Ripley: Railway, Greenway and Industrial Heritage

Ripley brings together several distinct themes for planning a trip: historic railways, a traffic-free multi-use trail, industrial history and local history. What shapes your stay depends on whether you are planning a train ride, a walk or cycle, a visit to historic buildings and sites, or an event. The main factors to consider are the timetable, trail length and changing event dates.

Railway and Greenway

Midland Railway – Butterley operates passenger services on most weekends of the year and daily during Derbyshire school holidays. As the timetable can change, check the times for your visit date. Swanwick Junction is normally visited by taking a historic train. Midland Railway Trust Ltd. also offers rides on historic trains that transport visitors to a bygone era. If you are planning your visit for a specific day, the timetable is an important guide; the historic train rides also offer an experience of their own.

The Ripley Greenway is a traffic-free multi-use route for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. The easy route is approximately two miles long and takes 45 to 60 minutes to walk. The section running south from Outram Street to Lumb Farm has an asphalt surface and street lighting. As route conditions and accessibility can change, it is worth checking before setting off.

Architecture and industrial history

The Church of All Saints is a parish church built by the Butterley Company in 1821; it is a Grade II listed building. The Butterley Works site preserves a rare combination of a canal tunnel, an underground wharf, and features of underground mining and mineral extraction. The Butterley Ironworks site is a Scheduled Monument and is associated with the founding of Benjamin Outram & Co. in 1790. Butterley Station is a Grade II listed railway station and now serves as a museum.

Butterley Reservoir is another part of the area’s history: built around 1795, it is the largest of three reservoirs constructed to supply the Cromford Canal. Local history includes the founding of Benjamin Outram & Co. in 1790, the construction of Butterley Reservoir around 1795, and the parish church built in 1821.

Local history, markets and events

Ripley Library has books on local and family history that can be borrowed or consulted as reference works. A microfilm and microfiche reader provides access to Derbyshire trade directories and census records from 1841 to 1901 for Ripley and the surrounding area. If you would like to use these materials, check the reader’s availability and access arrangements before your visit.

The Ripley Charter Market was established in 1250 by royal decree of Henry III and is considered one of the oldest markets in Derbyshire. Independent shops in Ripley offer specialist goods and personal service; individual shops may change. The market’s historic tradition and today’s independent shops represent two distinct aspects of local life.

The Ripley Music Festival has been held annually since 2001. Events take place at various venues in the town and culminate in a weekend of entertainment at Crossley Park. Admission is free; the programme and venues may change between editions. So check the dates and details for the specific edition. The Ripley Show also has a long tradition: it is over 170 years old and is still held, though the dates vary from year to year.

Another option for a creative activity is the hands-on workshops run by by HeatherMay in Ripley. Activities include candle making, pottery, silver jewellery, floristry and fused glass. As the workshops may change, it is advisable to check the current offering before planning a particular activity.

Discover more destinations: Ault Hucknall, Kirk Langley, Furness Vale, Smalley, Chelmorton, Clay Cross, Alfreton, Taddington

For the main travel overview: Derbyshire.