News
23 August 2023
All aboard: Whatstandwell and Ambergate
Hop on the train and explore these Derbyshire villages and surrounding countryside in less than 1 hour from Nottingham and 30 minutes from Derby.
Whatstandwell
A great destination for walkers and history buffs, Whatstandwell is a small village with beautiful surrounding countryside to explore. Access to the Cromford Canal from the station couldn’t be easier, simply cross the railway footbridge and join the canal towpath.
- About 1.5 miles along the canal you’ll find ancient Lea Wood, now a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. The woodland is stunning all year round, especially in early spring when bluebells are in bloom.
- Stroll on a little further to find High Peak Junction, a former railway junction and home to some of the earliest railway buildings in the world. There is a visitor centre here with a small refreshments offer; tours and family activities are held throughout the year.
- From Whatstandwell you can also walk to Crich Stand and Crich Tramway Village, but please note that it’s an uphill walk of about a mile, with some road walking.
Ambergate
Once a bustling railway station with six platforms, Ambergate is now a tranquil starting point for exploring the landscape and heritage of Derwent Valley.
- Shining Cliff Woods – Home of the “Betty Kenny” tree, a yew tree which is said to have inspired the lullaby “Rock a Bye Baby”. We recommend using a map to explore the woods, and please note there is no footway on Holly Lane which leads to the woods so take care when walking on the road.
- What better reason to use the train than to visit White Peak Distillery and sample some of their products? Join a distillery tour or tasting event and take home some of Derwent Valley’s finest artisan produce.
- Great British Car Journey is a perfect destination for classic car enthusiasts. Enjoy the museum and interactive journey experience, a 15 minute walk from Ambergate station.
Station-to-station walks
The Derwent Valley Heritage Way is a walking route which connects Derwent Valley railway stations between Matlock and Belper, and continues to Derby and beyond. It can easily be broken into short sections, including the walk between Whatstandwell and Ambergate. We also have family-friendly activity walks to download. Take a look at our walks page to discover the routes.
Have you enjoyed a visit to Whatstandwell or Ambergate? Let us know on our social media Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (Facebook) and @derwentvalleycrp (Instagram)