From Park Runs to trails

As I was training for the #VLM London Marathon in early 2018, this meant that I had plenty of opportunity to explore the scenic running routes around the Peak District. You have to vary the routes with so much training and I had plenty of opportunity to explore the local area and am now starting to become a bit of a local route expert. Running along the Cromford Canal was always one of my top routes. Drive a bit further to run along the new running trail from Matlock to Rowsley, taking you past Whitworth park in Daley Dale; try running to beat the train and as the route is alongside the steam railway. On my longest training run, I extended the route running through Chatsworth park.

Fancy a 5K then why not become a park run tourist? – the locals are very welcoming and as the regular Saturday morning runs set out from Hassop café along the Bakewell section of the same trail. Or try the regular Whitworth park 5K thread.

Save the environment and be a green tourist as there is no need to even get the car out

There are some great running routes directly from Agricola House.

• There are some great trails around Black rocks – a stony outcrop accessible easily along footpaths from Wirksworth. Around Black rocks there are plenty of climbs to test your running skills or maybe as part of your own race training program?
• Find the High Peak trail, and then join the trail route to Middleton top linking up to the Tissington Trail. If you time it right, why not stay at Agricola to run the annual Tissington half marathon? Relax those tired muscles and recuperate in Agricola’s on-site sauna afterwards.
• Carsington water – a good 8-mile circular route around the water with plenty of small gradients and spectacular views. There are toilets around the route, a visitor centre to have a drink and detours to watch the birdlife in the hides scattered around the route-one of my favourites. Try it early in the morning when it’s quieter and to watch the sunrise over the water.

Fancy a running tour with a Peak District guide?

Join the regular Saturday social run based in Matlock with the local Peak District Our Running Revolution or contact them for your own bespoke guided route—they come highly recommended.
There is also a great running shop in Matlock- Run Forest to visit. Always gets 5 * reviews from their customers from far and wide and with good reason. Have a coffee, read the local race blackboard and chat to the very friendly and helpful staff.

Bring your running buddies as Agricola House would be a great base for a group of running friends to stay

1. Try a post-run sauna onsite at Agricola to relax any achy muscles
2. Great running routes either within a short drive or directly from the house
3. Real ale houses, wine bars, restaurants and an independent cinema to spend the evening in all within 5 minutes’ walk in Wirksworth—what’s not to like?
4. Plenty of half marathons, full marathons, 5k or 10 k throughout the year to enter in the Peak District with a great base to go back to debrief with those running buddies over a glass of wine or beer in our sociable living space.
5. One of the best running shops in the area is in Matlock- Run Forest and with a blackboard filed with local runs. Have coffee, cake and running chats in their friendly shop stocked with the very best running gear.
6. Try a guided running tour with Our Running Revolution
7. Some of the most scenic Park Runs in the country to run alongside friendly Derbyshire locals.
8. Share your running escapades with the Agricola Twitter or Facebook page with #RunAgricolaRun

Adventure for all the family

Cromford Canal is where the locals go to cycle, dog walk, run but acclimbatize an adventure company based on the outskirts of Wirksworth, can also take our guests, as a group staying at Agricola House, canoeing along Cromford canal. A leisurely briefing by an instructor is followed by some team games to remind everyone of their water skills before a very relaxing amble along the canal. Ducks, swans, moor hens, a kingfisher or a water vole if you’re lucky and dragon flies can all be spotted. Life is slowed down to the pace of the canoe and you can see so much more! Due to the rich diversity of wildlife, the canal has been designated as a site of scientific interest. Regular canal boat trips run down the same canal and perfect for a family afternoon tea.

What wildlife can you spot along the way?

If water activities are not suitable for all the family, then along the 5 miles of towpath you can visit the canal wharf buildings at Cromford, a well-preserved railway workshop, cross a canal swing bridge and see a still-operational pumphouse.

Cycling and walking along the towpath may suit other members of the family with plenty of paths connecting to other cycle and walking routes.

Why not visit Cromford Mills as well?

If this isn’t enough to do and you want to make a full day out then Park at Cromford Mills, the home of Sir Richard Arkwright’s first mill complex, birthplace of the modern factory system and internationally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8 Reasons to visit Cromford Canal when staying at Agricola House

1. Something for all the family whether you want to take a canal boat trip or canoe at a leisurely pace
2. It is where the locals come for a cycle or walk along the towpath and locals always know the best places to visit.
3. The Canal has abundant wildlife to spot and see along your way
4. Bring some bird food as the smaller members of the party will enjoy feeding the ducks.
5. Historical canal and railway buildings to explore
6. Park at Cromford Mills to see the fascinating exhibition about Sir Richard Arkwright
7. If this isn’t enough and for a bit of high-end retail therapy, the John Smedley factory shop is located at Lea- a short drive away. Who doesn’t love some British high-end knitwear?
8. Refresh those water skills- can you remember when you last went canoeing?