CROMFORD CANAL - END TO END - 14.5 MILES

ABOUT THE CANAL AND WALK -

The Cromford Canal is my local canal, being close to where I live. For
years I have walked its towpath and explored the remains and associated history. A few years ago I wrote my first canal walk book, covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I included just three walks on this canal in it. When the time came to update the book, I decided, in view of my further wanderings to include more walks on cach canal. In fact the task or pleasure got out of hand and the original book of some thirty walks has now more than doubled, resulting in the book being split into three. With
one concentrating on the Chesterfield Canal (20 walks); the Cromford
Canal (13 walks); and the rest of network - Erewash, Nottingham, Beeston, Derby and Trent & Mersey Canals in the final book of 25 walks!

I was no longer content to walk and explore different sections but wanted to explore them end to end and follow all their side branches, thereby revealing all its secrets. Sadly, the Cromford Canal is one of those canals that because a major tunnel collapsed it is unlikely ever to see narrow boats going from Cromford Wharf along its 14 1/2 miles to Langley Mill and the Great Northern Basin. Today it is half water filled; only the eastern end of the tunnel is visible; ruined locks remain around Ironwille and beyond to Langley Mill it is filled in. The Pinxton Arm is mostly filled but the canal line is traceable and the short Nightingale Arm can be fully seen.

Canals today are a multifaceted line in the countryside. One can only
marvel at the sheer hard work to dig and build a canal, and see the
associated buildings along its length. A canal provides a quiet haven
through towns and stretches become worthy Nature Reserves. Walking a canal towpath you step back into sensible time and explore a 200 year old “motorway” that paved the way for today's high speed life. Enjoy the walks and sec nature and life on its own terms; a rich and varied landscape awaits your footprints.

Cromford was the base for Sir Richard Arwright's cotton spinning empire and was a prime mover in getting the canal made.

A5 Wire bound guidebook. Signed by John Merrill.

Special embroidered  canal badge and signed certificate from John Merrill, for succesful walkers.

All walkers added to my Walkers Roll of Honour page.