Street) are now great places to explore and offer a good range of shopping facilities and regular markets. Those in search of a bargain should seek out the Amber Valley's many factory shopping outlets, renowned as some of the best in the UK, including the excellent Denby Pottery Visitor Centre. As well as it's famous factory shop, the Centre also offers pottery and glass studio tours and the award-winning Cookery Emporium.

With such spectacular scenery, it’s no surprise that area abounds with excellent walks and trails, many of which are drawn together in the annual Amber Valley and Erewash Walking Festival, Autumn Footprints. Taking place each September, the Festival attracts walkers from around the area and includes guided walks by knowledgeable, experienced guides as well as numerous self-guided trails.

 

You can also follow in the footsteps of the area’s famous - Ellen MacArthur grew up in the village of Whatstandwell and became a record-breaking yachtswoman despite living about as far from the sea as it is possible to get in England!

 

DH Lawrence, Florence Nightingale, Barnes Wallis, inventor of the bouncing bomb and John Flamsteed, one of the pioneers of modern astronomy and the first Astronomer Royal, also have connections with the Amber Valley. You can learn more about them in information leaflets and themed walks, available from the Tourist Information Centre in Ripley.

 

The National Trust's superb historic property, Kedleston Hall has a stunning collection of paintings, sculpture and fine furniture, and is set with 80 acres of Robert Adam-designed landscaped parkland. Royal history, too, has been shaped here in the Amber Valley - standing high above the village of South Wingfield are the ruins of the magnificent Wingfield Manor - witness to one of the key events of English history as it was here that the plot was hatched to overthrow Queen Elizabeth 1 and release the captive Mary Queen of Scots.

 

Heage Windmill

Many of the Amber Valley’s attractions offer a nostalgic glimpse back to past times. The Grade 11 listed Heage Windmill, built in 1797, is the only stone-towered, multi-sailed windmill in England and has many of its original wooden mechanisms still in place. Flour-milling also takes place if the wind conditions are favourable.

 

Crich Tramway Village is home to a superb collection of running trams, set in a beautifully restored period townscape, the buildings of which have been brought in from around the UK, restored and reconstructed brick by brick! The trams run down the cobbled street and out into the breathtaking countryside of the Derwent valley all day long - what’s more, you can ride them as often as you like, perhaps stopping off occasionally for a real taste of the good old days with a visit to the traditional sweet shop, afternoon tea in the old-fashioned tea rooms or perhaps something a little stronger in the Red Lion pub!

  

Midland Railway - ButterleyOr get all steamed up on a seven-mile steam train ride through the stunning Amber Valley countryside at the Midland Railway - Butterley. Set in 35 acres of country park, the collection includes restored locomotives and rolling stock, displays of farm and factory machinery, a miniature railway, model railways and much more.

 

Back to nature... 

In contrast, you can find peace and tranquility at Belper River Gardens on the Derwent, or for a real blaze of colour in spring and early summer, visit the nationally recognised Lea Gardens, whose meandering woodland paths and one of the country's largest collections of azaleas and rhododendrons are set against the unique backdrop of a medieval quarry. Nearby Shipley Country Park - the setting for DH Lawrence's controversial novel, Lady Chatterley's Lover - has miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore, as well as 600 acres of woodland, meadows and lakes rich in wildlife.

 

The spectacular colour of Lea GardensThere’s much to discover in the towns, villages and landscapes of the Amber Valley and whether you’re exploring the area’s rich industrial heritage and historical connections, following the factory shopping trail, visiting one of the area’s numerous attractions or simply absorbing the views by foot, wheels or hooves, there’s something for everyone - right here in the heart of Derbyshire!

 

For more information including where to stay and what’s on in Amber Valley, the Heart of Derbyshire, visit www.visitambervalley.com, contact Ripley Tourist Information Centre on 01773 841488 or email touristinformation@ambervalley.gov.uk