Belper

Belper is a town in the Amber Valley of Derbyshire, 7 miles north of Derby, with a population in 2011 of 21,823. It's been industrial since medieval times, thanks to nearby deposits of ironstone, made into nails and other ironware. It also became a textile town and its mills are part of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. It's by no means picturesque but it's close to attractive countryside in the Peak District west and north.

Get in

By train

Belper is on the mainline between Derby and Chesterfield/Sheffield, although it is only served by one main line train per weekday. It is also served by the Derwent Valley line between Nottingham, Derby and Matlock. Trains run roughly every hour - see www.thetrainline.com for timetable details. The station is unmanned but you must buy tickets from the machine on the Derby bound platform to any destination. (If you join at a station like Derby with a booking office you must buy your ticket beforehand.)

By bus

There are regular bus services to Derby, Nottingham, Manchester (a long but beautiful journey on TransPeak) and other local towns. For Ashbourne, change at Derby or take the less frequent direct service; for Nottingham, change at Derby.

By car or cycle

Belper is on the A6 and close to the A38. Major roads lead to Chesterfield, Nottingham, Derby, Matlock and Ashbourne.

Get around

Shanksie's pony is fine for the main part of town, but pack an extra bottle of pop if you're pushing a buggy or wheelchair from the river to St John's Chapel (especially if you go up Long Row - it's steep and cobbled). Park in the Derwent Street or Coppice car parks (free), Bridge Street, Field Lane and the River Gardens (all pay and display). Some on-street parking is also available.

See

• 1 Belper North Mill, Bridgefoot, ☏ +44 1773 880474, info@belpernorthmill.org. This is one of the oldest surviving cotton mills in the world, a world heritage site and well worth a visit. A walking tour round Belper is sometimes available from here taking you through the Cluster housing, past a nailmaker's workshop, along the jittys (aka gennels, channels, alleys, snickets, passageways) up to St John's Chapel (13th century) and finishing in one of the 30 or so pubs within a short walk. The North Mill website has a printable guide to the walk.  
• Beth's Poetry Trail. Installations of poems throughout the town and is a memorial to Beth Fender, the founder of Belper's two poetry groups. 
• A number of other walks also exist around the town.
• 2 The River Gardens. Pleasant, especially on Sunday afternoons in summer when free concerts are on. (updated Jun 2017)
• 3 Great British Car Journey, Derwent Works, Ambergate, DE56 2HE (3.5 miles North of Belper), ☏ +44 1773 317243, info@greatbritishcarjourney.com. Adults £15, Children £7. (updated Jul 2021)

Do

• 1 The Ritz, 76B King Street, ☏ +44 1773 822224. An independent one-screen cinema opened in late 2006. 
• 2 Belper Meadows Community Sports Centre, Christchurch Meadows DE56 IBA, belpermeadowssportsclub16@gmail.com. (updated Aug 2017)

Eat

There are Iceland, Morrisons and Co-op grocery shops within walking distance of town, and several sandwich and cake shops for a quick snack.

• 1 Fresh Basil, 23 Strutt Street, ☏ +44 1773 828882. A fantastic deli for breakfast and lunch. 
• 2 Bengal Blues, 4 Market Head (near marketplace), ☏ +44 1773 880444. Good Indian food. 
• 3 Maharaja, 17-18 Market Place, ☏ +44 1773 827817. Good Indian food. 
• 4 Elachi, 84 Bridge St (A6 opposite library). Good Indian food. 
• 5 River Gardens, 134 Bridge Street (bottom of Long Row), ☏ +44 1773 822468. Good for Chinese. 
• 6 New Ming Court, 22 Campbell Street (up from Morrisons roundabout), ☏ +44 1773 821968. Good for Chinese. 
• 7 George's, 18 Bridge Street (on the A6 next to the garage), ☏ +44 1773 828662. Excellent fish and chips. 

Drink

Belper is home to over 30 pubs.

• 1 Holly Bush Inn, Holly Bush Lane, Milford, ☏ +44 1332 841729. 
• White Peak Distillery makes whisky and gin, and offers tours. It's at Ambergate 3 miles north of Belper.

Sleep

• 1 The Lion Hotel, 24 Bridge Street, ☏ +44 1773 824033. 22 rooms from around £100 per night. 
• 2 Makeney Hall Hotel, Makeney Road, Milford, ☏ +44 1332 842999. 40 room around £50 pppn. 
• 3 Dannah Farm, Bowman's Lane, Shottle, Belper DE56 2DR, ☏ +44 1773 550273. Upscale B&B with 8 rooms on a farm in the Derbyshire Dales. B&B double £170. (updated Aug 2020)
• Lots of self-catering holiday cottages in and around town.

Connect

As of March 2024, Belper and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has not yet reached town.

Go next

• Cromford
• Ripley
• Derby

Routes through Belper

Matlock and the Peak District ← Cromford ←

N  S

→ Derby