Situated in the Derbyshire Dales on the edge of the Peak District, Wirksworth is a delightful town, rich in local culture and tradition. If you’re heading to the area for a weekend or mid-week walking break you won’t run out of things to do!
Delightful local walking routes are easy to combine with mooching around the shops, eateries and attractions of this pretty market town. We’ve chosen some of the best things to do in and around Wirksworth, as well as choosing some of our best hiking routes in the area. Make sure you read to the end of the list for the absolute best thing to do in Wirksworth! Clue: it’s magical!
Let me know in the comments what your favourite thing about Wirksworth is.
How to Spend the Perfect Walking Weekend in Wirksworth
(Including a 3-DAY ITINERARY)
Wirksworth is a delightful jumble of narrow streets and hidden alleys which wind you through the varied architecture of the town. From grand Georgian townhouses to small, stone workers cottages, there is a delight at every turn. From Roman times until the 19th century the town thrived from the lead mining industry. Limestone quarrying filled the gap when lead mining came to an end but the dirt and noise from this also changed the town.
By the 1970’s, Wirksworth was filled with dilapidated, empty buildings with much of its community dispersed to find work elsewhere. Happily, an award-winning European regeneration programme was able to completely transform the town, repairing its historic buildings and rebuilding a thriving town, packed with arts culture, for you to enjoy!
Full walk descriptions, maps and GPX of each walking route can be found in their main walk post.
Enjoy the Independent Shops, Galleries and Market Stalls
Wirksworth bustles with wonderful independent shops and galleries. You can browse handcrafted goods, pick up gifts and local produce and discover slick and quirky home and interior design stores.
Wirksworth is a market town and markets have run here for hundreds of years. There is now a market every Tuesday outside the Memorial Hall, selling delicious locally baked goods and fresh produce, artisan wares and gifts. In addition a monthly Farmer’s Market runs on a Saturday morning.
Wirksworth Shops and GalleriesTake a Trip to Nearby Towns and Hamlets
About a 25-minute drive from Wirksworth you’ll find the lovely town of Rowsley. Here we have a charming 4-mile walking route which takes you up to the pretty hamlets of Stanton Woodhouse, Pilhough and Congreave, with delightful views of Matlock and Haddon Hall along the way.
Situated where the river’s Wye and Derwent meet, Rowsley is known for its mills and you can still visit the well-preserved Victorian Caudwell’s Mill today. You can take a tour of the mill as visiting the craft centre, shop and cafe which go with it. If you want some further retail therapy you can pop into the Peak Village shopping centre and local art galleries, before finishing your trip in The Peacock hotel or Grouse and Claret pub.
Stanton Woodhouse from Rowsley WalkVisit St Mary’s Church and maybe even embrace it!
St Mary’s Church is a striking building which sits in the heart of Wirksworth. Dating back to the 12th century, with some parts thought to date back even further to Viking or Saxon times. There are regular tours up the bell tower, giving you fantastic views of the town and surrounding hills.
The stained glass windws in this Grade 1 listed building tell stories of the history of Wirksworth, where the church has stood as a focal point for so long.
If you visit the town during its annual (more on that later!) you can take part in the annual Clypping of the Church. This ancient tradition involves the community surrounding the church and embracing it by joining hands in an expression of devotion to St Mary and the church itself. The town is one of only a few in England to continue this tradition and they welcome visitors to join in.
Wirksworth Church ClyppingVisit During Carnival or Festival Time!
At first glance Wirksworth may look a fairly quiet town, but it is home to a packed calendar of events and activities year round. Two of these; the Carnival in May and the Festival in September, are a great time to visit the town and get an boost of culture and entertainment!
The Carnival is a chance for local traditions to be kept alive! Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday weekend you will find stalls, music, food, sports and other activities, as well as a parade. A particular highlight are the displays of well-dressings; a popular custom in the area involving hte decorating of wells and springs with intricate designs made of flower petals.
During the Wirksworth Festival you can follow an Art Trail around the town, as well as watching plays and listening to live music and a range of other acts. The Clypping of the Church (mentioned above) takes place during the festival.
Make sure you plan ahead if you’re visiting during Carnival or Festival time as accommodation can get booked up early
Roll Like a Stone to the National Stone Centre!
You pass the National Stone Centre on our 4-mile Black Rocks and StarDisc Walk from Wirksworth. As it’s so close to the town, you can stop and visit the centre then, or choose to head back up there later in your day. There is an on-site cafe, so it’s a fab spot to stop for refreshments on your walk too!
The National Stone Centre promises an educational day out exploring the wonders of geology and how the world was formed. Across its 40-acre site you can explore geo-trails, find fossils and pan for gems.
An added attraction are the centre’s courses in Dry Stone Walling and Stone Carving, which make a great gift for others or for yourself. These multi-day courses are aimed at beginners and introduce you to the skills you need for the traditional crafts.
Head out into the Derbyshire Dales
The village of Elton is around a 20-minute drive from Wirksworth and provides an ideal start point for delightful walks in the rolling Derbyshire Dales. It truly is a traditional Peak District village, filled with stone built houses and home to the CAMRA award winning Duke of York pub.
Our 6-mile Derbyshire Dales and Anthony Hill Walk heads out from Elton through Gratton Dale, then onto Long Dale, before looping back round to Anthony Hill, where you can go explore or choose the path alongside the hill.
The walk begins at a low-level, through the dales, before taking you uphill for some lovely views!
Derbyshire Dales Walk from EltonFollow in Robin Hood’s Stride from Winster!
