Ghost Road, Ladybower Reservoir

Ghost Road is a quiet stretch of roadway located near Ladybower Reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley, within the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire. The road runs through remote woodland and moorland landscape close to the reservoir and forms part of the network of historic routes that once connected small villages and farms in the valley. The surrounding area has a deep and often sombre history. During the construction of Ladybower Reservoir between 1935 and 1943, the villages of Derwent and Ashopton were cleared and flooded to create the reservoir that now supplies water to the East Midlands. The displacement of communities and the disappearance of these settlements beneath the water have long contributed to the area’s mysterious atmosphere. Today the roads around Ladybower are popular with walkers, cyclists, and visitors exploring the dramatic scenery of the Peak District. The remote setting, dense forests, and winding lanes create a striking contrast between the natural beauty of the valley and the traces of the communities that once existed there. The stretch of road commonly referred to as “Ghost Road” has gained a reputation through local folklore and paranormal stories shared by visitors to the area. The quiet and isolated nature of the route, combined with the valley’s long history and the loss of the original villages, has helped establish its place in local legend as one of the more mysterious locations around Ladybower Reservoir.