Derwent Valley Line CRP

Discover great attractions and a historic landscape on this scenic rail line

Great scenery and a host of attractions are to be discovered along the Derwent Valley Line between Nottingham, Derby and Matlock. A picturesque landscape of diverse woodlands, lush meadows, rolling hillsides and meandering rivers can be explored on the scenic walks and family activity trails, starting from each station.​

Journey information

The hourly train service to Matlock has a journey time of 34 minutes from Derby and just over an hour from Nottingham. Highlights of the journey include the expansive views across Attenborough Nature Reserve and the Trent Valley, the historic landscape of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site to Cromford and the limestone gorge between Matlock Bath and Matlock. From Matlock there are bus services to Bakewell, Chatsworth and the Peak District National Park.​

Must-sees and dos​

There are fabulous visitor attractions along the Derwent Valley Line, from museums, historic mills and cavern tours to a cable car, steam trains and theme park rides.

If you are visiting The Heights of Abraham, take advantage of a 20% discount off cable car tickets when you travel by train. You’ll need to show your travel ticket on arrival, and book your cable car flight in advance. Book your tickets to The Heights of Abraham.

To discover over 100 Things To Do, over 50 walking routes along the line and much more visit the Derwent Valley Line.

Download a map of the Derwent Valley Line showing attractions on the route.

Join Perri the Peregrine for family walking trails ​

Perri the Peregrine is your guide to family walking trails in the Derwent Valley Line Activity Book . "Spot things and do stuff" with Perri by discovering history, looking out for wildlife, or just exploring the wonderful countryside along the Derwent Valley Line.

Whether it's the Green Man Trail in Matlock Bath, learning about the Heroines of Whatstandwell, Tunnel Talk or being a Gongoozler, the activity book is a great way to discover the Derwent Valley Line.​

Discover scenic walks​

Walking in this area offers breathtaking views throughout the Derwent Valley. Popular walking routes include the Cromford Canal between Cromford, Whatstandwell and Ambergate, High Tor between Matlock and Matlock Bath and The Chevin above Belper. ​

Take one of 12 Derwent Valley station to station walks over scenic hillside, riverside and woodland routes between stations. Why not discover the scenic walks that run along the Derwent Valley line. Find out more about walks along the Derwent Valley Line. Alternatively find shorter walks from each station in the Derwent Valley Line Activity Book .​

School and college trips along the Derwent Valley Line​

The Derwent Valley Line offers fantastic opportunities for school and college trips. Get discounted group rates when you travel by train and visit fascinating museums, historic mills, and vast caverns, or discover other elements of the natural world. See our schools information for more details.​

Get involved

The Community Rail Partnership​ develops and promotes the Derwent Valley Line and supports all the station volunteers. ​ Read our latest Annual Report here. Local residents, parish and town councils, community groups and schools take great pride in creating welcoming and attractive station environments, with beautiful flowers, shrubs and school artwork. Cromford station now basks in the colours of planted flowers, Belper station is home to wildlife-friendly gardens, and there's artwork by local school children in the waiting room at Matlock Bath.​​ Find out more about becoming a station adopter .

Travel on the Derwent Valley Line

Our regional service runs hourly between Nottingham, Derby and Matlock. Buy tickets online or at the station. You can also get unlimited one-day train and bus travel with the Derbyshire Wayfarer Ranger , available from selected stations.

Buy train tickets