Just a 15-minute drive from Wirksworth, up in the limestone hills, you find the village of Winster. The village is home to over 70 listed buildings, which should give you an idea of the attractive scenes which will greet you. It’s well worth a wander around its streets when you visit to do our 9-mile Robin Hood’s Stride and Stanton Moor walk, which begins from the village.
The walking route takes you out of the village on the Limestone Way, and takes in many points of interest, including stone circles, caves, a trig point and more lovely villages and waterways!
Winster is also home to two pubs and an e-bike hire company. The Miners Standard also runs a morning cafe, so you can get refreshments all day! The Old Bowling Green dates back to 1472 and is a privately owned traditional free house. Peak E Pedals can help you explore the area on two wheels instead of on your feet!
Robin Hood's Stride and Stanton Moor WalkCatch a Movie and Grab Some Food
What better way to relax after a day out walking than taking in a film at an independent cinema? The Northern Light Cinema is a small movie theatre at the heart of Wirksworth showing everything from latest releases to classics and live national theatre shows.
When it comes to eating and drinking in Wirksworth you really are spoilt for choice! The town is packed with cosy cafes, traditional pubs, chip shops and other restaurant and takeaway options for you to choose from. Your only problem will be deciding which ones to visit!
Walk to a Bronze Age Stone Circle and Explore Mysterious Caves
Birchover is an attractive village, located about 20-minutes from Wirksworth. Our 4.5-mile Rowtor Rocks and Stanton Moor Walk heads out from Birchover and passes some fascinating points of historical interest, which are steeped in a little mystery.
Behind the Druid Inn in Birchover you discover Rowtor Rocks, a collection of natural and man-made caves, carvings and tunnels. Symbols and images a gouged into many rocks and connected by steps which also take you to thrones and altars. There are many theories on the origins of these features but you really need to see them to believe!
On your walk you will also pass (and possibly climb) the Cork Stone. This 5m high standing sandstone plinth is shaped like a cork and bears graffiti from the past few centuries. It also features hollowed out steps and metal rings, which were added in the 19th century to allow people to climb to the top.
The Nine Ladies Stone Circle completes your stone-clad mystery tour. The nine stones in this bronze age circle are said to depict nine ladies who were turned to stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday.
All that in a walk of less than 5 miles!
Rowtor Rocks and Stanton Moor WalkBlow off Steam on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway runs both steam and diesel powered trains between Wirksworth and Duffield. It is a heritage railway, run by volunteers, with a gift shop, cafe and bar, which are housed in static railway carriages.
Trains run along the line throughout the year but it’s well worth checking out their special events page for details of dining experiences, themed days and train driver experiences!
Ecclesbourne Valley RailwayReach for the Stars!
The StarDisc is a fantastic feature found just up the hill from Wirksworth village. The illuminated 21st century stone circle is a star chart carved from black granite which mirrors the northern hemisphere’s night sky. Spanning 12 metres the circle is inscribed with images and names of constellations and is lined with a perimeter of silver granite with 12 stone seats denoting the months of the year.
Our 4-mile Black Rocks and StarDisc Walk from Wirksworth visits the stone circle near its finish. If you want to maximise your stone circle experience you could time your walk to arrive there at dusk, when the low emission, solar-powered lights illuminate the StarDisc.
The walk has the added benefit of visiting Black Rocks. From this impressive gritstone outcrop you can take in stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Black Rocks and StarDisc WalkGet Magical on Wizarding Day!
We just HAD to include this rather special event which takes place in Wirksworth each year! Wizarding Day first took place in 2018, the brainchild of two Harry Potter fans. The first Wizarding Day bought an amazing 7000 people to the town and it is now the largest Harry Potter fan event in the UK.
Adults and children come together to enjoy themed activities such as wand making, costume contests, quidditch, storytelling, markets, dragon egg trails and so much more! You can even ride on the Wizarding Express train from Wirksworth Station!
If you want to add some extra magic to your Wirksworth experience then Wizarding Day, which takes place in October, is a must!
Wizarding Day WebsiteWirksworth: A 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive in Wirksworth. Take a stroll around the winding streets and alleys of the and visit the church.
- Catch a film at The Northern Light Cinema.
- Browse vinyl records and sup local ale at the Feather Star.
Day 2
- Get up early and drive to Birchover to visit mystical stone features on our Rowtor Rocks Walk.
- Head back to Wirksworth and refuel on sweet treats or brunch at the Sour Cow cafe.
- After a rest head out on our 4-mile Black Rock and StarDisc Walk, with a stop to explore the National Stone Centre on the route.
- Enjoy dusk at the StarDisc before heading back down into the village.
- Enjoy a hearty dinner at the Hope and Anchor.
Day 3
- Start the day with coffee and a pastry in Otto before strolling round the town’s shops and galleries.
- Drive to Rowsley for a 4-mile walk up to the surrounding hamlets.
- Grab lunch in the Grouse and Claret before setting off for home!
Do you have any more questions about Wirksworth? Ask me in the comments below.
Ordnance Survey Walk Maps
For these walks, there are two maps that cover them OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area) and OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area)
Shop online at Ordnance Survey
And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.
For online maps, I recommend the OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with the OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.
Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App.
More walks in the Peak District
Want some more walking ideas in the Derbyshire Dales? You might like these Peak District walks.
- Lathkill Dale and Waterfall from Monyash – 4-mile route
- Chee Dale and stepping stones from Miller Dale – 5-mile route
- Monk’s Dale from Miller Dale – 4.5 mile route
- Dovedale, Bunster Hill and Thorpe Cloud – 7-mile route
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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