Millers Dale facts for kids
Millers Dale is a beautiful valley located along the River Wye in Derbyshire, England. It is a very popular place to visit in the Peak District National Park.
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What is Millers Dale?
Millers Dale is known for its stunning natural beauty. A large part of the area is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's a special place for nature and wildlife.
- Nearby areas like Ravenstor and Chee Dale are very popular for rock climbing.
- To the north of Millers Dale, you can find the village of Wormhill.
- There are also other valleys nearby, such as Peter Dale and Monk's Dale. Monk's Dale is also a protected nature reserve.
The Famous Viaducts
One of the most famous sights in Millers Dale is its large railway viaduct. A viaduct is like a long bridge that carries a railway line over a valley or river.
History of the Viaducts
- The first viaduct was built in 1866 by the Midland Railway company.
- As more trains needed to pass through, a second viaduct was built right next to the first one in 1905. This allowed for four railway tracks.
- The Millers Dale railway station was an important stop. Passengers traveling between London and Manchester would change trains here if they were going to Buxton.
The Monsal Trail
Today, large parts of the old railway line, including the viaducts, are part of the Monsal Trail. This trail is a popular path for walking and cycling. It lets people explore the beautiful scenery of the Peak District.
Geology of the Area
Millers Dale is a very interesting place for people who study rocks and the Earth (geologists). You can see different layers of rock where quarries and railway cuttings have exposed them.
Rock Layers at Station Quarry
- At Station Quarry, which is owned by the Naturalists Trust, you can see two main layers of limestone.
- These limestone layers are separated by a layer of shale.
- In one spot, the lower limestone layer dips down, as if an ancient river once flowed there millions of years ago. This dip is filled with shale, and you can even see a large limestone boulder stuck inside it.
Signs of Ancient Volcanoes
Elsewhere in the Millers Dale area, there are signs of lava flows. This shows that there was volcanic activity here a very long time ago.
Railway Tunnels and Paths
North of Millers Dale, the old railway line went through several tunnels and over bridges.
- The line entered two tunnels called Chee Tor tunnels (401 yards and 94 yards long).
- Between these tunnels, there was a bridge about 50-foot-high (15 m) over the River Wye.
- The railway then followed a path cut into the side of a tall rock face.
- It then went into Rusher Cutting Tunnel (121 yards) and crossed the River Wye again on another viaduct.
Building the Line
Building this part of the railway was very difficult and expensive. It had to go around the base of the Chee Tor cliff, which is about 300-foot (91 m) high.
Exploring the Tunnels Today
For safety reasons, Chee number 1 tunnel was closed until May 2011. But now, you can walk through all three tunnels as part of the Monsal Trail. Further along the line, there was a special junction for trains going to Buxton via Blackwell Mill, before continuing to Peak Forest.
