Even within "the grey" colour can still be found: Discovering the magic of Cromford.

November eh? A month that is meant to be cold, miserable and rather horrible by comparison to other months of the year - well that is what I thought? And, we all know what thought did. Still though the recent weather so far this month has been anything but cold! Miserable, yes to some extent but the mild weather has made the month of November so far - just that little more bearable which means that getting out and about in November has been possible. Still though, the 11th of November 2021 was a day that I had thought would have been rather fair, with some autumnal sunshine, but did that happen? No it did not; instead the cloud was low and a mist had formed, damp it was but that did not stop me from visiting the delightful little village of Cromford, a place that most people will drive through without stopping off to explore. Yet those who do stop off in Cromford know it’s secrets - the kinds of secrets that are just worth discovering and exploring.

“Cromford is a village like no other, binded with scenery that melts into old industry as you take a walk amongst the unique shops. What will you find? Curiosities everywhere that are just inviting you to explore and discover and around each corner, from the lake to the mills and the canal are photo opportunities each step of the way.”

Of course when I had arrived in Cromford it was grey, damp - miserable conditions to say the least, but would I be letting that spoil my trip here? Definitely not, instead I was ready to explore, the first port of call was a fantastic art gallery, one that was small but perfectly formed and a treasure trove of artisanal crafts and works that just somehow captivate the mind, each one different and speaking a language all to themselves, curious yes but this art gallery has something for everyone. After taking the plunge and dipping my toes into the first port of call I crossed the road, the busy B5036 to the left of me carrying traffic that meets up with the heavy thunderous trucks and other vehicles that come down the A5012 (Via Gellia) are probably the first things that people will find out about Cromford, not to mention the crossroads at the bottom of the village and the A6 that splits the village in half. Having crossed the road I was now in front of “The Greyhound Hotel” here is where Cromford has a sort of market place, a central hub that is used as a car park, the architecture on this side of the road is akin to something that would not be out of place in Switzerland - then again I suppose Cromford is like “Little Switzerland” and that in itself is all part of the charm about it.

From the marketplace past the shops I walked a short distance before turning left, up a road that two years prior I had walked on, hidden and mysterious the houses and buildings on “the promenade” are enough to get anyone's minds questioning how the angle and steepness of the land could be built on - yet engineering from years ago seemingly solved those problems, gardens of the buildings on an incline with a sheer rock face at the back, yet amongst the grey and drizzle I walked, past the aptly named “boat inn” a pub that overlooks the delightful secretive and somewhat “blink and you would miss it” delightful mill pond, built for the nearby mill that sits out of sight. I had remembered from my last visit to this location a glorious waterfall, and whilst it was a tricky shot to get, from a pub-car park I managed to get the following photo. Notice how even with the drab grey scene colour was visible.

Seek and you will find a waterfall.

A short few steps in front of me  was the next delightful stop, behind me a bookshop and in front of me the millpond - the autumnal mist in the distance hanging around at the top of the trees made of an ethereal scene yet amongst the grey in front of me was the magical tones of Autumnal colour washing itself over an otherwise drab and murky scene; needless to say that I was stunned at how calming it was, I got my camera and took the following photos.

Grey over the millpond.

Window of colour.

Red on the lake.

Afterwards it was time to enter the delightful “Scarthin Books” a bookshop like no other and one that feels like a Tardis, only with bohemian features, each room different and each room with a theme, first though lunch called and for me it was the most delightful homity pie, with a Chickpea salad, butterbean salad and coleslaw mixed with a fresh leaf salad, it was truly on another level, Theresa, she had the glorious Falafel salad bowl, with fresh salad and hummus, cakes were consumed afterwards yet the café in Scarthin Books, is located in the Cookery section; after our lunch it was time to explore the bookshop. I had previously visited Scarthin Books some two years prior - but some things never change and each of the rooms in the book shop lend themselves to the lens, the music room with it’s sheet music wallpaper and the art room with an Arabic theme to it, yes just wandering around Scarthin Books is worth it, just to see how quirky it is.

An entry to books.

A pause amongst the arts.

When the arts surround you.

The waiting room.

There are bookshops then there is Scarthin Books, if you get the chance to visit when you are in Cromford do so, and it is one that has been featured in The Guardian (and many other publications) as being one of the best independent bookshops in the country. Finally after a Perouse in the bookshop and a delightful lunch it was time to continue on the exploration of Cromford. Coming outside from the bookshop - rain, damp it was but would I let that put me off? No, I cherished every moment of the Autumnal magic. I stood and looked behind me, the bookshop on the left and captured the following photo.

Enter the Tardis of Scarthin.

I continued walking ahead, the grey weather was dramatic and another photo opportunity, the leading line of the small road that leads from Scarthin Books, towards Via Gellia made for a welcome and somewhat different shot. I ended up getting the following, moody yes but again things felt so still and peaceful.

Autumn in the air.

