Some seventeen miles in length, the picturesque Amber Valley gave its name to this diverse borough. The river Amber joins the Derwent at Ambergate, and it is the Derwent that more or less bisects the district. To the south, this river is joined by the Ecclesbourne which meanders through green pastures on its journey southwards, each valley has different and contrasting features. By the side of the Amber are two former corn mills, and indeed at Weir Mill Farm, South Wingfield, the waterwheel can still be seen turning from the narrow stone bridge that carries the lane between Pentrich and Crich.
Pentrich is a village famous for its revolution during the last century, the result of which was the execution of three local peasants. Crich is an old stone village dominated by Crich Stand, the memorial to the Sherwood Foresters, on a clear day it is said that visitors can see into eight counties. Crich is also the home of the National Tramway Museum, decribed as 'the museum which is a mile long'. The museum has working trams and admission includes as many journeys as you wish to take during your visit. In addition authentic buildings and street artefacts surround the central cobbled period street and there is a broad range of exhibits, displays and shops.
Returning to the Derwent Valley, on the river banks is the old market town of Belper, formerly a centre of nail making, but during the last two centuries famous for the production of sewing cotton and knitwear products,
As a result of the construction of a weir in Belper, the Strutt family harnessed the power of the Derwent to turn machinery within the mills. Visitors can now enjoy the use of rowing boats along some three miles of river in a most tranquil, rural setting, usually disturbed only by the wild fowl occupying the adjoining marshlands. The rowing boats are based at the unique Belper River Gardens established in 1906 where there are brass band concerts every Sunday throughout the late spring and summer season.
A few miles down the river at Duffield can be seen the foundations of Duffield Castle, which once guarded the whole of the southern Derwent Valley.
Over the Cumberhill from Duffield you will find Kedleston Hall, a grand palace, the most complete work by the Scottish architect Robert Adam. Work commenced on the house in 1759 and its contents and grounds were designed as a complete entity. The property is now administered by the National Trust and should not be missed.
Well worth visiting are the remains of Wingfield Manor, one of the several prisons of Mary, Queen of Scots. It was a local man, Anthony Babbington, who plotted to free Mary from Wingfield Manor and as a result both were beheaded.
So far we have explored the predominantly rural western parts of the district, at the extreme north of which are the Lea Gardens.. This unique rhodedendron and azalea garden containing some 550 plant varieties presents a most spectacular display. The gardens were established by John Marsden Smedley, a local industrialist, who made his fortune by developing hydrotherapy and building one of the larges hydros in the country, at Matlock. His home was nearby at Lea Green, now a centre for education and sport.
The village of Lea and its neighbour Holloway were the home of Florence Nightingale, the Lady with the Lamp, who has a museum dedicated to her memory at St Thomas' Hospital in London, and whose picture appears on the reverse of the English ten pound note.
The eastern side of the county contains the towns of Alfreton, Ripley and Heanor, and is rather more urban, each of these being market town with interesting features. In Alfreton, the Hall is situated in acres of parkland and nearby is a modern leisure centre including a lido and indoor bowling facilities. On King Street, the Alfreton Lock-up, built in the early 1800s is unique in its construction.
Between Alfreton and Ripley is situated the Midland Railway Centre, featuring many steam engines, several of which are quite famous. Apart from the main line engines, the centre also has a collection of rolling stock, a a narrow gauge railway, many railway artefacts and various gauges of model railways. There is also a country park, overlooked by a restored pit shaft with winding gear on the one side, and by one of Europe's largest conference centres on the other. This latter, Swanwick Hayes, was made famous by the early post-war film, The One That Got Away, the true story of a German wartime pilot who was held as a prisoner of war there.
Ripley has had a number of famous residents including Sir Barner Wallis who was born in the town. William Jessop and Benjamin Outram, who were so influential in the development of the railway and canal systems in Britain, founded the Butterley Company which continues to this day.
To the south, the town of Heanor and the nearby Shipley Estate, which is now a country park, can be recognised from the writings of D.H. Lawrence. Heanor has a beautiful park with massive iron gates which formerly stood at the entrance to Shipley Hall.
A mile or so out of Heanor is one of Britain's premier attractions, the American Adventure Theme Park. A visit to the American Adventure offers a complete day out for the whole family. There are big white-knuckle rides, daily shows and many more attractions to suit all tastes.
The Borough has a wealth of shopping facilities. Apart from the four market towns bargains can be found at over thirty factory shops. Denby Pottery has pioneered the concept of factory tours giving visitors the opportunity of seeing the processes involved in the production of their fine quality pottery. A museum, audio-visual area and restaurant are also available in addition to a factory shop.
Last updated January 1997
This page provided as a service to the community by Jon Rouse author of the Disfigurement Guidance pages.