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Around New Mills

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Our view

"New Mills may be a traditional Derbyshire mill town, but the rivers below hold some surprises."

Walk directions

From the car park exit go left and left again, down Lower Rock Street. At a choice of routes by a viewing area turn right down the cobbled path and go under the railway bridge and into Torrs Riverside Park. Turn right along the riverside path to reach the confluence of the Sett and Goyt rivers, where Torrs Hydro and a ruined mill are located.

Go half left over a wooden footbridge on a path signposted ‘Goytside Meadows and Peak Forest Canal’. Follow the riverside path under the road bridge, then joining a wider track go beneath the railway viaduct. Just after Goytside Farm turn right and follow the short path to re-cross the river via a metal footbridge. Turn right to enter Goytside Meadows Nature Reserve.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Mostly firm riverside paths and canal towpath

Landscape - Deep-cut river gorge and gentle valley

Dog friendliness - Lead required on streets and in nature reserves

Parking - Torr Top pay car park

Toilets en route - Market Street and Heritage Centre

Walks in Derbyshire Dog-friendly walks in Derbyshire

About the walk

If all you see of New Mills is its central streets and shops you are missing out on something quite remarkable. The town sits above two deep gorges where the Goyt and Sett rivers converge, a narrow linear corridor that makes up Torrs Riverside Park. Despite its relative inaccessibility, the power... of the fast-flowing water was harnessed as far back as 1391 when a corn mill was first recorded, giving the settlement its name. Most of the mills have now gone. Torr Vale Mill closed in 2000 after 210 continuous years of textile manufacturing, but the town has far from abandoned its rivers. A screw called Archie The first feature of real note on the walk, at the confluence of the Goyt and Sett rivers, is called Archie. He (or rather it) is the nickname given to a reverse Archimedes screw turbine, centrepiece of the Torrs Hydro project. Its blades are powered by river water channelled downwards by gravity, and the giant screw can be seen revolving behind protective railings, so long as there’s sufficient water in the river (not always the case in summer). The project is community owned and run, and the electricity it generates is sold to the nearby Co-operative store. Information boards give more details about the project and there are occasional open days at weekends. A riverside haven Apart from the sound of water, either from the Hydro or the nearby weir, it’s a peaceful place that is completely detached from the busy town above. Indeed, if it wasn’t for the bridges and viaducts overhead you would be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere quite remote and rural. This is echoed a little further on when you walk through Goytside Meadows Nature Reserve, then after a burst of the Peak Forest Canal towpath the return to the town is via Mousley Bottom Nature Reserve. Here a former gas works and rubbish tip beside the River Goyt has been transformed into a haven for nature, with a series of ponds and reedbeds. Millennium Walkway However, the real drama has been saved for last as you approach New Mills from the west. The award-winning Millennium Walkway is a steel-framed aerial structure attached to the massive Victorian retaining wall of the railway above. It curves around the foot of the gorge for 525ft (160m), high above the gushing river, and is spectacular. Finish off your walk with a visit to the New Mills Heritage Centre, located up in the town. It’s full of useful information and interesting displays on New Mills' past and present.

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About the area

The natural features of this central English county range from the modest heights of the Peak District National Park, where Kinder Scout stands at 2,088 ft (636 m), to the depths of its remarkable underground caverns, floodlit to reveal exquisite Blue John stone. Walkers and cyclists will enjoy the High Peak Trail which extends from the Derwent Valley to the limestone plateau near Buxton, and for many, the spectacular scenery is what draws them to the area.

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

4.25 miles (6.8kms)

Ascent:

210ft (64m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Around New Mills

Recommended by

Our view

"New Mills may be a traditional Derbyshire mill town, but the rivers below hold some surprises."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

4.25 miles (6.8kms)

Ascent:

210ft (64m)

Walk directions

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2 of 6

Go straight ahead on the waymarked Meadow Path, which begins to swing gently left across the middle of the nature reserve and up to the Peak Forest Canal on the far side. Go through a gate and turn right on to the tow path. Follow this for one mile (1.6km) until you reach bridge No. 27.

3 of 6

Turn right down an unmade track through woodland and go beneath the railway bridge. At a road go right and follow this down to cross the River Goyt. About 100yds (91m) beyond the bridge turn right for a path that re-enters Torrs Riverside Park. Stay on the broad main track beside the river, forking left for a grassy path across Hague Bar Meadows to visit the reedbeds and elevated viewing platform.

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Now turn right and go back over to the riverside once more. Follow the well-walked path upstream, into Mousley Bottom Nature Reserve, keeping close to the riverbank all the way. You finally reach an old gateway and beyond here take the path diagonally left, waymarked ‘GW’ (Goyt Way). At the end turn right to leave the nature reserve through a gate by houses. Go left on a path past a plaque commemorating the opening of Torrs Riverside Park, then across a road for the path to the Millennium Walkway.

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Follow the Walkway high above the river and on through the deep gorge. At a signpost you can divert left for the steep path up to the town and Heritage Centre, otherwise carry on along beside the river and go under the viaduct to reach the riverside path, followed at the start of the walk. Turn left to return to the town centre and back to the car park.

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Mostly firm riverside paths and canal towpath

Landscape - Deep-cut river gorge and gentle valley

Dog friendliness - Lead required on streets and in nature reserves

Parking - Torr Top pay car park

Toilets en route - Market Street and Heritage Centre

Walks in Derbyshire Dog-friendly walks in Derbyshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

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Been on this walk?

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Walking in Safety

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Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

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About the area

Derbyshire

Around New Mills

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Around New Mills

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