A bricked building with picnic benches is on the far side of a canal, which is populated with ducks.

Cromford Canal

You can walk along the remains of the picturesque Cromford Canal that once brought narrowboats from the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill to Cromford, with a branch to Pixton.

Having seen its last boat back in 1944, the Cromford Canal is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and home to an abundance of wildlife species including water voles, little grebes, coots and dragonflies.

Parts of its original 14.5-mile route are still visible, including the first mile or so where it joins the Erewash Canal. There's a second section near Ironville, which is a particularly important stronghold for the endangered white-clawed crayfish. The third and final section is near lower Hartshay.

Butterley Tunnel, between sections two and three, also still exists. At 2.7km long, when it was opened it was the third longest canal tunnel in the world, and included an underground wharf.

Take a walk along any of these stretches and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

Information for boaters and paddlers
We are responsible for the stretch of the Cromford Canal between Bridge 4 and Bridge 9 at Ironville, as well as the reservoirs at Ironville and Butterley.
The rest of it is owned and managed by Derbyshire County Council, who require boaters (largely paddlers) to book in advance and buy a visitor permit.
For more information visit the Derbyshire County Council web page.

Information for anglers
The Ripley and District Angling Club lease the fishing rights for Butterley Reservoir and provide valuable volunteering time for the Trust.
Codnor Park Fisheries lease the fishing rights for Codnor Park Reservoir.