Bakewell Old House Museum 2025
Derbyshire
The world’s oldest beam engine of its type in action. Discover how it got wagons up and down steep hills on one of the world’s first long distance railways. Restored 1829 winding engine built by the Butterley Company for the Cromford & High Peak Railway. The engine was in use until 1963 hauling wagons on cables up the 708 yards of the 1 in 8¾ Middleton Incline.
Operator: Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service
Address: Middleton Top Visitor Centre Middleton by Wirksworth Derbyshire DE4 4LS
31 Mar-1 Apr; 5-6 May; 1-2 Jun; 7, 14, 21, 28 Jul; 4, 11, 18, 25-26 Aug; 15 Sep; 6, 27 Oct. 1200-1630. Also Halloween Special 31 Oct 1700-1900. Visit website for more details.
Middleton Top, as you might expect, is at the top of a hill and offers delightful views of the surrounding countryside. This site has a visitor centre, gift shop and cycle hire centre, car park, toilets and picnic area. Whether on foot, horse or bike it is an ideal place to start your visit along the beautiful High Peak Trail.