Directly under the town centre, the Torrs is a natural gorge now
crossed by the Union Road High Level Bridge built in 1884. It is
an important industrial archaeology site of the late 18th century
and the ruins of old mills and cottages can be seen along the banks
of the rivers. The only surviving mill, Torr Vale, in a stunning
location in the gorge, holds the record for the longest continuous
textile production in the country for over 200 years until its closure
in 2000. Strenuous efforts are being made to restore the now derelict
grade 2* buildings.
The Riverside Park - the ‘Park under the Town’- now
extends for two miles along the Goyt valley linked by the Torrs
Millenium Walkway. Much of the valley has been reclaimed from former
uses with extensive tree planting, pond creation and access paths.
The Torrs is a popular site for club fishing and rock climbing and
the northern end joins the Sett Valley Trail, a bridleway to Hayfield.
Details of the Torrs and copies of publications, including maps
and walks, are available in the Heritage and Information Centre.
At the south end of the Riverside Park is Goytside Meadows, a 10
hectare (25 acre) Local Nature Reserve, where flower-rich pasture
and meadow land with public access is owned and managed by the Town
Council.
The path through the Torrs is part of the Midshires Way and Derbyshire
County Council, in partnership with New Mills Town Council, High
Peak Borough Council and many private organisations built the award-winning
and spectacular Millenium Walkway to make the final connection of
the path under the town. Among the various accolades, the walkway
won top prize in the British Construction Industry Award 2000.
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