Whaley Bridge is a small village that is situated in Derbyshire’s north-western hills where it sits astride the main A6 trunk road in the Vale of Goyt.

As with many busy Peak District villages, Whaley is easily accessible from all parts, namely by road and rail from cities such as Manchester, Stoke on Trent and Sheffield.

The Peak Forest canal towpath offers an alternative way into Whaley for walkers and for those who perhaps own a barge or boat.

Like many towns and villages in the Peak District, Whaley also celebrates the tradition of Wells Dressing. This very ancient custom is believed to originate from the time of the great Plague when these wells were often the only places that could offer local people water that was free of the disease.

Another important thing it shares in common with many other peakland villages, and that is its industrial heritage. There are many remains around Whaley for everyone to examine at their leisure, from the canal basin itself, to the architectural remains of the old mills, railways and its former coal mining era.

It cannot be denied, this area has its roots steeped in the annals of history, and none more so than when the long defunct Cromford and High Peak railway once linked the Peak Forest canal at Whaley Bridge with the Cromford canal some 33 miles away to the southeast at Cromford Wharf.

At nearby Bugsworth Basin, which is on an arm of the Peak Forest canal just a little to the north and east of Whaley, there was once a link here with the vast limestone workings at Dove Holes, north of Buxton, where the Peak Forest tramway transported the quarry material on steeply inclined wagon ways down to waiting barges at Bugsworth Basin.

For those who want to get away from it all, walkers are certainly well catered for all around Whaley Bridge. At this point, we must not forget that there are many other leisure activities on offer, angling on the canal or Todd Brook reservoir, bird watching, which can be carried out almost everywhere.

Then there is cycling or mountain biking, sailing and a host of other outdoor leisure activities available at many close-by locations.

From here, walkers can gain access into the beautiful and very popular Goyt Valley to the south, and then explore the wonders of the open moorland beyond.

There is no countryside better than the visitor will find anywhere, than here within the Peak District of Derbyshire.