Sydney who works at New Mills Youth & Community (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
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 an entrance to the Peak District, is often viewed as the perfect 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.
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, is situated here. Visitors descending into the gorge also gravitate towards Torr Vale Mill, a Grade II-listed former cotton mill accessible via the Millennium Walkway, a 175-yard aerial bridge.
The Cunningham family has restored the mill, characterised by 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.
The towns mills and Kinder plateau can be seen in all their glory from the high street (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Helen, a local resident of New Mills, reflected on life in her quintessential town nestled between the mills and Kinder plateau. “We don’t really stop and appreciate what we have right on our doorstep,” she admitted.
Describing how her perspective on her hometown has evolved over time, Mavis shared: “I’ve lived here all my life but as a teenager I just wanted out.”
She added, “But since I’ve grown older I’ve appreciated it more, and when I go on holiday I always tell people about New Mills because it’s a very nice place and there’s always something going on.”
Sharing the bustling calendar of events, an anonymous local gushed, “Last week there was the town’s carnival, then we’ve also got the New Mills One World Festival coming up, we have a light switch on event where they shut the road and we have a fair, plus there’s an open garden trail and art trails – there’s plenty to do.”
As well as the Millennium Walkway and Torr Mill, theres the Sett Valley Trail – a former railway line converted into a trail for (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Promoting the diverse attractions in this charming English town, from the Millennium Walkway and Torr Mill to the Sett Valley Trail (a trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, connecting the town to Hayfield), it’s clear New Mills throbs with life. The locale features an invigorating music and arts scene, enriched by Spring Bank Arts community space, New Mills Art Theatre and the Rock Mill Centre, a community and visitor centre which reverberates with the spirit of the town.
Sue Nathan is one of those devotedly fostering the sense of community within the town. Relocating to New Mills some 18 months ago, to be near her daughter and grandson, Sue Nathan confesses, “I’ve spent a lot of time over here, especially during Covid, and I just love it,” she acknowledges with a heartwarming smile.
“It’s a really nice town with a lovely community. There’s independent shops and you can walk to the countryside from anywhere in New Mills.”
“I’m involved in the Rock Mill Centre, I do supper clubs there once a month to raise money for the centre. It’s a two-course meal and we have about 60 people every time, and in the winter we do free soup and bread on some Fridays.”
The centre also hosts a monthly book club, guided walking tours, a nature cafe and a heritage trail amongst other events. Meanwhile, next weekend, Sue will also be helping with the open garden trail in the town, a chance to see the beautiful gardens of New Mills as well as all the flowers and wildlife that have taken over the gardens.
“When you say you live in New Mills to people outside, very few people have heard of it, which I think is quite nice. However, that is changing as it was voted the fourth most desirable place to live in the UK in national ranking, and we definitely notice that on the trains, there’s far more people wandering around, seeing the Torrs and going on the walks around here.”
Sue just hopes that the uptick in people moving to New Mills, or visiting, is sustainable for the small town. “My daughter’s partner did a photographic exhibition recently of key characters in new Mills, who have been here a long time, and they said there’s advantages and disadvantages to more people coming here,” she says.
Residents of New Mills enjoyed its vibrant community, as one remarked: “They bring money, they visit the pubs, spend more, but on the other hand it’s changing the community – I’m still thinking it’s still quite working class, Swizzels is the main employer, but also there’s a lot of artistic people from Manchester, which means there’s more going on – you could go to something every weekend, there’s two arts centres, a theatre, and so much to do.”
Two railway lines take commuters and visitors to Manchester in just over 30 minutes, while trains also run directly from the New (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
However, worries about gentrification linger, with a resident commenting: “It’s changing and hopefully for the better, but I hope it won’t mean that people from here can’t afford to rent or buy here, that would be awful. But just look at how prices have gone up in other places.”
Part of New Mills’ draw lies in its convenient transport links, boasting two railway lines that shuttle commuters and visitors to Manchester in just over half an hour, and direct trains from New Mills Newtown station to neighbouring Disley and Buxton.
Adding to its allure, the town’s second station, New Mills Central station located on the scenic Hope Valley line, extends easy access to day trips to Edale, Hope, Hathersage, Grindleford and Bamford for eager explorers.
For Sydney, who is employed at New Mills Youth and Community C. I.C , encompassing a community pantry and emporium dealing in new and pre-loved clothing, gifts and toys, the move has been perfect for her young family.
Weekend feature on town of New Mills, near the Peak District. (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
She added: “You have to live here to know though.”
“It’s very close to nature here, with lots of walks, a nice, small community and really good transport links so I can hop on a train back to the city.”
“If you have young kids there’s loads of walks and parks, maybe not as much for teenagers, but for myself and as a young mum, it’s great. Lots of free stuff too and they do the carnival and duck race, plus Buxton is nearby too.”
Weekend feature on town of New Mills, near the Peak District. (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“It’s mint really, the community is great and becoming more diverse too. It’s also modernising too but with the traditional charm still intact.”
“When we first did a viewing here I wasn’t quite sure, but we went for it and don’t regret it at all, I think I’ll be here forever, I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. The only thing I would like for younger people is maybe a club or a bar maybe.”
While New Mills may lack a bustling nightlife scene with only a few bars, it boasts a number of charming cafes. The latest hotspot, On The Bridge, was recently opened by Lauren and Kris Holyhead, a couple who decided to leave Manchester after 25 years for a taste of rural bliss.
The Shrub Club – Torr Vale Mill – The Millenium Walkway – High Peak (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“Kris has always been a chef and worked in different restaurants around Manchester and I used to run a juice bar in Chorlton, worked in health shops around Manchester, and was also a nutrition advisor for about six years. But because of our backgrounds we’ve always wanted our own thing, and we always said we would move to the countryside to open a cafe, and last year the stars aligned for us.”
“It’s beautiful here, it’s got all the walks, the people are very down to earth, and is just welcoming and lovely. It’s diverse and arty, plus there’s loads going on because it’s a very creative place.”
The latest hotspot, On The Bridge, was recently opened by Lauren and Kris Holyhead (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“I think the two train services and how quick it is makes it very attractive to young professionals because they can still have that more rural life they wanted while still being connected to the city – that’s what attracted us.”
“Our menu is very varied, there’s brunch like avocado on toast but also the deli counter full of salads and homemade focaccias and healthy things. There’s lots of country pubs in the High Peak but not so many cafes that have a food offer like this – and we wanted to bring something a little different.”
“There’s always space for more independents here, and that’s always important for a small town.,” Lauren adds. “It’s definitely cheaper but that’s changing very quickly, we’ve only been here a year and in that time, we’ve seen things change.”
Helen and Mavis live in New Mills and say they don’t always appreciate what they have on their doorstep (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
There’s been an influx of people relocating here. The lockdown seems to have played a part as folks came out here for walks or to explore new spots in the Peaks.
Many individuals I’ve spoken with moved during or just after the lockdown. This has led to a surge in house prices.
“I absolutely adore it here and was more than prepared for the move since we had always resided in the suburbs. New Mills has a lot of unique aspects, I believe it’s a magical place.”