Belper
Belper is a town in Amber Valley, Derbyshire.
Get in
By train
Belper is on the mainline between Derby and Chesterfield/Sheffield, although it is currently only served by one main line train per weekday. It is also served by the Derwent Valley line between Nottingham, Derby and Matlock. Trains run roughly every hour - see www.thetrainline.com for timetable details. The station is unmanned but you must buy tickets from the machine on the Derby bound platform to any destination. (If you join at a station like Derby with a booking office you must buy your ticket beforehand)
By bus
There are regular bus services to Derby, Nottingham, Manchester (a long but beautiful journey on TransPeak) and other local towns. For Ashbourne, change at Derby or take the less frequent direct service.
By car/cycle
Belper is on the A6 and close to the A38. Major roads lead to Chesterfield, Nottingham, Derby, Matlock and Ashbourne.
Get around
Shanksie's pony is fine for the main part of town, but pack an extra bottle of pop if you're pushing a buggy or wheelchair from the river to St John's Chapel (especially if you go up Long Row - it's steep and cobbled). Park in the Derwent Street or Coppice car parks (free), Bridge Street, Field Lane and the River Gardens(all pay and display). Some on-street parking is also available.
See
- 1 Belper North Mill, Bridgefoot, ☏ +44 1773 880474, info@belpernorthmill.org. This is one of the oldest surviving cotton mills in the world, a world heritage site and well worth a visit. A walking tour round Belper is sometimes available from here taking you through the Cluster housing, past a nailmaker's workshop, along the jittys (aka gennels, channels, alleys, snickets, passageways) up to St John's Chapel (13th century) and finishing in one of the 30 or so pubs within a short walk. The North Mill website has a printable guide to the walk.
- Beth's Poetry Trail. offers installations of poems throughout the town and is a memorial to Beth Fender, the founder of Belper's two poetry groups.
- A number of other walks also exist around the town.
- The River Gardens. are also pleasant, especially on Sunday afternoons in summer when free concerts are on.
Do
- 1 The Ritz, 76B King Street, ☏ +44 1773 822224. an independent one-screen cinema opened in late 2006.
Eat
There are an Iceland, a Morrisons and a Co-op within walking distance of town and several sandwich and cake shops for a quick snack.
- 1 Fresh Basil, 23 Strutt Street, ☏ +44 1773 828882. fantastic deli for breakfast and lunch.
- 2 Bengal Blues, 4 Market Head (near marketplace), ☏ +44 1773 880444. serve good Indian food
- 3 Maharaja, 17-18 Market Place, ☏ +44 1773 827817. serve good Indian food
- 4 Elachi, 84 Bridge St (A6 opposite library). serve good Indian food
- 5 River Gardens, 134 Bridge Street (bottom of Long Row), ☏ +44 1773 822468. good for Chinese
- 6 New Ming Court, 22 Campbell Street (up from Morrisons roundabout), ☏ +44 1773 821968. good for Chinese
- 7 George's, 18 Bridge Street (on the A6 next to the garage), ☏ +44 1773 828662. sells excellent fish and chips
Drink
Belper is home to over 30 pubs.
- 1 Holly Bush Inn, Holly Bush Lane, Milford, ☏ +44 1332 841729.
Sleep
- 1 The Lion Hotel, 24 Bridge Street, ☏ +44 1773 824033. 22 rooms from around £100 per night.
- 2 Makeney Hall Hotel, Makeney Road, Milford, ☏ +44 1332 842999. 40 room around £50 pppn.
Holiday Cottages
Several dotted around the town.
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