Above: Magpie Mine was Derbyshire’s last working lead mine. It was also the scene of a triple murder in 1833.

Places of interest

There are many historical sites within walking distance of the Monsal Trail; from Bronze Age burial cairns to Victorian cotton mills where pauper orphans were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions.

I’ve also included a section on the history of the Monsal Trail itself. Lasting for just over a century from its opening in 1863, the railway line was an incredible feat of engineering, involving the blasting of long tunnels and construction of tall viaducts.

Click below to view posts within each category.

Historical sites | The railway