Middleton-by-Wirksworth

by liamssoft | November 20, 2007 at 07:08 am

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Middleton-by-Wirksworth Area is a most interesting place, situated in the Peek District near Matlock which is known as the 'backbone of England', and lies in the county of Derbyshire.

The Peak District National Park was the first of Britain’s National Parks, formed in 1951 and is administered from Bakewell, one of the areas principal market towns and known as the `Capital of the Derbyshire Dales'. The area is one of the most beautiful and popular tourist destinations owing to its location and close proximity to so much of the population and attracts upwards of twenty million visitors a year.

The term 'Red tape' was invented here and that’s just one of the mysteries surrounding this lovely place.

Middleton by Wirksworth is a small village with extensive quarries and spectacular rock and cliff faces, just north of Wirksworth. There are some superb views across the wooded valley of the Via Gellia.

DH Lawrence lived here for a year in a small house overlooking the via gellia, called mountain cottage. The village featured in his book `The Virgin and the Gypsy` where it was called Woodlinkin.

Nearby is Middleton Top, with its Engine House. It contains a beam engine built in 1829 by the Butterley Company and was used to haul wagons up the 1 in 8 Middleton incline on the Cromford and High Peak Railway. The Engine House is open from Easter to October, with the engine steamed on the first weekend of the month. The visitors centre here is open all year round at weekends.

Steeple Grange Light Railway runs along a little part of the old Cromford and High Peak Railway, from Steeplehouse Station to Dark Lane Quarry, now disused and overgrown. It is open only on Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter to the end of October, and Saturdays during the summer holidays, 12pm to 5pm.

More information on attractions around Wirksworth

National Stone Centre, Wirksworth
Story of stone exhibition, gem panning, trails and gift shop

Open daily 10a.m. - 4p.m. Winter Months
10a.m. - 5p.m. Summer Months
Open seven days a week all year (closed Christmas Day)

More information on www.nationalstonecentre.org.uk

Wirksworth Heritage Centre, Wirksworth
The mystery of towns lead mining industry is unveiled
Open 1st April-30th June Tues-Sat 11.00-4.00pm, Sun 1.00pm-4.00pm
1st July-24th Sept Daily 10.00-5.00pm
26 Sept-29th Oct Tues-Sat 11.00-4.00pm, Sun 1.00pm-4.00pm
1st Nov-2nd Dec Wed-Sat 11.00-4.00pm, Sun 1.00pm- 4.00pm
Bank Hol Sun & Mon 10.00-5.00pm
Tel 01629 825225
website Wirksworth Heritage Centre

Steeple Grange Light Railway, Near Wirksworth
An 18 inch gauge line built on the trackbed of a branch of the old Cromford and High Peak Railway - now the High Peak Trail
May- Sept Sundays 12.0- 5.00pm
Sat pm July- August
Tel 01629 55123
website Steeple Grange Light Railway