No - the Canal starts on the opposite side of the road to Cromford (Arkwright's) Mill. You'll need to walk along the path beside the road to get to the canal but look out for some gates on your left as you approach the crossroads and do the last bit alongside the river.

Last time I was there it was Park & Walk & there was no height restriction. I’ve just looked on google street view & there was no height barrier when the pic was taken. Access is much easier at the Cromford end than any other points (e.g. Ambergate)

Hi Jamie. Sorry for the delay in responding. We didn’t notice any signs in relation to canoeing/paddle boarding, however, there’s only a short stretch of canal still in use, maybe a mile, so not ideal. Hilton

British canals were designed to transport goods from one place to another so, to answer your question, no - Cromford Canal is not built in a loop. This information is easily obtainable from any map of the area.

no there is no wheel chair access onto the boat

You can park on cromford meadows which can be accessed from near cromford crossroads, and there's also parking at high peak junction. Both are pay and display. Either are good. Both are next to the canal.

Didn't see anyone fishing, then again not a fisher myself. Sorry!

Hi, we really regret that as a 1930s ex-working narrow boat, Birdswood is not wheelchair accessible. There is a high iron gunwale, with two steps up and then several steps down into the cabin. There are always crew members on hand to assist the public with boarding and disembarking, and people with quite severe lower limb mobility issues have enjoyed trips with us. However, we don't have a cradle or hoist, and customers need to be able to articulate their legs to cope with steps that are about 7 inches apart and fairly steep. If travellers use a chair but are semi-ambulant, we have found that they usually manage to get on and off OK, and there's space on board or on the boat's flat roof for a lightweight folding chair.

Hi Julie, Pay and Display parking is available at Cromford Wharf, DE4 3RP, or at High Peak Junction, DE4 5AA. Hope that helps. Aidan Rumble, Countryside Ranger