News 7 April 2025

Easter Activities on the Derwent Valley Line

Discover Derwent Valley this Easter. A place that everyone can enjoy, with intriguing cities and market towns, theme parks, outdoor pursuits, mills and museums, historic houses and gardens and much more. Trains operate between Nottingham, Derby and Matlock providing so much to discover.

Easter Events at Chatsworth

Chatsworth home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is renowned for its rich history and array of art. The garden features historic and modern waterworks and sculptures and children can discover the working farmyard and woodland playground. Chatsworth is a 25 minute journey on bus 217 (Monday to Saturday) from Bakewell Road in Matlock.

This April, from the 5th to the 21st, Chatsworth are hosting a number of activities. You can explore the family trail, take part in spring-themed crafts and meet real-life chicks! Learn more about wildlife with the seasonal nature spotting guides, build a den in the park or take part in the Easter egg hunt. These events are available on a number of dates, and some require booking. Have a look at their website for more information.

The Mystery of the Golden Eggs

Take a trip to Heights of Abraham to go on their new trail, the mystery of the golden eggs! Help Lady Lettuce work out why the mysterious eggs have emerged to earn your reward, from 7th to the 20th April. You can buy your tickets on their website, plus if you travel by public transport you can save £5 on admission.

Heights of Abraham cable car ride leads to the hilltop park including two famous caverns, adventure playgrounds and much more. The cable car base station is less than a five minutes’ walk from Matlock Bath Station, just follow the new walkway between the river and the railway.

Spring Nature Spotting

Derwent Valley has lots of wonderful nature spots where you might see ducklings, hear birdsong or even a water vole! Or, head to the woodlands to see carpets of bluebells among the trees. With walks suitable for the whole family, download a walking trail here. Over 40 walks to explore from short family discovery walks to long distance footpaths and routes for cyclists.

 

Get Crafty at Cromford Mills

Derbyshire Makes are hosting a number of Easter activities at Cromford Mills from the 14th to the 21st April. Join local artist Netty Reddish and start creating! The theme for this week’s activities have been designed in the run up to the Cromford Mills Dog show, taking place on the 27th April, and Japan Fest which will be on the 10th May. You’ll be able to make your very own flat pack dog or try your hand at some traditional Japanese crafts.

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March 22 2025

Derwent Valley Mills Heritage Site

The Derwent Valley Line runs through the heart of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, there’s lots for any history and heritage buff to discover!

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February 13 2025

February Half Term on the Derwent Valley Line

Take a look at a our top picks of things to do this half term in Derwent Valley, all accessible by public transport.

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January 16 2025

Celebrating the New Year

At this time of year, many of us are considering our aims for the coming year. Perhaps improving your carbon footprint and choosing a greener way to travel is something you would like to prioritise this year. Or maybe you are looking to do some volunteering, making new connections and helping your local community. We have outlined below a few of the ways our Community Rail Partnership can help with these aims.

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January 16 2025

The Wonders of Winter Nature

While the hedgehogs, dormice and bats are hibernating, keeping warm inside our homes is tempting, but it is well worth putting tights on under your trousers, socks upon socks and heading out into the winter wonderlands. There are many nature highlights to spot during these winter months, here we have collated a guide for what you might be able to find around the Derwent Valley Line this season.

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December 29 2024

Winter Walks

Looking to get outside more over the coming year? The weather may have turned cooler, but it is a great time to lace up your boots and discover new places by train. Put on your warmest hat and gloves and step out into the winter wonderlands Derwent Valley has to offer, made even more magical with a dusting of snow.

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November 11 2024

Festivities on the Derwent Valley Line

The leaves on the trees have well and truly turned, the days have shortened and with the darker nights we are getting excited for a fabulous season of festivities along the Derwent Valley Line. Get into the spirit with this selection of sparkling experiences and make the most of the festive season by train.

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October 28 2024

East Midlands Railway Community Rail Conference and Community Rail Network Conference

We have been busy this October visiting a number of conferences including the East Midlands Railway (EMR) Community Rail Conference at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on the 7th October, and the Community Rail Network Conference at Crowne Plaza in Nottingham on the 8th October.

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June 25 2024

Passengers discover the history of Long Eaton’s four railway stations

The history of the railway in Long Eaton is revealed through a set of new information panels located around the railway station.

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June 10 2024

Network Rail Report Considers Improvements at Belper, Duffield and Spondon

Derby Area Stations Strategic Advice; This Network Rail study seeked to answer - How can local railway stations and rail services in the Derby area be made more appealing to users?

Rail service options and station facilities were considered for Duffield, Belper and Spondon,

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June 5 2024

Community Rail Marketing and Communications Job Opportunity – Deadline Extended to 11 July

The Derwent Valley Line CRP and High Peak and Hope Valley CRP seek freelance marketing and communication services to deliver key elements of their activity plans. The closing date for this role has been extended until 11th July at 11am.

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June 4 2024

Scouts Summer Planting Project at Matlock Bath

Matlock Scouts took the train to Matlock Bath and helped the station adopters plant up and water the platform planting barrels.

This planting session follows on from an evening talk about the Derwent Valley Line and safety on the railway. The Scouts will also be using the train for a summer evening walk.

These activities form part of the Scouts Platforms for Change initiative which is a collaboration between Community Rail Network, the Scouts and the rail industry to engage Scout groups through community rail activity, station projects and rail confidence trips.

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May 23 2024

Community Rail Week on the Derwent Valley Line

A range of community and promotional activities took place along the Derwent Valley Line as part of Community Rail Week 2024.

The week began with schoolchildren making Bee Bug Hotels followed by a community project day at Duffield Station and a day promoting the Derwent Valley Line at Nottingham station.

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April 25 2024

Community gets on board with Belper Station artwork

A new community artwork has been unveiled at Belper railway station.

The mosaic welcomes passengers to the town and celebrates its outstanding heritage.

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March 25 2024

Schoolchildren Discover Tracks, Trails and Trains

Children from two schools in Wirksworth have launched a new walking booklet celebrating their local history, environment, and the railway.

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March 10 2024

Local treats and eats in Derwent Valley

With Easter on the way, it's the perfect time to sample some locally crafted treats. Hop on the bus or train to explore Derwent Valley and enjoy a taste of Derbyshire.

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February 9 2024

Striking New Artwork Unveiled at the Matlock Station Footbridge

An impressive 3.4 square metre artwork depicting a Midland Railway 1000 Class steam locomotive has transformed Matlock Station Footbridge..

This type of locomotive was a common sight in Matlock until the 1960s.

The Unveiling Ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the transformation of the pedestrian approach to Matlock Station.

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February 7 2024

Pubs and pub walks in Derwent Valley

As lighter evenings begin to arrive, it's the perfect time for a pub walk in Derwent Valley, by train of course. Here are a few suggestions of places to visit where you can enjoy a stroll followed by a welcome pint or two.

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January 30 2024

Celebrating a successful train service at Spondon

Public transport in Spondon has received a boost, thanks to a community campaign and the support of East Midlands Railway to improve the train service.

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January 7 2024

We’ve been shortlisted!

We're delighted to have been shortlisted for the 2023 Community Rail Network Community Rail Awards, for a partnership project with The Heights of Abraham.

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December 29 2023

New Year, new adventures ahead

Set a healthy and community-spirited New Year's intention by making sustainable transport part of your lifestyle in 2023.

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