Belper

By train

Belper is on the mainline between Derby and Chesterfield/Sheffield, although it is 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; for Nottingham, change at Derby.

By car or cycle

Belper is on the A6 and close to the A38. Major roads lead to Chesterfield, Nottingham, Derby, Matlock and Ashbourne.

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.

• Belper North Mill

  address: Bridgefoot
  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 TrailInstallations 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 GardensPleasant, especially on Sunday afternoons in summer when free concerts are on.

• The Ritz

  phone: +44 1773 822224
  address: 76B King Street
  An independent one-screen cinema opened in late 2006.

• Belper Meadows Community Sports Centre

  address: Christchurch Meadows DE56 IBA

There are Iceland, Morrisons and Co-op grocery shops within walking distance of town, and several sandwich and cake shops for a quick snack.

• Fresh Basil

  phone: +44 1773 828882
  address: 23 Strutt Street
  A fantastic deli for breakfast and lunch.

• Bengal Blues

  phone: +44 1773 880444
  address: 4 Market Head
  Good Indian food.

• Maharaja

  phone: +44 1773 827817
  address: 17-18 Market Place
  Good Indian food.

• Elachi

  address: 84 Bridge St
  Good Indian food.

• River Gardens

  phone: +44 1773 822468
  address: 134 Bridge Street
  Good for Chinese.

• New Ming Court

  phone: +44 1773 821968
  address: 22 Campbell Street
  Good for Chinese.

• George's

  phone: +44 1773 828662
  address: 18 Bridge Street
  Excellent fish and chips.

Belper is home to over 30 pubs.

• Holly Bush Inn

  phone: +44 1332 841729
  address: Holly Bush Lane, Milford

• The Lion Hotel

  phone: +44 1773 824033
  address: 24 Bridge Street
  22 rooms

• Makeney Hall Hotel

  phone: +44 1332 842999
  address: Makeney Road, Milford
  40 room

Holiday cottages

Several dotted around the town.

• Cromford
• Ripley
• Derby