Wirksworth is a market town in central Derbyshire in the Peak district.
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| Wirksworth |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| County: | Derbyshire |
| District: | Derbyshire Dales |
| Population: | 5038 (2011 census) |
Wirksworth has Saxon origins with the parish church of St Mary thought to date from 653CE (though the current building's oldest parts date from the 12th century). The town's origins might pre-date that, is possible the Roman settlement of Lutudarum was at Wirksworth. The town has the oldest town charter in the Peak district, dating from 835.
During Roman and Anglo-Saxon times there were a number of lead mines nearby. These were later listed in the Domesday Book as being owned by Repton Abbey. There continued to be lead mines in the area into the modern period. In the 18th century the cotton mills began to grow in the area. The town was prosperous enough to allow for the building of a grand new town hall in 1871.
Wirksworth remains a prosperous market town though the old industries have departed. The town is the headquarters of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway preserved line.
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| Ecclesbourne Valley Railway |
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| Blacks Head pub |
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| Old buildings and new commerce in Wirksworth |
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| St Mary's church |
