Here are the guided walks and underground mine visits we currently have planned for the next few months in the Derbyshire Peak District. Do keep checking back here, as more walks and underground trips will be added to the list.
All our walks are free, and are open to all (not just PDMHS members). However, pre-booking is required when walks are limited to a certain number of people. As the walks are all also weather-dependent, we can keep you informed by email of any changes or cancellation in the event of bad weather. You can contact us at meets@pdmhs.com. Any changes due to weather conditions will also be posted on the website, so it is advisable to check back here before you set out.
Also, if you are planning on attending with a large number of friends, it would be worth checking with us in advance about car parking availability.
Our walks are free but if you would like to express your appreciation, a donation would be very welcome. Alternatively you might like to join PDMHS.
If you want to find out more information about any of our guided mining and industrial heritage walks, contact Chris at meets@pdmhs.com
Our underground mine trips are organised by the PDMHS UEG (Underground Exploration Group), which is free to join for PDMHS members. Insurance is compulsory for those going on underground trips, but the UEG can arrange this if you don’t already hold BCA insurance. You can contact the UEG here.
Sunday November 3rd – Heritage Walk to The Mills of Slinter Wood, Cromford
Meet at 10.30am in front of the Mill Yard Cafe at Arkwright’s Mill, Mill Lane, Cromford. Please park in the car park next to the mill – the Arkwright Society gets the revenue to help with their work.
This is a relatively gentle 3 hour walk following the Bonsall Brook to mills and mill sites once powered by the Brook processing lead, calamine, corn, cotton, colour and paper. This area is rich in industrial history, and the walk is being led by well-known local historian and author Doreen Buxton. Beginning at Arkwright’s Mill in Cromford, she will take us to see various sites of interest heading up the Via Gellia, visiting the remains of mills in Slinter Wood in Bonsall Hollow as far as the Via Gellia Mills – which gave their name to the fabric Viyella. From there, we will return to Cromford via the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Rose End Meadows. The total distance is only about 3 miles, but with so much to see, and Doreen’s extensive knowledge, we will be making plenty of stops along the way!
There will be some road walking involved, but we will mostly be on footpaths. The walk is relatively easy and suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit. The highest point on the walk is only about 300ft above our starting point – most of which is the climb up out of the Via Gellia onto the pastures above. From there, it will be a gradual descent back to our starting point at Cromford.
This walk is free and open to all. Booking is not essential, but if you register your interest with us, we will be able to contact you directly if the walk has to be cancelled or there are any changes to arrangements due to weather conditions. Given the recent rain, and the fact that we will be walking across uneven ground, walking boots are strongly advised. Please contact us at meets@pdmhs.com if you require any further information.
Despite atrocious weather conditions on the 11th of February, six members of the PDMHS UEG made it to Pikehall for a trip into Mouldridge Mine. It was considerably warmer and drier underground than outside!