Little Eaton: Bridge, Canal History and Walks
Accommodation in Little Eaton
Little Eaton combines a vivid industrial history with walks through a varied landscape. Between historic transport routes, a former mill site and the Bottle Brook, you can discover a place whose past remains visible in several locations today. When planning your trip, it is worth combining culture and activity: a walk leads to traces of the past, while the Little Eaton Walk and a public footpath along the route of a disused tramway offer different ways to explore the surrounding area.
Bridge, Peckwash Mill and Canal History
Among the notable historic buildings is the Church of St Paul, a Grade II listed building. Another distinctive feature is Jack O'Darley's Bridge. The bridge carried the turnpike road in Little Eaton over the Bottle Brook and has three semicircular arches. It was built as part of the Alfreton and Derby turnpike, which opened in 1807. This structure therefore illustrates how earlier transport links shaped the village.
Peckwash Mill also represents the area's long history of use. The site stands on the grounds of a 13th-century corn mill and was one of the country's largest paper mills in the 19th century. Peckwash Mill is not open to the public. However, a footpath runs along the edge of the site and allows you to get your bearings at this historic location without entering the area covered by the access restrictions.
The canal history also reaches far back. The Little Eaton Canal was built in 1794; in May 1795, coal was delivered to Derby via the canal for the first time. In the south of the village, Outram's Wharf, the Clock House and a short section of the Little Eaton Canal can still be seen. These individual traces can be included as separate discoveries during a stay, without implying any particular visiting route.
Walks Along the Bottle Brook and Through Little Eaton
Anyone wishing to explore Little Eaton on foot can start the Little Eaton Walk on Church Lane. The Little Eaton Walk is approximately 3.75 miles long and runs mostly along well-established footpaths and surfaced paths. The approximate distance is a useful guide for planning your day. In addition, the route of a disused tramway in the valley is now a well-used public footpath. Along Main Street, remnants of the Little Eaton Tramway can still be seen running parallel to the road.
The final 2.7 miles of the Bottle Brook run through Little Eaton. Its banks are home to, among other species, otters, water voles, mink, foxes, badgers, rabbits and muntjac deer. Depending on your focus, you can therefore place historic buildings, waterways or a longer walk at the centre of your plans.
The Right Base for Planning Your Trip
When looking for holiday accommodation in Little Eaton, it helps to make a clear decision about the focus you want for your trip. If you mainly want to discover Jack O'Darley's Bridge, Peckwash Mill and the canal history, the historic sites will take centre stage. If walks and nature observation are more important to you, the Bottle Brook and the available walking opportunities will be the focus.
Discover More Places
Other places to include in your travel plans are Duffield, Buxton, Tideswell, Risley, Hartington, North Wingfield, Belper and Cromford.
For the broader travel overview: Derbyshire.
