Wye Valley, Derbyshire

Wye Valley, Derbyshire
Monsal Head Viaduct and River Wye
Length15 miles (24 km) West-East
Width100 to 500 metres (330 to 1,640 ft)
Depth100 metres (330 ft)
Geography
LocationDerbyshire, England
Coordinates53°14′56″N 1°51′35″W / 53.2488°N 1.8598°W / 53.2488; -1.8598
RiversRiver Wye
Wye Valley, Derbyshire
Axe Edge
Buxton
Mill Dale
Ashwood Dale
Cow Dale │ Cunning Dale
Wye Dale
Deep Dale │ Woo Dale
Great Rocks Dale
Chee Dale
Flag Dale
Blackwell Dale │ Monk's Dale
Miller's Dale
Tideswell Dale
Cressbrook Dale
Upperdale
Hay Dale
Monsal Dale
Taddington Dale
Deep Dale
Kirk Dale
at Ashford-in-the-Water
Bakewell
Lathkill Dale
River Derwent at Rowsley

The Wye Valley is the limestone valley of the River Wye in the White Peak of Derbyshire, England. The source of the River Wye is west of Buxton on Axe Edge Moor. One main channel runs underground through Poole's Cavern. The river flows though Buxton Pavilion Gardens and then along a culvert under the town centre. After leaving the flat area of central Buxton, the Wye Valley becomes distinct as a gorge running east for 10 miles (16 km) before the valley broadens at Ashford-in-the Water.[1]

The A6 road from Buxton to Bakewell follows the Wye Valley for most of its path. The Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway used to run through the valley. It was built to link Manchester through the Peak District to London and operated from the 1860s to 1968.[2]

  1. ^ OL24 White Peak area (Map). 1:25000. Explorer. Ordnance Survey.
  2. ^ "A History of the Midland Railway Route through The Peak". Heritage Railway and Steam Train Rides Midlands, UK, Derbyshire Peak District. Retrieved 24 April 2020.