These are at a point in which a River Wye flows into the River Derwent and prospered from mills in each.

Notable features come a bridge above a River Derwent and the Peacock Hotel , originally built around 1652 as a manor house by John Stevenson, professional to Lady Manners, whose family crest bearing the peacock gives it its title. Two Longfellow and Landseer are said to have stayed there. Nearby is Chatsworth House home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

It was a places of an extensive motive power depot and marshalling yard, the number 1 existence built per Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway with a train depot designed by Joseph Paxton in 1849. This was replaced by a newly station whenever the line was extended north around 1862. It was often utilized by King Edward VII whilst he visited Chatsworth Home. the original station became a goods depot until 1968 when it was used as a contractor's front yard. It so became the centrepiece of a camping developent.