The bridge over the Derwent was built in the 15th century on the old road between Cromford and Matlock.

The following extract describes the approach from the north in 1793, ‘˜Imagine yourself on the hill, the river beneath, numberless trees in all the various forms that an obtructing rock or a want of support can occasion, a white rock towering far above you; the road, now leading to Cromford, makes a sudden turn close to it; a cotton mill, with a neat little turret, surrounded by trees, the massy wheel turning slowly, the water foaming from it; at some distance, Sir Richard Arkwright's house, Willersley, like a vast castle, with its keep, etc., all embattled; farther, his mills, Cromford Bridge, and the new chapel; behind, a chain of hills, partly covered with wood; opposite the house a huge rock, fantastically adorned with shrubs and trees; through this rock the road is carried with much labour'.

This description of Arkwright's house which is close to the bridge is seriously influenced by the romantic surroundings as in fact it is a rather plain Georgian mansion with very modest battlements. The bridge is by folk law haunted by a malevolent ash tree called Crooker, that in the past tried three times to throw an unwary traveller into the Derwent to drown. The lucky traveller escaped and took refuge in the Chapel next to the bridge. Sadly the chapel is now a ruin.