Green fields highlighted by sunrays through heavy clouds from Curbar Edge

Visitor Centres - Upper Derwent

Find us

Please note face-to-face visitor information is no longer available at Fairholmes (Upper Derwent)

Fairholmes
Bamford
Hope Valley
S33 0AQ

View map

The nearest alternative National Park Visitor Hubs are:

Castleton - 20 minutes by car, 9 miles
Bakewell - 35 minutes by car, 18 miles

Opening times: additional facilities

Refreshment kiosk (independently operated)

Everyday - 8am until at least 6pm (later if there is demand)

Frequently asked questions about visiting Upper Derwent

We are working on a series of commonly asked questions and advice which will be published as soon as possible.

How do I pay for parking at Fairholmes, main car park (Derwent Dam)?

A: Payment can be made by coin or card at any of the three machines in the main car park. The lower level has two and the upper level has one (coin only).

How do we pay for parking at Derwent Overlook?

A: Payment can be made by card at the machine or at the Bike Hire reception behind the toilets and refreshment kiosk. Payment can also be made via the Ringo app up to 24 hours following your parking session, take a note or photo of the number as you leave and pay when you have suitable service reception.

Note: The tickets for Derwent Overlook are not interchangeable with the rest of the car parks in the valley. Regular users of Peak District National Park Authority car parks can also purchase an annual permit, equivalent to around £1.50 per week.

How do we get to Derwent Dam?

A: Derwent Dam is located just north of the main car park at Fairholmes. Follow signs for “Ladybower and the Lost Villages Trail”. Wheelchair access is available up to around 100 metres from the base of the dam and still allows good views.

How do we get to the Dambuster memorials?

A: The Dambuster memorials are located at the West tower of Derwent dam, about a 10 minute walk from the main car park. The easiest route is to go to the roundabout and follow the road north. This is accessible for confident wheelchair users with a section of incline, or a small area of parking is available adjacent to the memorials.

How do we get to the plugholes?

A: The plugholes are located next to Ladybower Dam. The best access is from Heatherdene Car Park and walk to Ladybower dam in about 10 minutes, follow the path from the southern end of the car park.

Q: How do we get to Alport Castles/Derwent Edge/other nearby locations?

A: Any of the popular locations above the main valley involve potentially rugged unmarked trails. We’re unable to provide simple instructions to reach these locations and would instead recommend the use a of Ordnance Survey app/map and/or walking guide. Warning: some of the popular areas above the Upper Derwent Valley are remote and exposed, the weather can change quickly and rescue would take several hours. Please plan and pack accordingly.

When are the toilets/café/Bike Hire open until?

A: The toilets are open until around 5pm in winter and 7pm in summer, depending on staffing. The café is usually open from 8am until 6-7pm, potentially later if it is busy. 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.

Where can I walk/cycle?

A: There are a number of walks/cycle routes starting from the main car park at Fairholmes. The most popular trails are the 5.5 mile “Ladybower and the Lost Villages Trail” (follow the yellow dotted signs from near the café) and the 10.5 mile “Derwent, Howden and Slippery Stones Trail” (follow the orange dotted signs north from the roundabout). Both of these routes can be walked or cycled apart from the west half of the “Lost Villages” trail, which is a footpath so cyclists must use the road.

Where can I camp/caravan/motorhome?

A: Camping/caravanning/motorhoming for overnight use is not permitted within the Upper Derwent Valley. The surrounding land is all privately owned and none of the land owners permit wild camping. The nearest official campsites are in the Hope Valley close to the villages of Hope, Hathersage, Bamford or Castleton.

Where can I have a BBQ?

A: Open fires, including any form of BBQ are not permitted within most public areas in the Peak District, which includes the Upper Derwent Valley. The moorlands/forests around the Upper Derwent Valley are at particularly high risk from wild fires and rangers make regular patrols in the summer months. You will be asked to extinguish and safely dispose of any BBQ or open fire found in the valley and rangers carry equipment to support this.

Can I swim/paddleboard/kayak/jetski in the reservoirs?

A: There are no water sports permitted except for Ladybower Paddle Sports, who operate from the Fisheries Office on the east side of Ladybower Reservoir. See online for opening times, launch fees and which craft they allow to launch.

When can I drive up to the King’s Tree?

A: The road north of the roundabout at Fairholmes is closed to motor vehicles (except residents and blue badge holders) on weekends and bank holidays from Easter Saturday to October and on Sundays throughout the rest of the year. The road leading in front of Derwent Dam is closed at all times to non-residents.