Bamford: Trails, moorland and heritage

Moorland surrounds Bamford, and the River Derwent flows through the village. Highlights for your stay include trails of varying lengths, historic buildings and an annual local event. When looking for a hotel in Bamford, you can consider whether you’d like to focus your trip on walks and cycling routes or on local history.

Village character and trails

The routes vary in length and starting point. The Thornhill Trail is a two-mile permissive path running north from Thornhill Lane to Yorkshire Bridge near Bamford. It is traffic-free and intended for pedestrians and cyclists. At its stated length, it is shorter than the other described routes of four and 5.3 miles, as well as the two trails starting at Fairholmes.

The 5.3-mile Bamford-to-Hope walk via Win Hill starts and ends at bus stops on Travel South Yorkshire Route 272 between Sheffield and Castleton.

A four-mile walk along Bamford Edge starts and ends at the Yorkshire Bridge Inn in Bamford. Along the way, it offers views over Ladybower Reservoir and towards Win Hill.

For a cycling trip, the Hope Valley Cycle Routes – Upper Derwent Valley route starts and ends at Bamford railway station. Derwent Bike Hire is located at the Fairholmes car park in Derwent, Bamford. Two other trails also start there: the 5.5-mile Ladybower and the Lost Villages Trail and the 10.5-mile Derwent, Howden and Slippery Stones Trail both start at the main car park at Fairholmes. They share a starting point but differ by five miles in their stated lengths. This provides a clear comparison when choosing a route distance for your plans.

History and buildings

A Bronze Age cairn stands at Bamford Edge and is listed on the National Heritage List for England. Its size, location and relative isolation suggest that it was used for burial purposes.

Bamford Mill and St John the Baptist’s Church also shape the village’s architectural history. Bamford Mill is a predominantly three-storey mill building made of gritstone. St John the Baptist’s Church is listed as a Grade II* building. William Butterfield built it between 1856 and 1860. Together, the mill and church offer two distinct points of interest for exploring Bamford’s historic architecture.

Event and dining

The Bamford Sheep Dog Trials take place every year on the Monday of the Spring Bank Holiday, the last Monday in May. The event is held at Bamford with Thornhill Recreation Ground. If you’d like to include the trials in your travel plans, check the specific date for the year in question.

The Anglers Rest in Bamford serves classic pub dishes and seasonal specialities. Check the current opening hours before visiting. This lets you include a meal in your day’s plans without assuming it will be available at a particular time of year.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: North Wingfield, Birch Vale, Long Eaton, Walton, Chelmorton, Furness Vale, Stoney Middleton, Wirksworth

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