Cromford is where Richard Arkwright built the world’s first successful water-powered cotton mill in 1771, launching the factory system that transformed the world — now recognised as part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The High Peak Trail begins here, climbing steeply to Black Rocks before continuing across the limestone plateau.

A historically pivotal village with the High Peak Trail beginning right at the canal wharf, Cromford makes an excellent base for combining World Heritage industrial history with classic White Peak walking on the limestone plateau above.