New Mills - A Small Town With A Big Heart

New Mills is a market town in the High Peak borough of Derbyshire, England. Sitting above a natural gorge where the Rivers Goyt and River Sett meet. This historic town is located on the north‑western edge of the Peak District, yet only around 13 miles from Manchester and just a short drive from Stockport and other commuter towns.

The town occupies a compact valley setting and serves a local population of roughly 12,000 people, with a mix of historic mill buildings, residential neighbourhoods and riverside green space.

New Mills has a strong, volunteer‑led community, a lively grassroots arts and festival scene, and a neighbourhood culture built around independent shops, riverside green spaces and practical local clubs.

Its a town where it feels like people know one another and get things done. Independent traders, community cafés and local groups give the high street a friendly, lived‑in character, while riverside spaces such as Torrs Riverside Park and the Millennium Walkway act as everyday meeting places and focal points for events.

New Mills offers a compact high street, immediate access to riverside and Peak District walks, community arts and sports facilities, and reliable transport links — everything you need for everyday life and weekend adventure.

Independent shops, cafés and essential services line the main streets, so groceries, takeaways, and small specialist retailers are all within walking distance of most neighbourhoods. Schools, healthcare, pharmacies and routine services are available in town, with larger retail and specialist options a short train or car journey away.

New Mills is well connected: two local stations provide frequent direct trains into Manchester and regular services to Sheffield and beyond, while the Skyline 199 bus and a 20–30 minute drive make Manchester Airport easy to reach.

New Mills has a strong, active sporting scene and immediate access to outdoor adventure — from a full leisure centre with a 25m swimming pool to riverside trails, BMX tracks and organised clubs for all ages.

Local football, cricket, tennis and running clubs use town pitches and the leisure centre courts, offering junior and adult teams plus social fixtures that anchor community sport.

The town sits beside valley and riverside routes that provide easy access to family walks and longer Peak District trails, making everyday walking, trail running and cycle rides highly accessible from the centre.

New Mills has a proper 18‑hole golf course close to town and a range of nearby equestrian options, from riding schools to livery yards and bridleways that make the area well suited to horse riders of many levels.