Lumsdale Valley - A Short Walk

A short walk, but full of interest and the steep gradient makes it feel longer than it is. Not only is the Lumsdale Valley is one of the best surviving water-powered industrial sites in England, it is also home to a number of picturesque waterfalls and mill ponds that would be worth visiting even if you have no interest in Industrial Archaeology.

The Bentley Brook, which flows down the valley, once provided the power for a series of mills manufacturing a range of different products: gunpowder, cotton spinning, bleaching, grinding corn, bone and minerals for paint manufacture.

Historian Martyn Gillie of the Arkwright Society organises guided tours in the summer. There is a leaflet giving full details of the walk available at their Cromford Mill shop, or contact him direct (see comments below).

Comments

scc19/02/2007

This information was very useful. I go to the school right next to the Lumsdale valley, and in GCSE history we do some coursework on it. Although we took 4 trips down the valley, it was hard to take notes, and see what out teacher was talking about. All very useful and factual. Thanks.

Martyn Gillie02/08/2007

Hello. I do guided tours of the Lumsdale Valley and have a lot of old photos of the area when all the mills were working. Some of the photos date back to the 1880s and are very rare. So please contact me for further information. My number is 07751 284384.

Jak Thornley24/04/2009

Hi I were just having a look at your map of the lumsdale valley and wonderd if you can give me some word directions for it as i wont to follow it on a walk it would be very good if you can many thanks Jak

Strolling Guide27/04/2009

I'm afraid I can't give you detailed instructions as I have only visited the area once some time ago and although my memory is good, it's not that good. A detailed step by step leaflet is available from the Cromford Mill shop and also from the Tansley Village site mentioned above.

Hazel Bradley04/03/2011

Hi, Martyn I know its been a while since you posted the comment saying you have previous pictures of the lumsdale mills as they where, I am currently a textile design student and being from the peak distict i am doing a project on the derbyshire mills from how they where, through the decline of them to now. Ijust wondered if you could send me a few pictures of the mills from there hay days. Thanks

alexa07/01/2013

Hi Martyn, I am coming up to matlock in april and wanted to come and see the waterfalls. Can you email me with any information and maps? Many thanks

alison perry01/09/2013

Hi Is it possible to send me a map of this walk please ?

Strolling Guide17/09/2013

Please see my comment at 27/04/2009 above

Process drone27/07/2015

where to park

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