New Whaley Bridge walking tours showcase murder, coal, cotton and canals of town’s history
A new self guided walking tour has opened in Whaley Bridge with walkers able to take on two routes packed full of history and local information.
The trails have been organised by Ian Kidd, chair of the Whaley Bridge volunteer group W4W.
He said: “There has been so much research and work done behind the scenes that I'm really pleased the leaflets are out there and people can take in the trail and learn about the area they live in or are visiting.”
The original idea for a walking trail dates back to 2023 and was going to be done to improve the area near Cromford Court and make a route which was both accessible and informative.
Ian started collating information but the funding fell through so High Peak Borough Council and Whaley Bridge Town Council stepped up and provided funds for the project to continue.
There are two routes; one through Whaley bridge and Taxal and the other a simple town walk.
There are nine conveniently placed plaques with QR codes linked to the Town Council website.
These QR codes have further information and historic photos.
The walks cover the historic Cromford and High Peak railway, the largest Cotton Mill in the area - which includes an interview with a lady who worked there who has since died, and information on the coal mines.
It also covers the station itself, an unsolved murder, Taxal lodge and of course the Toddbrook Dam incident of 2019
Ian said: “It is full of interesting historical facts and bits and pieces and gives the walkers the opportunity to expand the walks should they wish to. The trails are easily mapped out.
“It’s local history, it’s myth and legend, murder all right on our doorsteps - why wouldn’t we want to know more about the area we live in?”
Ian, who has retired from Mersey Police force and been in Whaley for 11 years, says the walks also highlight famous people and places.
“It highlights the transhipment warehouse, which we take for granted but there really aren’t many if any left in the country and we have one here.”
The free leaflets are now available from Whaley Bridge Town Hall, Transhipment Warehouse, Footsteps Whaley Bridge and the railway station, where the walks start.