Our Visitor Sites

Upper Derwent Valley

The Derwent, Howden and Ladybower Reservoirs make up the Upper Derwent Valley

How to find us

Farholmes car park

For access to Derwent Dam, Derwent Dam trail, Dambuilders to Dambusters trail

Fairholmes
Bamford
Derbyshire
S33 0AQ

Heatherdene car park

For access to Ladybower, Win Hill, Ladybower Dam and the ‘Plugholes’ trail    

Heatherdene
Bamford
Derbyshire
S33 0BY

The site

The site is open all year (except on Christmas Day)

Car parks

Open in daylight hours.

  • Car parks will be closed in extreme weather.
  • No overnight parking. 

Other areas

Toilets 

Open until around 5pm in winter and 7pm in summer, depending on staffing.

Café 

The café is usually open from 8am until 6-7pm, potentially later if it is busy.

Bike Hire 

Bike Hire opening times vary with seasonal demand, but are usually from around 9:30 until 5 in the summer, please check for up to date opening hours at Derwent Bike Hire.

Car park charges

Fairholmes and Heatherdene

Cash and card payments accepted

2 hours £3.50
Over 2 hours £6

 

Other car parks

 

2 hours £2
Over 2 hours £4

Opening Times

Open all year during daylight hours.

  • No overnight parking.
  • Car parks will be closed in extreme weather.

Parking charges apply for blue badge holders.

Some of the trails around Upper Derwent Valley are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. 

At Upper Derwent Valley you're welcome to walk your furry friend.

Due to the nature and wildlife on site you will need to keep your dog on a lead at all times.

Activities

General information

A little bit about Upper Derwent Valley

  • Upper Derwent Valley was created in the early 20th Century to provide 10,000 million gallons of water for the growing urban population in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
  • Over 1,000 people were involved in building the reservoirs and were housed in the temporary ‘Tin Town’ at Birchinlee.
  • There are the flooded villages of Derwent and Ashopton – when water levels are low, you may get a glimpse of the village remains.
  • The Derwent, Howden, and Ashopton Resevoirs were in fact once the training site of the famous Dambusters Squadron.