How to get toCromford Millscar-free
Plan your journey
Sorry! We can't find any journeys at that time...
Visit Cromford Mills car-free
It’s easy to visit Cromford Mills car-free.
Trains stop 10-minutes away at Cromford from: Derby (30 mins), Matlock (5 mins) and Nottingham (70 mins).
Change trains at Derby from: Birmingham New Street (35 mins), Leicester (30 mins) or Sheffield (30 mins).
Buses from Matlock stop at the Market Place bus stop located on Cromford Hill. From here take a 5-minute walk to Cromford Mill
Buses stop round-the-corner from: Bakewell (35 mins), Belper (15 mins), Buxton (70 mins), Chesterfield (50 mins), Derby (45 mins) and other towns.
Check out our recommended route (below) and then use our journey planner (above) for door-to-door train, bus and walking routes.
Discount: Enjoy a 10% discount in Arkwright’s café with a valid bus ticket or train ticket.
For money-saving tips see our handy guides to trains and buses.
A Matlock or Buxton PlusBus ticket gives you unlimited bus travel around the area, including Cromford Mills from the train stations. However, PlusBus tickets are not available when arriving at Cromford train station.
The bus or train Wayfarer from Sheffield and Derby or bus Wayfarer from Manchester give you unlimited travel around the area. Or find the best ticket for bus X17&158, The Sixes, TransPeak (Cromford is in the PeakPlusExtra zone).
Scenic Derwent Valley Train Line has a downloadable activity book which includes a fun family walking trail from each station and numerous family-orientated quizzes and activities to take part in.
Cromford train station was pictured on the cover of the single ‘Some Might Say’ by Oasis (1990s Britpop).
Cycle routes National Route 54 stops about 1.5 miles away from Cromford Mills. Plan your cycle route here.
Footpaths from Cromford Mills are described on the website. You can walk around the mill and village or along the canal. The Clough Walk, Derbyshire Dawdle and Derwent Valley Heritage Trail pass Cromford Mills along the River Derwent. The High Peak Trail is to the South.
You walk along the canal from: Matlock Bath (30 mins) and Matlock (55 mins), Whatstandwell (70 mins) and Ambergate (2 hrs).
Taxis need to be booked ahead with, eg: Cross Dales – 01629 650 025.
Find accessibility information for transport or access at Cromford Mills.
Discover more Derbyshire offers and days out with Good Journey.
Getting to Cromford Mills car-free
Here's our recommended route to Cromford Mills. To get bus and train times and walking routes use our journey planner.
By train
There are regular trains to Cromford from:
- Belper (15 mins)
- Derby (25 mins)
- Duffield (20 mins, change from EVR)
- Matlock (5 mins, change from Peak Rail)
- Nottingham (65 mins)
Change trains at Derby from:
- Birmingham New Street (35 mins), East Midlands Parkway (10 mins),
- Cheshire & South Yorkshire: Alsager (60 mins), Crewe (70 mins), Sheffield (30 mins),
- Derbyshire & Staffordshire: Burton-on-Trent (10 mins), Chesterfield (20 mins), Stoke-on-Trent (45 mins), Tamworth (10 mins), Uttoxeter (25 mins),
- Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire: Leicester (30 mins), Loughborough (20 mins), Newark Castle (60 mins),
- Further: Aberdeen, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Central, Penzance and Plymouth.
Search for train times and cheaper tickets with Good Journey.
Walk for 10 minutes.
By bus from Matlock
Bus 158 runs direct from Matlock to Cromford Mills. Buses leave from Old English – 5 mins from the train station, or Bakewell Road Stand B near M&S. The journey takes 5-10 mins. Jump of at Arkwright Mill. Walk 1 min.
Buses x17, 6.1, 110 and 111 stop at Market Place and TP at Cross Roads. Walk 5 mins.
All buses except bus 158 stop at Matlock Bath Fishpond Hotel.
By bus from Wirksworth
Buses x17, 6.1, 110 and 111 run from Wirksworth, stopping nearby. Buses leave from Market Place. The journey takes about 10 minutes. Jump off at Market Place. Walk 5 mins.
Wirksworth is home to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.
By bus from Derby, Duffield and Belper
Buses run regularly.
- Derby indoor bus station – Transpeak TP (45 mins) or The Sixes 6.1 (55 mins)
- Duffield King Street – Transpeak TP (30 mins) or The Sixes 6.1 (40 mins) (Change from EVR)
- Belper indoor bus garage or The Lion Hotel – Transpeak TP (20 mins) or The Sixes 6.1 (30 mins)
Jump off bus TP at Cross Roads. Jump off bus 6.1 at Market Place. Walk 5 mins.
By bus from Buxton and Bakewell
Buses run regularly.
- Buxton Market Place shelter (Transpeak TP, 75 mins).
- Bakewell shelter A (Transpeak, 30 mins or The Sixes 6.1, 40 mins)
Jump off bus TP at Cross Roads. Jump off bus 6.1 at Market Place. Walk 5 mins.
By bus from Barnsley, Sheffield and Chesterfield
Bus X17 runs regularly
- Sheffield indoor Centre Interchange C2 (100 mins)
- Chesterfield sheltered Coach Station Bay C (50 mins)
Jump off at Market Place. Walk 5 mins.
By bus from Ashbourne
Bus 110 and bus 111 run a few times per day (none on Sundays).
- Ashbourne bus shelter (45 mins)
Jump off at Market Place. Walk 5 mins.
About Cromford Mills
Built in 1771 by Sir Richard Arkwright, it is the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill and a cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution.
During your visit explore the history of Cromford Mills and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and discover the captivating story of how the Derwent Valley changed the world in the 18th Century with the growth of the British cotton industry.
Sir Richard Arkwright’s invention of the cotton-spinning machine, the waterframe, revolutionised the cotton industry, transforming it from a small cottage industry to one of large-scale factory production. Arkwright became known as the ‘Father of the Factory System’ for launching the world’s first production line. These ideas lead to the growth of hundreds of Arkwright style cotton mills across the country and by the early 1800s cotton was Britain’s major import and export.
A visit to Cromford Mills will introduce you to this amazing moment in history as you explore the mill yard and adjacent workers village.
For any queries about visiting contact Cromford Mills on 01629 823256 or [email protected]
Address: Cromford Mills, Mill Lane, Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ. Visit Website