The village of Rowsley lies at the junction of the Wye and Derwent rivers. The village is historically in two sections, the original village (Great Rowsley) lies between two rivers and to the East is the historic ‘railway village’ (Little Rowsley) constructed around the former Midland Railway. To the South now lies the heritage Peak Rail and South Rowsley Station.
The local gritstone cottages and farmhouses have historical connections with nearby Haddon, Chatsworth and Caudwell’s Mill.
Rowsley Village is also home to Caudwell’s mill, which is a fine example of a working 19th Century water power flour mill. The outbuildings in the grounds of the mill house have a number of different art and artisan workshops as well as the ‘Country Parlour’ an excellent café with a reputation for fantastic home-cooked, vegetarian and vegan food, as well as superb cakes and bakes.
The village of Rowsley connects with the Monsal Trail at Bakewell and is ideal for cycling, running and walking. There are interesting wildlife and geological features together with evidence of a past industrial and railway history, that can be seen at Monsal Viaduct, Cressbrook Mill, Litton Mill and Lime Kilns.