I was now heading in the direction of Via Gellia, a mysterious road that is enough to give anyone who drives it “the hypothetical kittens” it is a road that is not for the faint hearted that has unparalleled scenery, but it was one that I had to cross, upon crossing the lower part of Via Gellia, it was a short walk until I crossed it again, this time I was facing the millpond,, the low cloud and mist made things slightly eerie, haunted almost but I could not help capturing the scenes of Cromford from a different angle - the buildings and Scarthin Books; on the other side of the millpond looked slightly fairy tale like; thought provoking maybe and that is what Cromford is like, mysterious in a fantastical way, that captures the mind and tells stories.

Swans dance on the Millpond.

Orange glows.

Autumn clings on.

Scarthin amongst Autumnal colour.

The thinking spot.

Via Gellia is ahead.

Even in the grey colour can still be found.

“Cromford is one of those unique places, captivating almost hippy places that no matter what time of the year it is always changing in front of you, the views and the magic of the place makes it unique - throw in the A6 in the middle and it splits the village, for exploration is key here.”

And it sure was, after walking around the village and the incredibly delicious lunch at Scarthin Books, it was time to move on - this time a journey through time, a short while later and I had arrived at “Cromford Mills” from the outside this place has mystery and curiosities written on the old walls that provide an echo and clues to what yesteryear would have been all about; and the millpond in Cromford village, well that is linked to the industry that would have once been producing goods at Cromford Mills - now silent from years gone by, the Mills at Cromford have been re-designed around the central courtyard, which amongst them has got many small independent unique shops and a museum in which you can take a trip back through time and discover the stories and life amongst the Mills of Cromford. The scale of the Mills along with the interesting watercourse that runs through the courtyard make for interesting photography subjects and despite the rain having now stopped, the old Mills had a strange colour, on the rocks behind the mills, the trees were orange, red and yellow, a painting amongst the man made art work of the old industrial past.

Plunge.

Water and colour.

When water turns soft.

The power source.

Generating the old ghosts.

The rush of sinking water.

Steps in the courtyard.

Water watches the steps.

Silk in water.

Close to the rush.

Still though one could also say that Cromford is also “An Oasis of Calm” and that is a slight play on words, as the last place that I would be discovering was a railway station - Yes, the Derwent Valley Line is one of the most scenic in the country and links Derby to Matlock, but as the line heads north from Belper elements of Little Switzerland become apparent as the railway line hugs and criss-crosses the Derwent which is never too far away from where the train goes. Yet the Station at Cromford also has a musical past, it is here that a very well known British Indie Band (Oasis) used the platform and the swiss looking building on the cover for “Some might say.”

Some might say that this is Cromford. And it is. The building in the background is now self catering accommodation.

Now the building that is on the album cover is now holiday accommodation, and you can stay in a building that has links to Oasis and links with G.H Stokes who was the son in law of Joseph Paxton, Joseph Paxton was known for the Cavendish Wall at Chatsworth and The Crystal Palace which was built at Hyde park. Yet here I was on the platform, the light had dropped; well that is Autumn for you, the dampness still in the air, and I captured the following photos of this mysterious yet architectural gem of a railway station.

The Oasis of Cromford.

At an Oasis station.

Some might say the orange glow.

In Cromford or Switzerland?

Independent and quirky shops along with Industrial might - now standing as old ghosts waiting to be explored by public transport which has musical veins running through and scenery like no other, for Cromford is one place that instead of passing through on the way to the Peak District National Park, actually needs and invites you into discover it. For discovering a place on a grey day is perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea/coffee but even within the grey colour can still be found, and it goes without saying that despite the damp weather, the rain and mist the magic of Cromford was found.

Finding Eden and serendipity. A walk through Shining Cliff Woods.

The Derbyshire Dales are known for being a little bit more laid back than the peak district, in some ways they are less well known about which means that secrets can be found and one of those places I rediscovered just last week is the glorious named - “Shining Cliff Woods” which has a certain magical charm just within the name, still I had arrived at the off road car parking for Shining Cliff Woods and crossed the road, in front of me a small information board about the woodlands and the main path lay ahead of me; I say the word path rather loosely as it is more of an unmarked road which all forms part of the curiosities that would eventually be ahead of me, either way for a September’s day the weather was just spectacular and the arched avenue of trees that lay ahead of me looked purely magical with the light seeping through the canopy below onto the path in front of me.

Portals ahead.

A green corridor.

What mystery around the corner.

I carried on walking and the path I was following became more and more mystical, a path forked off to the right, but instead I was curious to carry on - that I did and to the left and the right hidden amongst the trees were the outlines of houses nestled within the woods hiding like lairs from a Bond film.

“Hidden homes like lairs from a James Bond film, for this woodland is curious I thought to myself, surrounded by the tall trees and a sense of mystery made me want to explore further”

Eventually after quite a gentle yet long gradient up the mystical path with the hidden lairs owned by people who prefer a much quieter way of life hidden amongst the calm of the surrounding woodlands I eventually found myself in a natural amphitheater with trees surrounding something that resembled a natural sculpture - the shades of green in the background left me in awe, I paused for a moment and needless to say I was pleased with the following results.

Amphitheatre of trees.

