Lead Mining at the Confluence of Two White Peak Rivers

Close to Bakewell at the confluence of the rivers Lathkill and Bradford, Alport is a quiet place. For a period of nigh on 300 years, this area was an important lead mining centre. Its highlights are old, interesting buildings and a rushing river.There is easy access to the White Peak and there is plenty of walking close by that would suit all tastes. Water sports enthusiasts and anglers can be at Carsington reservoir in a matter of 20 minutes. It is a perfect accommodation centre for the Derbyshire Peak District with easy access to the rest of the region, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Alport Mining Company

The Alport Mining Company used no less than 6 water pressure engines to prevent flooding in its mines. These were invented by the 18th century engineer Richard Trevithick, the great Cornish rival to Boulton and Watt.



 

Today this clean and peaceful village is very different to how it was in the 19th century. The lead mining and smelting industry made Alport an unhealthy place to live. The locals were weakened by the toxic fumes from the smelting activities. They suffered from many illnesses and early death. The Alport ore field was one of the most intensely worked local sources of minerals. At the time of closure at the very end of the 19th century was still among the largest and most significant in the Peak District.

The Cupola lead smelting works that was operating at that time produced large volumes of unfiltered toxic gases and other pollution. Cupolas superseded the original bole hill type of smelters in the 16th and 17th centuries. They had well developed flue systems leading to their chimneys. In the flues, lead condensed from the waste gases and could be collected by hand, maximising the output from the smelter. The Alport Cupola is reputed to have been one of the best developed flue systems in the Peak District.

Book about Alport

The Spirit of Youlgrave and Alport (Landmark Collectors Library)

Visiting Alport

The casual visitor to Alport will see little other than a few buildings either side of the road to and from Youlgrave. Plus the bridge and telephone box of course! But there is more to this Haddon Estate village than might initially meet the eye. For walkers approaching on the path on the right bank of the river Lathkill, there is a tantalising glimpse of what lies at the heart of the village - but no more. An unremarkable street winds its way towards the river Bradford but does not reveal the secrets of the village.

Image: Alport, Peak District Village.

Those astute enough to follow this road will discover one of several "hidden gems in the crown of a regal landscape" according to the travel writer James Croston. He was writing about a century after the Alport Mining Company installed their Trevithick engines. Indeed it is a gem. The centre of Alport is a secluded and picturesque place, with a narrow bridge crossing the river Bradford next to the village green. The road opposite rises steeply up to reveal a typical White Peak landscape and takes the visitor on to Robin Hoods Stride.

More than one Alport ...

This is one of several places named Alport in the Peak District. The others being Alport Heights near Wirksworth, Alport Moor and Alport Castles in the High Peak area of the Dark Peak. They are connected. Or at least they were. They were all on the Portway, an ancient trading track which may predate the Roman occupation. The track was in use as a trading route through the Peak District right up until the early 19th century and takes its name from Anglo-Saxon times. Port was the word for a market town and weg was the word for a track hence it became known as the Portway.

Water Power

Water was needed to power early medieval industries in the Peak District, and records show that there was a corn mill at Alport as early as 1159. In more recent times, the flow of the river Bradford has been harnessed once more at the site of the old corn mill with a micro hydroelectric scheme, part of the Sustainable Youlgrave project aiming to make the Parish of Youlgrave carbon neutral. The corn mill was used as one of the locations used when recording the film version of D H Lawrence's 'The Virgin and The Gypsy'.

Much of Alport was constructed early in the 18th century. The pub closed in 1924 and was demolished to make room for road widening just before the second world war. Monks Hall is the oldest building in the village and dates back to Tudor times.

Image: River Lathkill at Alport.

River Lathkill at Alport

Alport Tourist Information

Getting there

Local bus company Hulleys operates a bus service from Bakewell which passes through Alport - timetable. Be warned when meeting Hulleys buses in narrow places - their drivers take no prisoners!!

Suggestions for coming by car: from the south east - M1, Derby and the A6 turning left at the B5056 between Rowsley and Bakewell. From the North East - M1, A38, A6 (direction Bakewell) turning left at the B5056 between Rowsley and Bakewell. From the North West - M6, M62, M60 to Stockport, A6 to through Bakewell and turn right at the B5056 between Bakewell and Rowsley. From the south west - M5, M6 then cut across to Bakewell from Leek. Take the A6 south from Bakewell and turn right at the B5056 between Bakewell and Rowsley. Please note that these are just suggestions and are not the shortest or the fastest, we just think they are the least fiddly. If you have a satnav system, it is probably best to follow that. I think the postcode is DE45 1LG for the centre of Alport but I am not sure.

Alport Tourist Information Centre

... doesn't exist! The closest is at Bakewell:

Old Market Hall
Bridge Street
Bakewell
DE4 1DS
Open: March to October - 9.30am until 5.30pm daily
November to February - 10.00am until 5.00pm daily
Tel : 01629 816558
Fax: 01629 814782

Please call the tourist information centre directly for their current opening times.

 

Accommodation near Alport

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