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 nearby plus the Peak District
scenery, it is no surprise that Derbyshire people, wherever they
may be, agree that there's no place like home.
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