Wirksworth can be explored through a range of themes: a community-run art festival, historic features in and around St Mary's Church, geology and trails through the landscape. When planning your visit, you can focus on art and local stories as much as outdoor activities. Markets also have their own regular dates.
Art festival and church art
The Wirksworth Festival is an annual celebration of art and creativity, organised by the local community for the local community. Its Art & Architecture Trail includes more than 70 venues. There, over 140 artists and craftspeople display and sell their work. If you would like to make art and creative work the focus of your visit, the trail offers many different stops.
Different periods of history come together at St Mary's Church. Most of the present building dates from the 13th century. The Wirksworth Stone depicts scenes from the life of Jesus and may date from before the year 700. The church also contains an Anglo-Saxon carving of T'Owd Man, a medieval lead miner. In the churchyard stands a well-preserved example of a simple standing cross. Thus, a church building dating mostly from the 13th century and a possibly much older stone share a historical setting.
The Clypping ceremony also brings the town community together: participants encircle the church while holding hands. It is held on the Sunday closest to the Feast of the Nativity of Mary on 8 September. The Wirksworth Festival takes place on the same weekend.
Museum, guided walks and geology
The Wirksworth Heritage Centre museum features four galleries, interactive screens, games and the “Dream Cave”. The centre also offers guided walks around Wirksworth led by expert guides. These focus on local stories, notable sights and distinctive architecture. More accessible walks that avoid steep climbs are available on request; please ask at least 48 hours in advance.
Geology is the focus at the National Stone Centre. Its 40-acre natural site is open to explore, and its geological formations are 330 million years old. These formations have led to the National Stone Centre being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The centre's regular courses further explore an interest in stone as a material.
StarDisc offers another combination of design and science: the star map is 12 metres in diameter and engraved in black granite. It shows constellations in the northern hemisphere that are visible from Britain. At StarDisc, you can take a walk and enjoy views over the rooftops of Wirksworth and the Ecclesbourne Valley.
Trails, rail and activities
The Ecclesbourne Way is an 11-mile walking route that follows the course of the River Ecclesbourne. The High Peak Trail runs for more than 17.5 miles through the White Peak landscape. Visitors can reach Middleton Top and the trail from Wirksworth. There are opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding there. In terms of length, the Ecclesbourne Way is shorter; the two routes also differ in their respective landscapes and in the activities offered by the High Peak Trail.
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway offers limited train services to Ravenstor Station, which provides direct access to the High Peak Trail. If you would like to include the railway in your plans, check the timetable in advance. As another activity, The Face's bouldering wall has between 30 and 35 routes, graded from F5 to F7b.
Markets and local produce
Wirksworth's Tuesday market offers locally baked goods and fresh produce. The Farmers' Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month and offers local produce, music and entertainment. The different market days can help with planning if visiting a market is one of your interests.
Discover more destinations: Chelmorton, Morley, Clay Cross, Yeaveley, Matlock, Shardlow, High Peak, Newton Solney
For the wider travel overview: Derbyshire.
