Barry Phillips Smith<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://mstdn.social/@GoodCheerPixie" class="u-url mention">@<span>GoodCheerPixie</span></a></span> </p><p>If you are in reasonably easy <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/rail" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>rail</span></a> travel distance of <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/Derby" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Derby</span></a>, there is a local line that goes up the <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/Derwent" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Derwent</span></a> Valley (<a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/UNESCO" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>UNESCO</span></a> World Heritage Site) between Derby and Matlock with a decent service and all stations offering good walking right off the platform. </p><p>The station at <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/Whatstandwell" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Whatstandwell</span></a> (yes, it is a place) backs straight onto the <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/Cromford" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Cromford</span></a> <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/Canal" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Canal</span></a>, a 6 mile strech of isolated remnant canal, from which you can either head SW towards <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/Ambergate" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Ambergate</span></a>, or NE to Cromford and the <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/historic" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>historic</span></a> mills. Lots of other interesting stuff along the route, including High Peak Junction, the western end of the High Peak Trail with it's famous Incline. </p><p><a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/Matlock" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Matlock</span></a> and Matlock Bath are also good towns to walk around, as is <a href="https://universeodon.com/tags/Belper" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Belper</span></a> at the southern end of the valley, again with more historic mills adjacent to the River Gardens</p>