Discover Baslow: River, Bridge and Paths at Chatsworth Park

Baslow combines riverside scenery, historic buildings and varied paths to create a destination offering many different impressions. The village lies on the banks of the River Derwent and on the northern edge of Chatsworth Park. Those looking for a holiday apartment or accommodation for their stay can choose between short excursions, longer days of walking and cultural and historical discoveries here.

Historic places in the village

One striking structure is Baslow Bridge. Its present form dates largely from the early 17th century. A small, gabled toll booth is attached at the north-western end – an unusual detail that vividly illustrates the history of the crossing. Some stones from Baslow’s old river crossing may be visible when the river level is at its lowest in summer.

The Church of St Anne also contributes to Baslow’s historic character. It is a Grade II* listed building and a parish church dating from the 13th and 15th centuries, restored in 1852–1853. On the east side, the clock face bears the inscription “VICTORIA 1897”. For a stay with an interest in architectural history and local details, this provides a distinct cultural focus without requiring the day to consist solely of walks.

Walks ranging from short to longer options

There are six walks around Baslow. The short options are 3 to 5 miles long, while the longer options are 6 to 8 miles. This selection makes planning your day easier: you can schedule a shorter route or choose a longer circuit if the landscape is to be the focus of the day. The walks begin and end at the village’s main car park, which has toilets.

The Derwent Valley Heritage Trail also runs through Baslow. This makes it possible to place the village within a broader walking plan, while the different route lengths around Baslow provide their own choice during your stay. The moors above Baslow preserve Bronze Age huts, fields, stone circles, burial mounds and clearance cairns. Anyone wishing to combine landscape and history will find a particularly historic aspect of the surrounding area there.

River, houses and the route to Chatsworth House

At Goose Green in Nether End, a narrow packhorse bridge leads towards Chatsworth House. The route passes thatched houses and reinforces the impression of a village where historic elements are not found only in individual buildings. When choosing your accommodation, it may therefore be decisive whether you want to experience Baslow primarily as a starting point for walks, as a place for cultural and historical impressions, or as a combination of both types of travel.

Several pubs, cafés and restaurants in the village offer opportunities for a break or to round off the day. This allows you to combine a holiday apartment in Baslow with an itinerary that takes account not only of individual sights, but also of walks, riverside scenery and the local atmosphere.

Baslow as a base for exploring the surrounding area

If you are looking for more places to include in your travel plans, you can also consider Earl Sterndale, Hathersage, Willington, Bakewell, Eyam, Tideswell, Whatstandwell and Clowne. Baslow itself is particularly suited to travellers seeking a place with the River Derwent, historic crossings, designated walking options and visible traces of the past.

For the higher-level travel overview: Derbyshire.