On a balmy weekday afternoon, pals Helen and Mavis are found deep in conversation on a bench opposite the Clockwork Cafe, a favourite haunt for cyclists navigating High Peak. "It's a very close-knit community around here," Mavis shares, gesturing towards the bustling high street brimming with cafes, shops and pubs. "You can just plonk yourself here and someone will come and chat with you.
" New Mills, a charming town serving as a gateway to the Peak District, is often viewed as an ideal starting point for exploring the stunning Derbyshire countryside. However, the town itself has become a hotspot for day-trippers, many eager to discover the natural sandstone gorge known as The Torrs nestled beneath the town, where the River Sett meets the River Goyt. This is where you'll find the Torrs Riverside Park, a picturesque location boasting beautiful meadows leading up to the Peak Forest Canal, a climbing gritstone wall, and Archie, the community-owned hydroelectric turbine.
Visitors descending into the gorge also flock to Torr Vale Mill, a Grade II-listed former cotton mill, accessible via the Millennium Walkway, a 175-yard aerial bridge. The Cunningham family have lovingly restored the mill, with its barrel vaulted ceilings, cast iron columns and exposed stone walls. Today, its various buildings house a range of food and drink establishments including Torr Vale Tap and Hope Valley ice creams, reports the Manchester Evening News .
Helen, a resident of New Mills, reflects on the beaut.