New Mills Heritage Trail & Stamp Album

Heritage Trail

Welcome to New Mills! The Heritage Trail links a selection of our historic attractions by way of a guided walk through the town and its green spaces, incorporating access points to public transport.

Key local landmarks that feature in the trail are Torr Vale Mill, Rock Mill Centre and High Lea Hall. They are all open to the public and offer a range of facilities. In addition, they are located close to the following focal points: the Torrs Riverside Park and Millennium Walkway, New Mills Town Centre offering many independent shops and places to eat, and High Lea Park and the Community Orchard.

You can collect paper copies of the leaflets from Rock Mill Centre, Rock Mill Lane, New Mills, SK22 3BN

If you have the Komoot app, Visit New Mills has these walk maps plus some additional ones so you can follow on the app. Find our Profile here: https://www.komoot.com/visitnewmills

Alternatively for the majority of the walks we have also added a GPX file, which can be downloaded and used by importing on various apps such as Alltrails, OS Maps, Strava, map my walk app and many more. New Mills Heritage Trail GPX FILE

1 High Lea Hall to Community Orchard

From High Lea Hall, head uphill besides the wooded area. Take the track through the woods near the top of the left side of the field. The Orchard is to be found through the gate a short way along the track.

2 Orchard to Gym Equipment

Return to the front of High Lea Hall. Pass in front of the Hall and follow the path around the field. You will find the gym equipment on your right-hand side. Notice the Church of the Annunciation, a listed building with a ‘broach spire,’ built in the 1830’s.

3 Gym Equipment to Rock Mill Centre

Continue along the path and exit the park onto St Mary’s Road. Walk down St Mary’s Road to the junction and, taking great care, cross Hague Bar Road. Turn left for the Bus Station behind which is Rock Mill Lane. The entrance to the Rock Mill Centre can be found on the left off the cobbled path that runs down from Rock Mill Lane.

4 Rock Mill Centre to Torrs Hydro

Leaving Rock Mill Centre, continue along Rock Mill Lane, crossing Union Road with care. Rock Mill Lane continues on the other side of Union Road. At the junction, turn right onto Rock Street. Cross over Torr Top Street onto the cobbled path and down to the viewing platform formed by the remnants of the Chain Horse Stables. To your left, there are two alternative paths down to the valley bottom, both of which have steps to negotiate. Take either of these and when you reach the river, turn right. Follow the path by the river, passing the last few remains of Barnes Mill and under the Railway Viaduct to the confluence of the Rivers Sett and Goyt where you will find the Torrs Hydro Scheme.

5 Torrs Hydro to Millennium Walkway

Leaving behind the Hydro and the ruins of Torr Mill, follow the path under Union Road Bridge which was built to unify the town. Continue until you reach the ruins of Rock Mill. Ahead of you is the Millennium Walkway which takes you around the bend in the River Goyt along its 165 metre length.

6 Millennium Walkway to Torr Vale Mill

There are three engineering feats to note along the Walkway. The first is the Walkway itself, a fitting memorial to Stan Brewster, the engineer responsible. The second is the wall to which the Walkway is fixed, which dates to the 1860’s and is the retaining wall for the Railway above. The third is across the river – Torr Vale Mill dates from 1788. (If you are heading to Central station go up the steep footpath on the left just after the footbridge) At the end of the Walkway, cross the River Goyt via the footbridge. At the top of the steps, turn left to enter the mill complex. The bistro and shops are towards the end of the lane.

To reach Newtown station turn right at the top of the steps and go up the hill. Follow the lane alongside the playing field into Torr Vale Road and keep heading in the same direction along Wirksmoor Road. Turn right at the top onto Albion Road and walk up past the Swizzels sweet factory (where Lovehearts are made!). After crossing the canal you will see the railway station on the left.

Public Transport

New Mills is fortunate to have two railway stations, Central and Newtown, with regular services to Manchester, Sheffield and Buxton. It also has a central bus station, a marina on the canal and is featured on national cycle and walking routes. It is ideally placed as a gateway to the Kinder Plateau and the Peak District. It offers many lovely places to stay too!

Launching this April, The New Mills Stamp Album (The Collection)

Launching this April, The New Mills Stamp Album is an interactive companion to your visit. While the Heritage Trail shows you the views, the Stamp Album invites you inside our most iconic buildings and independent businesses.

Please Note: There are 15 unique stamps to collect. While many are located directly on the Heritage Trail, several are located in other historic parts of the town (such as Brook Bottom or the Golf Club) that are well worth the extra stroll!

How to Join the Hunt

Pick up your Album: Collect your physical “Stamp Album” booklet from Rock Mill Centre or High Lea Hall.
Spot the Sign: Look for the “New Mills Stamp Album” cover image displayed in the windows of participating venues.
Collect the Set: Step inside and ask for your stamp!

Stamp Locations & Addresses: Explore the town and collect stamps from these 15 participating organisations: