Please note: barbecues are not permitted at any of our sites.
It lies a mile to the southeast of Cromford village and is in the beautiful Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. It is a haven for wildlife and is the ideal location for a stroll or a heritage or nature walk.
There are a variety of buildings from the former Cromford and High Peak Railway - one of the first long-distance railways which were built on canal principles.
The Cromford Canal can be explored between Cromford Wharf and Ambergate, a distance of just over 5 miles. The High Peak Trail starts here at High Peak Junction and continues for 17.5 miles to Dowlow near Buxton.
For information and a warm welcome call in at the High Peak Junction Visitor Centre where there are refreshments, gifts and a variety of maps, walk leaflets and books.
Here you can step back in time with the fascinating audio tour for a small fee of £2, where you'll discover the history of Cromford Canal and the Cromford and High Peak Railway.
Partial access is available to the old railway workshop at High Peak Junction, including a designated viewing area at the workshop entrance, drill shed access for artifact viewing and courtyard views into the fitter’s room.
Due to the age and nature of the High Peak Junction Workshop, any access for visitors, including those with restricted mobility and wheelchair users, is very challenging, with uneven floors and narrow doorways. We want to avoid disappointment, so if you're unsure about access contact us before visiting.
Access to the full workshop remains limited to accompanied tours and those attending scheduled Forge and Blacksmith Experience Days. We appreciate your understanding.
A canal aqueduct over the River Derwent and the magnificent Leawood Pump House are just a few minutes walk away. Leawood Pump is a steam-powered beam engine which operates on some summer weekends and bank holidays. A number of waymarked walks start from High Peak Junction.
Visitor centre summer opening hours
April to 25 October from 10am to 5pm
Half term: 26 October to 2 November, 10.30am to 4pm
Visitor centre winter opening hours
Weekends only, November to Easter from 10am to 3.30pm
Weekends only, February to March, 10.30am to 4pm
Half term, 23 February to 27 February 2026, 10.30am to 4pm
Railway workshop forge days for 2026 to 2027
Have-a-go at being a blacksmith on the historic forge and make a poker or toasting fork to take home and keep.
From 11am to 4pm on the following dates:
- Saturday 21 February
- Sunday 15 March
- Saturday 28 March
- Wednesday 8 April
- Sunday 12 April
- Wednesday 15 April
- Sunday 10 May
- Wednesday 27 May
- Wednesday 10 June
- Saturday 13 June
- Saturday 20 June
- Wednesday 15 July
- Wednesday 29 July
- Wednesday 5 August
- Wednesday 12 August
- Wednesday 19 August
- Wednesday 26 August
- Saturday 12 September
- Wednesday 23 September
- Wednesday 14 October
- Wednesday 28 October
- Sunday 15 November
- Sunday 13 December
- Sunday 27 December
- Monday 28 December
- Sunday 31 January 2027
- Sunday 21 February 2027
- Sunday 14 March 2027
- Sunday 28 March 2027
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High Peak Junction Visitor Centre
Participants must be over 11-years-old.
Cost: £20 per poker or toasting fork. Booking is essential, telephone: 01629 533298.
Blacksmith experience days
Our enthusiast blacksmith will walk you through the creation of a simple metalworking object, such as a barbecue fork, fire poker, or coat hook.
Along the way, you'll learn about the history of blacksmithing, lighting and managing the fire, and all the techniques you need, using the workshop's original forge and hand-pumped bellows dating from the 1830s.
From 10am to 1pm, and from 1pm to 4.30pm on the following dates:
Participants must be over 16-years-old.
Cost: £60 per person, paid in advance. Booking is essential, telephone: 01629 533298.
Audio tours
Hire one of our audio handsets and let Tapper Jack take you on a self-guided tour of High Peak Junction and the Cromford Canal, educational and fun. Only £2.50.
Boat trips
Birdswood is the trip boat belonging to the Friends of the Cromford Canal (FCC). There are scheduled boat trips throughout the year.
Wildlife
The canal is a haven for wildlife (it's a Site of Special Scientific Interest). Little grebes and water voles can be seen throughout the year, in summer look out for dragonflies, damselflies and hoverflies.
Parking
The car park machines on this site take cash, contactless, and Pay by Phone payments.
School visits
We have a number of opportunities for school visits along the Cromford Canal. Visit the Derwent Valley Mills website to find out more about our ‘Fantastic Transport’ or ‘Wonders of STEAM’.
Self-led visits for primary schools include free to download activity guides with resources available to pick up on site: engineering kits, historical photo packs and other activities.
Explore the workshops, canal, railways, rivers, aqueducts and bridges and even book for pupils to have a go at blacksmithing on the forge and make a poker to keep.
Audio guides are available for secondary groups. We’re happy to discuss your requirements. You can also visit Leawood Pumphouse with your school group.
There are ‘in steam’ days open to the public throughout the year or you can book this for your group.
Activity guides are free to download for you to self-lead a visit exploring science, art, history and engineering or you can book a volunteer to help you explore this amazing building.
Why not combine a visit with a stop off at High Peak Junction, Aqueduct Cottage or a trip on the Birdswood canal boat?
Volunteer
We're looking for volunteers to work in our railway workshops. Find out more about the role and other opportunities to become a countryside volunteer.