A woodland dream ahead.

Behind me was the more modern path that I had walked on and shortly after that had come to an abrupt end I was now on an old path - riddled with stories and curiosities along with height. Yes trees on all sides and I looked to my right hand side, it was like I was flying through the trees and the canopy of trees reaching towards the light was something to behold.

Flight amongst a woodland canopy.

Along the old ancient pathway I continued to walk, I was in pure serendipity with nothing but silence, the sounds of the woodland was just music of a different kind and ahead of me a right turn that I eventually took, whilst I could have continued walking ahead, this right turn was a route that many years ago I would have been on, but there are some things as you get older that you seemingly forget. Either way I turned right and headed down another ancient pathway with curiosities and stories from times gone by. Each tree was different and each view different but what lay ahead was a location that was like no other and nothing would prepare me for what I would next come across. In the distance a break in the trees and signs of human life. What is this place? I thought to myself was it perhaps some kind of Eden amongst the woods? In front of me a bridge across a small stream, surrounded by greenery perfectly framed made for, and ideal photograph.

A bridge to Eden.

This was truly Eden I had arrived in. Surrounded by the trees of Shining Cliff Woods, I had found myself at a delightful lake, man-made many years ago it was a haven, a lady stood with her golden retriever who was throwing a stick into the water and a ball, for the golden retriever to fetch as long as he swam out into the lake,

A warning sign.

Lost in Eden.

Eden brings us closer.

then collected them before making a circuit back along the side of the lake to his owner - clearly the golden retriever was loving this and enjoying the serenity of this magical location. Although, I had clocked a waterfall, a small waterfall partly man-made to carry the water of Peatpits brook, downstream from the lake.

Autumn drops.

Autumn calls of the waterfall.

In a green dream. 

The wooden bridge over the stream/brook looked just as delightful, this time from a different angle again flanked by greenery and perfectly framed and I paused and just took everything in.

The frame - (Landscape).

The frame - (Portrait).

Within photography very often the best photographs are often the most simple scenes and in front of me was simplicity for need I say anymore? Still though it was time for me to move on from this little slice of Eden with the hidden lake, I continued downhill following the watercourse of Peatpits brook until another little slice of magic appeared, curious I looked back and captured the following photographs of the brook and the cascades of some more hidden waterfalls.

Scenes from a middle earth - (Landscape).

Scenes from a middle earth - (Portrait).

Downstream runs mystery.

Stunned and amazed at this cascade of calm I walked downhill, the path in front of me becoming more and more intriguing with the shapes and shades changing all the time, was this some kind of Alice in wonderland I was walking through? No it was a woodland but one that felt as if it could have been wonderland - one which Alice would have felt comfortable in, the trees around me just looked alien in one way or another and each one different, different textures and shapes, colours as well, pure magic and pure silence was all around. Mystical and ethereal the shades and shapes of the trees just paved an interesting path downhill.

Into the unknown.

Natural Towers.

Golden route down - (Portrait).

Golden route down - (Landscape).

Wooden aliens - (Portrait).

Wooden aliens are alive - (Landscape).

Into a woodland bliss - (Portrait).

Into a woodland bliss - (Landscape).

Afterwards I ended up in a location that would be best described as slightly “dystopian and abandoned” where the woodlands had met industry and lurking amongst the abandoned buildings was a Gin Distillery (White Peak Distillery), how amazing is that! I thought to myself, their signature Gin is a nod to the woodland that I had just walked through and is available here: https://www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk/product/shining-cliff-floral-gin/

Still I had to continue the walk, and having asked someone at the distillery for directions it was now a walk through the abandoned dystopia of old industry, old wireworks forgotten made for interesting compositions and eventually I mounted the camera on my tripod and captured the following scenes of this eerie and spooky location - once it would have been alive, now forgotten but what stories did it have to tell? What was the future going to be for this place I wondered to myself?

Wire rush? - (Portrait).

Wire rush - (Landscape).

Yesterdays ghosts - (Black and White).

Onwards and upwards I left the old abandoned pieces of dystopia, the silence was bliss yet in the air from times gone by the tones of work being carried out could still be heard within the mind, I continued walking and before long I came across an abandoned old set of cottages, ruined they were but somehow a photogenic quality provided a curiosity that I had to capture.

The waiting game - (Black and White).

The waiting game - (Colour).

Abandoned in time - (Black and white).

For what were those cottages and why had they been abandoned? Is what I thought and perhaps a part of me was wanting to imagine what those cottages would look like if they were restored, maybe they were a project in waiting, but either way they provided a final contrast to what had been a stunning walk through Shining Cliff Woods, after I had captured the abandoned cottages it was time to walk back up a hidden incline and join the path that I had started the walk on, in the back of my mind at this stage was why is this woodland full of mystery and why did it hold both a hidden Eden and serendipity? I have no idea, but I do know that I shall be back to discover some more, especially now that it is autumn the woodland will hold even more secrets and things to discover, just in a different way. Still though I shall say thankyou to you lockdown, you have given me the ability and chance to explore the unexplored and get off the beaten track.