Our Visitor Sites

Upper Derwent Valley

The Derwent, Howden and Ladybower Reservoirs make up the Upper Derwent Valley

How to find us

Farholmes car park

For access to Derwent Dam, Derwent Dam trail, Dambuilders to Dambusters trail

Fairholmes
Bamford
Derbyshire
S33 0AQ

Heatherdene car park

For access to Ladybower, Win Hill, Ladybower Dam and the ‘Plugholes’ trail    

Heatherdene
Bamford
Derbyshire
S33 0BY

The site

The site is open all year (except on Christmas Day)

Car parks

Open in daylight hours.

  • Car parks will be closed in extreme weather.
  • No overnight parking. 

Other areas

Toilets 

Open until around 5pm in winter and 7pm in summer, depending on staffing.

Café 

The café is usually open from 8am until 6-7pm, potentially later if it is busy.

Bike Hire 

Bike Hire opening times vary with seasonal demand, but are usually from around 9:30 until 5 in the summer, please check for up to date opening hours at Derwent Bike Hire.

Paying for parking

You can pay for parking at one of the machines in the car park or through the RingGo app or website.

Fairholmes and Heatherdene

Cash and card payments accepted

2 hours £3.50
2 - 4 hours £6
Over 4 hours £7

 

Other car parks

 

2 hours £2
Over 2 hours £4

Paying through RingGo

RingGo is available at Upper Derwent Valley for day parking only, giving you a simple and flexible way to pay for your visit.

Pay through RingGo online

 

Download the RingGo app

Below are the zone codes for each car park through the RingGo service.

Car park Zone code
Bridge End Car Park  58253
Derwent Dam Car Park 58254
Hagg Side Car Park  58255
Heatherdene Car Park  58250
Fairholmes Car Park 58251

To pay with RingGo:

  1. Download the free RingGo app or visit the RingGo website
  2. Create an account or log in
  3. Enter the Zone Code displayed on site signage
  4. Enter your vehicle registration
  5. Select your parking session
  6. Complete payment securely

Mobile signal can be limited in the Upper Derwent Valley. Where available, RingGo LatePay allows you to pay for parking up to 24 hours after arrival via the app or website — please check signage in the car park.

If you're unable to pay and LatePay isn’t available, email visitorsites@severntrent.co.uk to let us know.

For account support, payment queries, or technical issues, please contact RingGo Customer Services via the RingGo Help Centre.

Some of the trails around Upper Derwent Valley are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. 

At Upper Derwent Valley you're welcome to walk your furry friend.

Due to the nature and wildlife on site you will need to keep your dog on a lead at all times.

Activities

General information

A little bit about Upper Derwent Valley

  • Upper Derwent Valley was created in the early 20th Century to provide 10,000 million gallons of water for the growing urban population in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
  • Over 1,000 people were involved in building the reservoirs and were housed in the temporary ‘Tin Town’ at Birchinlee.
  • There are the flooded villages of Derwent and Ashopton – when water levels are low, you may get a glimpse of the village remains.
  • The Derwent, Howden, and Ashopton Resevoirs were in fact once the training site of the famous Dambusters Squadron.