The village of Cromford in Derbyshire may be a pilgrimage site for Oasis fans, but it’s also a destination to visit in its own right – even for those who don’t even know the lyrics to Wonderwall
Oasis fans will feel a stirring of nostalgia recognising the lyric, “‘Cos I’ve been standing at the station, in need of education in the rain.”
These iconic words hail from the hit single ‘Some Might Say,’ and the cover image, portraying Noel Gallagher with a watering can on a train platform and Liam gazing down from above, reflects this sentiment. Unbeknownst to many devotees, the backdrop for this snapshot is Cromford in Derbyshire, right at the gateway to the Peak District.
While it may be a mecca for followers of the band, Cromford offers its own allure beyond musical fame – even those unfamiliar with ‘Wonderwall’ will find plenty to adore here. The village exudes quaintness, boasts one of the globe’s most beautiful bookshops, and is just a short hop from Britain’s unique inland ‘seaside town’.
Embarking from Manchester to the charming village took little over two hours by rail, passing through Sheffield en route to Derby, and it was undeniably quicker than driving. However, you’d miss out on the quintessentially British thrill of journeying by train to a historical station.
Continuing from Derby by train to Cromford, the route unfurls magnificent vistas along the River Derwent, showcasing the splendour of the Peak District, reports the Manchester Evening News. Cromford boasts a rich heritage that eclipses even the wildly successful Britpop era of the late 90s and early 00s. The picturesque village is home to the ground-breaking Cromford Mill and the historic Boat Inn pub, established in 1772.
After enjoying a brief respite at this welcoming pub, complete with an idyllic beer garden beside a scenic village pond, I wandered across to Scarthin Books. Repeatedly acclaimed as one of the world’s most enchanting bookshops, Scarthin Books might seem like just another quaint shopfront. But venture past the crowded shelves at the front and up the concealed staircase, and you’ll be rewarded with three additional storeys brimming with literary finds waiting to be unearthed.
Situated in a charming Georgian house, this beloved independent shop stocks an extensive array of new and used books. The bookstore, which has recently marked its 50th year, offers more than just reading material; it houses a vegetarian café upstairs – an ideal spot to indulge in a light lunch whilst browsing through the thousands of titles they have up for grabs.
After exploring the charming town of Cromford, you can venture further up the valley to Matlock Bath. Although it’s just a half-hour stroll, you can to hop on a bus during my your visit. If you choose to walk, you’ll spot the historic Cromford Mill by the main road. This was the world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill, established by Richard Arkwright in 1771 – a fact well-known to any Mancunian primary school kid.
Despite its significance in Manchester’s transformation into ‘Cottonopolis’, I chose to bypass this educational detour and continue to the UK’s only inland ‘seaside town’. Matlock is bustling with fish and chip shops and families enjoying their day out. “It’s the closest thing Derby folk have to the seaside,” my friend, a Derbyshire local, informed me. While there’s no literal sea in Matlock Bath, the village is nestled in a steep-sided gorge with a river running alongside it, which I explored on a hired pedalo.
To complete my seaside experience, I stopped at an ice cream parlour, grabbed some fish and chips, and sat by the ‘sea’, doing my best to protect my chips from a bold pigeon. Despite my ignorance of the Oasis link when I visited Cromford, there are plenty of reasons for fans to make the journey. Even if recreating the iconic photo isn’t enough of a draw, the area has much more to offer.
