Rowsley is a busy village dissected by roads and rivers, surrounded by towering hills topped with moorland, and situated on the border of the Peak District National Park at the base of the Wye Valley where it unites with the Derwent.

Originally in two parts known as Great Rowsley and Little Rowsley and divided by the river Derwent, the two areas became amalgamated in 1987. Great Rowsley was the earlier part of the village dating back centuries, whilst Little Rowsley (actually the larger by population) was established with the arrival of the railway in 1849. Joining Great and Little Rowsley and carrying the main A6 through the village is a 15th century bridge over the river. Built as a packhorse bridge it was widened in 1925 to carry an increasing volume of traffic, whilst an adjacent low arched railway bridge over the A6 was demolished following the closure of the line in 1968, allowing high-sided vehicles to travel freely along the busy trunk road.
Rowsley is located about 3 miles south of Bakewell on the A6, only a mile or so from the wonderful medieval manor house of Haddon Hall, owned by the Duke of Rutland, whilst a short drive to the north takes you to Chatsworth House, one of the country’s finest stately houses and home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

There are three hotels in Rowsley – the 16th century majestic Peacock Hotel which was a former roadside coaching inn; romantic East Lodge which stands in stunning landscaped grounds and qualifies as a premier Country House hotel, and the Grouse and Claret public house, formerly known as The Station Hotel, which was built after the arrival of the railway and has been extended and refurbished in recent years.

Located on a rise above Rowsley is St Katherine’s church which dates from 1855, whilst across from the Peacock Hotel is Caudwell’s Mill which is listed Grade II and still operates as a working museum with craft centre and tea rooms.

Peak Village just off Chatsworth Road at Rowsley is a factory outlet shopping centre which contains a variety of shops, good parking facilities, a restaurant and the Toys of Yesteryear Museum.

Rowsley has a thriving school – a gift from the Duke of Rutland in 1840 - together with a village hall and playing fields. There is an annual fete in June with Well Dressings and a Flower Festival in the church.

Features of interest to be found around Rowsley include the village fountain which stands at the junction of Church Lane adjacent to the Peacock Hotel. It was carved by Trevis Bath in the 19th century and it is said that he also carved the stone peacock on the front elevation of the hotel. The lamp which stands on a small road island opposite was given to the village by John Holmes the local blacksmith 'in gratitude for 60 years at nearby Bridge House'.