|
|
Walks in Belper Bringing you information on Peak District Holiday Accommodation , Peak District Holiday Cottages, Campsites and Caravan sites in the Peak District, Pubs In The Peak District, Peak District B&B , Peak District Hotels , Tourist Attractions or Town & Village Business of any kind in the Peak District and Derbyshire.
The Heritage Walk
Welcome to Belper, a key community within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. It was here in the 1770s that Jedediah Strutt and his sons began their pioneer cotton mill business, and by building and buying homes and facilities for their workers created one of the world's first industrial communities.
The importance of the Belper mills and their historic industrial neighbours at Cromford, Darley Abbey and Derby was reflected by the World Heritage Site status given to the Derwent Valley Mills in December 2001. Belper is also within the National Heritage CorridorTM.
But Belper was not just known for cotton spinning - its industrial heritage dates back centuries, and was highly diverse. Two of Britain's largest hosiery businesses were based in the town throughout the 19th century, whilst nail-making in the town dates back to the Norman Conquest. From travelling caravans to cotton vests, from rope to railway cuttings, from toffee to quality furniture - they were all produced in Belper and kept thousands of people in work.
One of the best know hosiery businesses of the 19th and 20th centuries was George Brettle and Co. Their Chapel Street premises are now the home of De Bradelei Mill and it is from there that this short walk through the town begins. This leaflet will help you find some of the most significant buildings in the town and show you a little of Belper's industrial past and its wider setting. The end point is the Derwent valley Visitor Centre, inside Strutt's North Mill, where you'll find more information about the town. It is then just a short walk back to the De Bradelei Mill complex.
At De Bradelei Mill you will find an interpretation board which will tell you more about this industrial community and the hosiery industry.
Belper has an important industrial past, with cotton spinning, hosiery production, nail-making, a pottery and iron foundries providing a wide variety of employment for many, many years.
This walk begins at De Bradelei Mill, the one time headquarters of George Brettle and Co, one of the most renowned manufacturers of hosiery and other cotton goods. On this site, stockings were produced for George III and his grand-daughter Queen Victoria and it is said that the cotton vest worn by Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 was a Brettle's vest. The interpretation board under the arches leading to the car park will tell you more about the company.
Walk through the large arch onto the main road - this is the A6, which follows the line of the 1818 turnpike road that eventually linked Derby to Manchester. From the archway, look right and you will see a large gritstone warehouse of 1850 on the far side of the roundabout. This belonged to Ward, Sturt and Sharp, another major hosiery company.
Turn left, walking along the A6 towards the town centre. Next to De Bradelei Mill is the Central Methodist Chapel of 1807.
Continue along the road, past King Street. Turn left on to Derwent Street and walk down until you reach the former Thornton's factory on the left. The toffee manufacturer came to Belper in 1947. Before, it was a blouse factory and earlier, began life as a theatre where Gracie Fields once performed. Opposite the factory is the entrance to Unity Mill. Walk through to see the corn mill built in 1839 by James Webster and greatly enlarged by John Strutt from 1853. It was later converted to cotton spinning, then became a furniture manufacturer's but is now an antique centre.
Return to Bridge Street (the A6), cross the road and walk under the arch by Frearson's shop into Wellington Court. On the left is Wellington House where Will Hay, star of Ealing film comedies, stayed as he began his career in Belper. At the end of the stone terrace follow the road ahead, past the supermarket to the railway station of 1878. On the platforms you can see the recesses which once held the station buildings, and beyond these, looking north, the five road bridges which cross the stone-lined cutting designed by George Stephenson and associates.
Walk up the steps from the platform and follow the footpath which runs parallel to the platform, until you come out on Field Lane. Cross the road on to another path running parallel to the railway cutting. This is the Ropewalk, so called because it runs at right-angles to a ropewalk which ran along the back of the houses, and was used for rope-plaiting.
At the end of the Ropewalk we are in Joseph Street, which includes part of the industrial housing built by the Strutts. Note the Telford/Macadam-type road-surfacing to the right of you - a rare survival.
Turn left and walk down the road until you reach No 3 Clusters Court - opposite is a channel to George Street. Walk along it. As you pass through the channel note the old workshop on your left, now converted into a house. Although the Strutts primarily only wanted women and children in the mills, they provided workplaces like this for men so that whole families would want to settle in the town.
At the end of the channel turn left, past more Strutt housing, then at the bottom of the road turn right. You are now in Cluster Road. Beyond the Drill Hall of 1902 on the left is Piggy Hill, the channel running down to the main road, so-called as from 1896 it was used by butcher Edward Ryde to herd in fresh stocks of pigs for his slaughterhouse.
Carry on to the end of Cluster Road and turn left on to Long Row. On the right as you walk down to the A6 is Long Row School, provided by the Strutts for the community in 1818. In front of you, across the road is Christ Church of 1850, for which the Strutts were the main contributors. Bear right and cross the road at the crossing.
