Description: The road from Grangemill to Cromford was constructed through the Griffe Grange Valley in the eighteenth century by Philip Gell and given the name Via Gellia, as a consequence of the 'Gells' alleged Roman descent. The purpose was to improve access between the family lead mines at Carsington and the Cromford smelter. Now the valley, as well as the road, is more commonly known as Via Gellia. Whatever name is used, it is one of the most beautiful valleys in the county and Lord Byron could have had it in his mind when he wrote 'I assure you there are things in Derbyshire as noble as in Greece or Switzerland'. Early in the nineteenth century there were seven mills set at different levels up a two mile stretch of the Via Gellia from Cromford. The trade name Vyella originated from the fabric that was once produced at one of the textile mills in the valley. On the steep hillside, where the Bonsall road meets the Via Gellia, a skull, thought to be that of a mammoth, was discovered at the entrance to a cave. Further up the valley the Tufa Cottage is most unusual, being constructed of tufa rock formed from dissolved limestone which has been re-deposited in water. (information from www.wirksworth.org.uk)