Rowsley

On the river Derwent at the edge of the Peak District National Park, there is plenty to do and see in and around Rowsley.

The busy A6 road cuts the village in two where a broad bridge crosses the Derwent near the fine old Peacock Hotel. Rowsley developed with the coming of the railway and large marshalling yards and engine sheds were a hive of activity south of the village until the late 1960's. A quieter part of the village follows the lane past St Katherine's church where there are some pretty cottages.

Things to do; Midway between Bakewell and Matlock, with Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall close by, Rowsley is an ideal place to stay for exploring the area. On the site of the original station built by Sir Joseph Paxton is the Peak Village, a shopping complex with extensive visitor facilities. Caudwell's Mill is a well-preserved Victorian corn mill, thought to be the only water powered turbine roller flourmill still in operation. It is open to visitors for tours and demonstrations; there is also a working craft centre with a shop and a café. A mile out of the village, off the A6 is Rowsley South station, where Peak Rail operates a preserved railway line with trains at weekends and on summer weekdays. The village has two fine hotels, East Lodge and The Peacock, a pub, The Grouse and Claret and two small art galleries. Excellent walks radiate from the village on paths to Chatsworth and Haddon or up the hillsides to the moors of Stanton and Fallinge. The Derwent Valley Heritage Trail runs through the village. There are annual Well Dressings and a Flower festival at the end of June.