You are now in The Triangle, where there is an interpretation panel on the mills and the surrounding area. On the left is Pym's, a solicitor's office, which was once the mill armoury. Cross the road again, this time towards the big red mill, the East Mill of 1912. Turn left and under the bridge known as the Gangway of 1795, which linked the North and West Mills. Carry on along the road, turning right at the sign for the Derwent Valley Visitor Centre. You will find more information on Belper's industrial past at the centre in Strutt's North Mill, where tours of the mill are also available.
To return to De Bradelei Mill, simply return to The Triangle, turn right and follow the A6 road.
|
|
|
| Latest News |
|---|
|
30th July
4 star rated Sheldon Barn is offering a week from Friday 13th August, including a fully cooked breakfast, delivered to your door. For more information give us a call on 01629 813067/07976 965092... |
|
30th July
Eastview Cottage, Eyam Sleeps 5, Available 4 nights commencing Monday throughout August ; 2nd / 9th / 16th /and 23rd. Two people £280 parties of 4 and 5 £350. Contact Andrew on 07900 192838 or ... |
|
30th July
When the sun is shining, the sights, sounds and smells of outdoor dining on a balmy English summer evening are pretty hard to beat. For a limited time, multi award-winning East Lodge hotel and restaur... |
|
27th July
Set in stunning countryside, Meadow Suite offers a unique bed and breakfast experience for two people. The suite has four ground floor rooms with an added feature of having a well equipped kitchen. Y... |
|
26th July
Get up close to a range of owls, falcons, hawks as well as the awesome Golden Eagle, Cuddles. Flying displays will take place at 1pm and again at 3pm enabling visitors to see these beautiful birds in ... |
|
26th July
Gingerbread Cottage, Bakewell - late availability for w/c 7 August and 14 August. Delightful 4* cottage in the heart of Bakewell, sleeps 4 people. £540 per week. Short breaks available. ... |
|
26th July
Peaceful edge of village location, sleeps 5, ideal base for exploring the Peak District. Reduced rates throughout September for smaller groups: 4 people - 10% discount; 3 people - 15% discount; 2 peop... |
|
23rd July
See one of our fantastic reviews from a group of 20 University friends who rented all 3 properties for exclusive use. [li... |
|
22nd July
Toad Cottage 17th Century Two Bedroom, Two Bathroom cottage lots of character is available from 3.00pm on Tuesday 17th August until 10.00am on Friday 20th August now only £230.00 was £295.00. If you a... |
|
22nd July
The Lodge @ Dale End House - Sleeps 2, is now unexpectedly available from Friday 23rd until Tuesday 27th July 2010. Found on a quiet lane between Elton and Youlgreave, the Lodge enjoys unspoilt count... |
|
20th July
Located in the beautiful village of Winster where you can discover little lanes and alleyways on leisurely walks. The accommodation provides two double rooms with kingsize beds and one twin bedded ro... |
|
20th July
FRI 30TH JULY - FRI 6TH AUGUST 20% OFF!! 3 nights (Fri - Mon) 4 nights (Mon - Fri) or go wild and stay for the 7 nights!! Luxurious accommodation for 2 in quiet village location 10 mins drive fro... |
|
20th July
Albertine Barn (sleeps 8)- Fri. 20th August 2010 - 7 nights £1060 Fri. 27th August 2010 - 7 nights £1060 Maigold Cottage (sleeps 4) - Fri. 27th August 2010 - 7 nights £496 [link=http://www.pe... |
|
20th July
It's lights, camera and action as multi award-winning Peak District hotel and restaurant East Lodge launches its all new Exclusively Yours wedding DVD. ... |
|
15th July
AVAILABILITY Fri 23rd JULY (first week school holidays) - NOW £600. HOLIDAY COTTAGE IN CENTRE OF BAKEWELL. Beautifully furnished cottage for up to 6 adults right in the centre of Bakewell with court... |
|
15th July
A small taste of heaven in the popular village of Castleton is opening for business on Saturday. The Food Angel Coffee Shop offers freshly made sandwiches, fresh paninis, jacket potatoes, Salad boxes... |
|
15th July
Fed up of going away with the family and going to bed with the children. Brand new family Suite comprising of separate double and bunk bed room with private bathroom. All self contained. Call for fu... |
|
14th July
A wonderfully romantic cottage for two (ETB 5 star grading). Fantastic location (Manifold Valley and Dovedale), stunning views and great walking straight from the door! 25% late availability dis... |
|
13th July
Matchcroft Well equipped barn conversion in an ideal location for the Hope Valley ; Friday and Saturday 2 people £140 , 4 people £200. Eastview , Eyam sleeps 5 , 2 people £140, 4 people £200. See ww... |
|
13th July
Shamble Cottage, Ashford in the Water. Four star rated, Grade 2 listed ex stocking mill reduced 33% for 2 people staying 7 days to £400. If required for 4 people cost is £450. Contact Andrew on 07900 ... |
|
Newsletter |
Please enter your email address below to receive our newsletter emails
|
|
|
|
