Cromford Canal
The Cromford Canal ran 14.5 miles (23 km) from the the Great Northern Basin on the Erewash Canal near Langley Mill to Cromford just south of Matlock. It had four tunnels and 14 locks. It was used to bring in coal to the increasingly industrialised Cromford area whilst limestone, lead and cotton were transported away. One mile south of Cromford lies High Peak Junction where the Cromford and High Peak Railway came down an inclined plane to meet the canal. This railway carried coal and limestone between High Peak Junction and the Peak Forest canal at Whaley Bridge. A 6-mile (9.7 km) long section of the Cromford canal between Cromford and Ambergate follows the 300-ft contour and is in water, although navigation is not possible due to its isolation. This Site of Special Scientific Interest is popular with walkers.
The Great Northern Basin at Langley Mill
At one time the Cromford Canal started here
A few feet of canal have been restored to water
Near the canal at Whatstandwell lives a trainspotter
The steeply wooded section at Lea Green
The old sawmill near Lea Green
Gregory Tunnel (75 yds) near Lea Wood
The canal north of Gregory Tunnel
The canal dammed for repairs
Repairs to the aquaduct over the Derby-Matlock railway line
The aquaduct with a railway tunnel entrance below
The single track follows the course of the River Derwent
Leawood Pumping Station next to the Cromford Canal
Leawood Aquaduct crosses the River Derwent
Wharf-side buildings near High Peak Junction
A former railway shed
The old stables at High Peak Junction
The old railway workshops at High Peak Junction
High Peak Junction with the inclined plane going up the hill on the right
The picnic site at High Peak Junction
The canal as it approaches Cromford
Cromford Wharf
The covered wharf and warehouse at Cromford
Looking back down the canal from the wharf