Belper is part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site — the birthplace of the factory system during the Industrial Revolution — and the surrounding Derwent Valley offers excellent riverside and woodland walking. Shining Cliff Woods, an ancient semi-natural woodland, runs along the valley side, and Alport Height gives wide views across the county.

A historically fascinating World Heritage mill town with good rail connections from Derby, Belper makes a useful and central base for the Derwent Valley Heritage Way and the gentle countryside of central Derbyshire.