[1] The Hamps rises on the high moorland (grid reference SK033598), on the south side of Merryton Low, east of Upper Hulme.

The woodlands of this last stretch are part of the National Trust's South Peak Estate.

During the summer months the river disappears underground and re-emerges at Hamps Spring near Ilam.

In the 1960/70s there were controversial proposals to build a major new reservoir just north of Winkhill, inside the National Park.

However, in the end these proposals were dropped in favour of the reservoir at Carsington Water.