Ironville, Codnor Castle and the Cromford Canal, 10th October 2021

Ironville, possibly Derbyshire’s best example of a mid-nineteenth century model village, was created between 1834 and 1860 by the Butterley Company to house its workers at the nearby Codnor Park Ironworks which operated until the 1970s. The village, which stands at the junction of the Pinxton and Cromford Canals, is known for its houses built from iron slag, those on Forge Row near the start of the walk being a fine example.

Starting at Codnorpark Reservoir, John's well-attended 8.5 mile walk took us through Ironville up to the remains of the 13th century Codnor Castle before dropping down to the Erewash Meadows Nature Reserve and then up to the outskirts of Brinsley.  A long descent took us to the Cromford Canal before an interesting excursion to Jacksdale before returning to follow the canal back to the Codnorpark Reservoir.

The start - Codnorpark Reservoir

Example of house in Ironville built from iron slag

Wall of cottage in Forge Row made of clinker and brick

Notice board near site of the Codnor Park Ironworks

Codnor Castle.  These two photos were taken in February 2020 before the castle was fenced off by the Codnor Castle HeritageTrust to protect it

Coffee stop at Codnor Castle

(Some) men at work on the Nottingham to Sheffield Midland Main Line

River Erewash - the border between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

Cromford Canal

Jacksdale Wharf and Basin.  Examining the embankment made out of slag blocks manufactured in the ironworks

The Portland Tramway connected the Portland Collieries in Kirkby in Ashfield to the Cromford Canal

 wharf in Jacksdale and the Butterley Ironworks over the River Erewash in Codnor Park

Bridge at the junction of the Cromford Canal and its Pinxton branch