Wirksworth

Wirksworth is a historical market town 4 miles south of Matlock with a population of around 5,200 (2023) in Derbyshire, England.

Get in

Travelling to Wirksworth is easy from most directions. There are regular bus services to and from Bakewell, Matlock, Derby, Ashbourne and Sheffield Meadowhall. The town is 11 miles north of Derby, and 4 miles south of Matlock and is located on the B5023 between Duffield and Cromford.

Get around

Wirksworth is a small town and it is easy to get around. However, Bolehill and The Haarlem Mill areas are both around 1.5 miles from the town centre and it is advisable to get the 6.1 bus to either destination if you are old or less able to walk. Central Wirksworth is completely walkable, though quite steep in some places.

See

There are several attractions around the town, including St. Mary's Church, Puzzle Gardens — a group of small alleyways and jitties in north-west central Wirksworth — the restored Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, the Star Disc star-gazing site, and a Heritage Centre near the Market Place.

• 1 Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Coldwell Street, DE4 4FB, ☏ +44 1629 823076, ticketoffice@e-v-r.com. Operates from Wirksworth station in the east of the town. Trains run to and from Duffield, near Derby, where they connect with main-line services, and there is a half-mile northern extension to Ravenstor and a public footpath to the National Stone Centre. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 National Stone Centre, Porter Lane (about 1 mile/1.6 km north of Wirksworth), ☏ +44 1629 824833. An exhibition and study centre in a disused quarry (part of which has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest) where you can learn about the different types of rocks and fossils.  
• 3 Derbyshire Eco Centre (about 1 mile/1.6 km north of Wirksworth), ☏ +44 1629 533038. The county hub for courses and activities focusing on education for sustainable development. The Peak tors include a number of archeological sites. 
• 4 Wirksworth Heritage Centre, 31 St John's St, ☏ +44 1629 825225. Local history museum, with cafe, gallery and gift shop. (updated Jun 2017)
• 5 Star Disc, Green Hill (pedestrian and disabled access: DE4 4EN; designated parking for Stoney Wood: DE4 4FR). A 21st-century stone circle and celestial amphitheatre created by Aidan Shingler. It spans 12 metres (40 ft). Carved into black granite is a star chart that mirrors the northern hemisphere’s night sky. It is free to visit and open to anyone and everyone, 24 hr a day, all year round. See website for special events. Email via website contact page. (updated Sep 2018)
• 6 St Marys Church, St. Marys Gate, Wirksworth DE4 4DQ. (updated Feb 2021)
• Greenhill, The Dale & Puzzle Gardens. (updated Feb 2021)
• 7 Steeple Grange Light Railway, Porter Lane The Engine House, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4GE. (updated Feb 2021)
• Middleton Top & High Peak Trail. (updated Feb 2021)

Do

• 1 Carsington Water. Reservoir, activities include: walking, cycling, fly fishing, birdwatching, sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. In addition to water sports and a sailing club, there are walking and cycle routes around the reservoir. Cycle hire is available and you can also get refreshments there. 
• 2 The Northern Light Cinema, North End, DE4 4FG, ☏ +44 1629 337513 (box office), tickets@tnlcinema.co.uk. W-Su 6:30-10:30PM. Small independent cinema in converted former electrical showroom - "charming, quaint, quirky, friendly, sometimes challenging but always good fun." (updated Mar 2016)

Events

• Wirksworth Festival: September. A major celebration of the creative and performing arts in September. It combines free events, like the Gig on the Roof (a music festival outside the Hope and Anchor pub), and paying events, and includes the popular Art and Architecture Trail. (date needs updating)
• Wirksworth Book Festival. It takes place across the first two weeks in April each year. A celebration of books and reading, showcasing local writers and venues throughout the town. 

Buy

• 1 Traid Links, 20 Market Place, DE4 4ET, ☏ +44 1629 824393, info@traid-links.co.uk. M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 11AM-4PM. A member of the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers, selling a range of fair trade food, chocolate, snacks, jewellery, crafts & gifts. (updated Aug 2017)

Eat

• 1 Le Mistral Restaurant, 23 Market Place, ☏ +44 1629 824840. 

Drink

• 1 Royal Oak, 14 North End. 
• Hope & Anchor. (updated Feb 2021)

Sleep

Wirksworth also has a range of campsites, hotels, youth hostels, and bed and breakfasts.

• 1 The Old Lock Up, 46 North End, ☏ +44 1629 826272. 
• 2 The Old Manor House, Coldwell Street, ☏ +44 1629 822502. 
• 3 Hoegrange, Hoe Grange, Brassington, ☏ +44 1629 540262. 

Connect

As of March 2024, Wirksworth and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers, though it's patchy with Vodafone. 5G has not yet reached this area.

Go next

• 1 Cromford
• 2 Matlock
• 3 Belper
• 4 Ripley
• 5 Alfreton
• 6 Ashbourne
• 7 Bakewell
• 8 Derby
• 9 Chesterfield