Top 11 Waterfalls around Brampton
Best waterfalls around Brampton are found in a region characterized by diverse natural landscapes, including forests, valleys, and rivers. This area offers a variety of water features, from natural cascades to historical mill-powered falls. The terrain often includes intermediate to challenging sections, providing varied experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. The region integrates cultural heritage with natural beauty, featuring natural monuments and historical sites.
Best waterfalls around Brampton
- The most popular waterfalls is Sowter Stone Waterfall, a viewpoint that features a stone carved into a basin, fed by a small stream. It offers views over a house and its gardens.
- Another must-see spot is Lumsdale Valley Mill Ruins and Waterfall, a waterfall and natural monument. Visitors can expect views of the falls and valley from a permissive footpath, even though access to the immediate mill ruins may be restricted.
- Visitors also love Lumsdale Falls, a waterfall and historical site. Though parts of the path are closed, a permissive footpath provides a vantage point of the falls and the valley.
- Brampton is known for natural waterfalls, historical mill-powered falls, and engineered weirs. The region offers a variety of waterfalls to see and explore, often integrated with historical sites and natural monuments.
- The waterfalls around Brampton are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 240 upvotes and 139 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: July 1, 2026
Sowter Stone Waterfall
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Lumsdale Valley Mill Ruins and Waterfall
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Unfortunately, there are areas and buildings in a very poor state of repair and most of the permissive access to the old buildings, Bentley Brook, the mill ponds and waterfall has been restricted while they seek funds to stabilise, make safe and repair the buildings and features.
There is still some access on the public footpath that goes through the valley and the permissive path which gets a bit closer to the old mill is open during the week from 9:00 - 20:00. It is closed during the weekend.
Please note that there is no parking in the valley, if you would like to walk through here it's best to walk from Matlock or take the bus which stops on Chesterfield Road (north of the valley) and then walk through Lumsdale and back to Matlock centre.
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Lumsdale Falls
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Sydnope Brook Waterfall
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The Sydnop Brook is small and tumbling with a nice little waterfall close to the steep and sometimes muddy/slippery path. It's a pretty walk up through the woodland.
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Smeltingmill Brook in Beeley Plantation
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Tips from the Community
A very stunning waterfall on outskirts of Matlock, this is a less busy waterfall than Lumsdale so well worth a visit, some paths are slightly overgrwon as not used as much
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Short little walk if you can get parked on the road. Beautiful place that is a must see!
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Harnessing the power of moving water to drive a mill wheel is an ancient invention of human discovery, whose origins can be traced back to ancient times. Thanks to such a design, a watercourse – natural or artificial – could simply replace human or animal muscle power with the power of natural elements, for example, to grind grain into corn or press oil from fruit. There are essentially two drive variants for watermills: * Either the flowing water simply hits the blades of the water wheel from below to set it in motion; or * the water is guided above the wheel – usually through a so-called "mill channel" – and falls onto the blades. This design, thanks to natural gravity, ensures greater efficiency.
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Water from the Ring Pond flows over the Sowter Stone and down to the Aqueduct, which was constructed by Paxton in the late 1830’s and early 1840’s as part of his improvements to Stand Wood. The water continues down through Stand Wood and enters the garden above the Cascade Pond.
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Easy to miss the entrance to view the waterfalls w3w manliness.audio.inches GR SK 31279 60558 You enter through a gap in the wall/fence (see my photo) and walk through to the Falls. The walk continues up steep steps to see more of Falls along Bentley Brook. Park with care near Highfields School and walk to see the Falls.
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Though part of the path is closed off and you can't go in or through the buildings, there's a permissive footpath that takes you to a great vantage point of the falls and the valley. You can also walk round to the Mill Pond that feeds the falls for another viewpoint.
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I walked the tour today and there is access through and close to the falls not sure where these comments of closure are from - access is restricted to the core of the mill but the falls are all open and clear
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Frequently Asked Questions
What types of waterfalls can I find around Brampton?
The region around Brampton features a variety of water features, including natural cascades, historical mill-powered falls, and engineered weirs. These are often integrated with historical sites and natural monuments, offering diverse experiences for visitors.
Are there any historical sites associated with waterfalls in the area?
Yes, you can explore historical sites like Lumsdale Falls, which is part of the Lumsdale Valley Mill Ruins. This area holds important examples of water-powered mills in Britain and is scheduled as an ancient monument. While access to the immediate mill ruins may be restricted, a permissive footpath offers views of the falls and valley.
Which waterfalls are good for families?
The River Lathkill — Twelve Weirs is a natural monument that is considered family-friendly. It features a series of small dams constructed for trout fishing in a picturesque limestone valley, with a footpath through the woods allowing access and viewing of the weirs.
What are some popular viewpoints to see waterfalls?
The Sowter Stone Waterfall offers wonderful views over a house and its gardens from a stone carved into a basin. Additionally, a permissive footpath at Lumsdale Falls provides great vantage points of the falls and the valley.
What kind of terrain can I expect on trails near these waterfalls?
The terrain around the waterfalls often includes intermediate to challenging sections. For example, the area around Sowter Stone Waterfall and Smeltingmill Brook in Beeley Plantation features woodland areas and hillside walks, providing varied experiences for outdoor enthusiasts.
Are there hiking opportunities near the waterfalls?
Yes, there are numerous hiking opportunities. For instance, you can find various hiking trails around Brampton, with options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. You can explore routes like the 'Linacre Park & 3 Reservoirs loop' or the 'Linacre Reservoirs Entrance – Carved Fairy Tree loop'. Find more details on the Hiking around Brampton guide.
Can I go running near the waterfalls?
Absolutely. The region offers several running trails. Consider routes like the 'Birchen Edge & Gardoms Edge loop' or the 'White Edge – View from Curbar Edge loop'. More running options are available in the Running Trails around Brampton guide.
Are there cycling routes in the vicinity of the waterfalls?
Yes, the area provides cycling routes for various skill levels. You can find moderate to difficult routes such as the 'Wigley Summit Climb – Linacre Lower Reservoir loop' or the 'Harewood Climb – Hipper Valley Cycleway loop'. Discover more in the Cycling around Brampton guide.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the waterfalls around Brampton?
Visitors appreciate the natural beauty and the integration of historical sites with natural monuments. Many enjoy the wonderful views, the calming effects of the water, and the opportunities for photography and connecting with nature. The quiet, less crowded spots like Smeltingmill Brook in Beeley Plantation are also highly valued.
Is access to all waterfall areas unrestricted?
No, access can sometimes be restricted. For example, at Lumsdale Valley Mill Ruins and Waterfall, areas and buildings are in a poor state of repair, and most permissive access to the old buildings, Bentley Brook, mill ponds, and the waterfall itself may be restricted, especially on weekends and Bank Holidays, while preservation efforts are underway.
Are there any waterfalls that are less crowded?
Yes, Smeltingmill Brook in Beeley Plantation is noted for being very quiet and away from the crowds, offering a peaceful hillside walk through woodland areas just a few minutes from busier spots.
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