Langley Mill Basin

The basin itself is a working industrial waterway rather than a leisure lake, but that's precisely what makes it interesting. You're looking at a stretch of the Erewash Canal near Alfreton where narrowboats tie up and the towpath runs solid and well-maintained - proper countryside, just with water traffic instead of ducks. The walk along here is flat and easy, which families appreciate, though there's nothing flashy about it. No playgrounds, no cafes, just the rhythm of the canal and whatever the weather decides to throw at you. The real appeal is if you're into industrial heritage or canal culture. There's a genuine sense of place here, the kind where you might chat with a boat owner or watch someone working a lock. If you're staying at Golden Valley Caravan and Camping Park just down the road, it's a decent evening stroll - maybe forty minutes there and back - to stretch your legs and get a feel for how this part of Derbyshire actually works. Don't expect pretty parkland walks or manicured gardens. This is the real thing, a functioning waterway that's been here for centuries. Whether that appeals to you depends entirely on your taste. Some find it genuinely atmospheric; others will think twenty minutes is quite enough. The towpath runs both directions, so you can pick your distance, and it costs nothing.