Access in the Peak District National Park

There are NO official access agreements within the Peak District National Park, and the British Canoe Union advise you not to try and canoe these waters and jeopardise the ongoing negotiations.

Upper River Derwent (Derbyshire)

There are NO official access agreements on the Upper River Derwent, Derbyshire (between the Derwent Dams and Matlock Town).

The upper stretches of the river are very shallow and rocky and not a river you can tour, and would only be practical to run in spate, but this causes it's own hazards.

The stretch between the Dams and Bamford is choked with obstruction, many of the bridges are laced with barbed wire and grilles.

Private access agreements by local users exist, but are difficult to come by and are kept very private. Most of the banks and land belongs to private landowners based outside the area.

The Fishing Clubs together with Derbyshire Angling Association have a tight strong hold on what goes on, and are very adamant that canoeing does not take place on any part of the river.

To run this river will actually jeopardise the current negotiations for future agreements and undermine existing agreements on others parts of the River Derwent.