Cromford - The Black
Rocks
w/e 06 April
2003
Derbyshire
and the Peak District can lay claim to many beauty spots. This
is just one of them. Not far from the start (or end) of the High
Peak Trail between Matlock and Wirksworth stands a landmark known
as the Black Rocks. This is the view of the Millstone Grit formation
from a picnic area on the trail that in a former life was a busy
railway line.
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There are
several information boards and signs hereabouts including this
one erected by the Forestry Commission. Well worn footpaths abound
but all lead gently upwards towards the vertical face that dominates
the surroundings.
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As we near
the rock face, a look back to Dene Quarry on the hillside opposite
reveals that industry in the area thrives side by side with the
tourist traffic that visits the Peak District throughout the
year.
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But this is
our objective - the Black Rocks. Perhaps they do not look very
impressive here as there is little to gauge the scale of them
but imagine 13 or 14 men standing on each other's shoulders and
that will give you an idea of the height. At 25m or 80 feet,
they are very popular with rock climbers. There is an easier
way up however by following the gentle incline to the right.
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Approaching the top and inching
carefully towards the edge, a bird's eye view of the village
of Cromford appears. Cromford is the place where the later to
be knighted, Richard Arkwright and his partners established in
1771 the first cotton-spinning mill thus heralding the start
of the industrial revolution. Cromford is in fact, often referred
to as the "Cradle of the Industrial Revolution".
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And this is
our reward at the very top- a wonderful view over Cromford and
the Derwent Valley where many sites of interest can be made out:-
 From the left, the cable car pylons
(1) at the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath; the chimney at
Masson Mill (2) at Cromford, one of two owned by Arkwright; another
beauty spot at High Tor (3), Matlock Bath with Matlock Town (4)
beyond; Willersley Castle (5) built of local stone as Arkwright's
mansion which he never occupied as he died before it was completed
and (6) the outline of Riber Castle on the ridge above Matlock.
With so many places of interest close at hand and the addition
of the Peak District scenery, it is no surprise that Derbyshire
people, wherever they may travel, agree that there is no place
like home.
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