White Peak Cycle Hire …

Middleton Top cycle hire centre is located at the Middleton Top Countryside Centre close to the town of Middleton-by-Wirksworth. It is managed by the Derbyshire County Council which means that there is a good range of bikes for hire. It is possible to hire trailers, child seats, comfort bikes, hybrids and of course, electric bikes. Helmets are provided free of charge with the hire bikes. You will need photo ID and will be required to leave a deposit. I think there are also mobility scooters for hire too, but you should definitely call them to check first.

Please check opening times before you go.

Parking, toilets, refreshments and souvenirs are available at the visitor centre.

Full facilities list >>

Middleton Top Cycle Hire
Middleton by Wirksworth
Derbyshire
DE4 4LS

email: countrysideservice@derbyshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01629 533294



Accessing Middleton Top Cycle Hire Centre

The bike hire centre is accessed from the B5035 road.

From Ashbourne, go past Carsington Water and continue on towards Middleton-by-Wirksworth. There is a staggered road junction. Keep straight on (OK, round a few bends), after a few hundred metres the access track is on the left. If you go under the bridge carrying the High Peak Trail over the road, you have gone too far.

From Wirksworth town centre, head north towards Cromford. Take the B5023 on the left up towards Middleton-by-Wirksworth. Pass under the bridge and turn left, steeply uphill. Go under another bridge and the access to the cycle hire centre is on the right after a short distance.

From the A6, go into Cromford at the lights and travel up Cromford Hill.  Once you are out of Cromford, just as the gradient flattens out, turn right. If you go under a bridge, you have missed the turn by a short distance. At Middleton-by-Wirksworth, go straight on at the crossroads, up the steep hill. Go under a bridge that carries the High Peak Trail. The bike hire centre is on the right, not far after.

High Peak Trail

Middleton Top gives access directly onto the High Peak Trail. The High Peak Trail is a dismantled railway offering easy traffic free cycling. This Trail is about 17.5 miles long and links with the Tissington Trail just south of Parsley Hay. The railway replaced the canal that was originally planned and linked the Cromford Canal to the waterways on the western side of the Peak District via Buxton.

It is close to Carsington water where there is another largely traffic free trail, although some of it is on roads and it crosses the Ashbourne to Wirksworth road.

Middleton Top was the site of one of two winding stations on the Cromford and High Peak Railway. Steam powered machines pulled railway trucks up the steep incline from the Cromford Canal as the gradient was severe. Once on the plateau, the line was much more level but renowned for its tight curves that followed the contour lines. The winding house is occasionally open to the public.

The High Peak Trail takes you right through the heart of the White Peak, ending just south of Buxton. Middleton Top cycle hire centre is an ideal staring point to explore. It cuts out the two big climbs of the trail. On a good clear day, I have seen the Long Mynd over on the Welsh borders.

History on the High Peak Trail

You will pass plenty of history too, for example:

  • Lime kilns
  • Former railway tunnels
  • Remains of early mining efforts (bell pits)
  • Romano-British farm
  • Bronze age barrows

The field patterns are remains of the various enclosures over the centuries.

Map of the location of Middleton Top cycle hire centre – click here

Accommodation in the area of Middleton Top



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Disclaimer – The information about Middleton Top bike hire centre on this page is believed to be correct. It is given in good faith. It may have changed since our research. Use of the information on this page is at your risk, we cannot accept any liability for any problems or incidents arising. The maps are based on the postcodes of the centres. We recommend that you confirm the location and other details before travelling.

Bike Safety

Check tyre condition and inflation, make sure there are no cracks in the sidewall or tread. Make sure the wheels are tightened correctly in the fork and at the rear of the bike. Check the brakes are working properly and that the saddle and handlebars have not come loose in transit. Carry spare lights, quick-link for the chain, puncture repair kit and pump/inflation system. Wear at least one item of hi-vis clothing if the weather is gloomy. At night, reflective ankle thingys (bracelets??) are good as your feet will be the first thing that motor vehicle lights pick out. Carry an emergency reflective thermal blanket and it’s also useful for someone in your group to carry a first aid kit and know how to use it.