Georgian Derbyshire Festival Events
Events in Cromford
Theme: Landscapes

Looking at the Landscape Exhibition

Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Education Room, Cromford Mill Yard, Mill Lane, Cromford, DE4 3RQ
Cost: FREE
Booking: Drop in – no need to book
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

How artists and map makers have viewed, recorded, and interpreted the landscape around Cromford since the 18th century.

Inspired Lacemakers

Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Visitor Centre, Cromford Mill Yard, Mill Lane, Cromford, DE4 3RQ
Cost: FREE
Booking: Drop in – no need to book
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

An exhibition and demonstration of Bobbin Lacemaking. Throughout the day visitors will be able to join in and learn the basics of Lacemaking.

Redcoats & Revolutionaries Re-enactors

Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Cromford Mill Yard, Mill Lane, Cromford, DE4 3RQ
Cost: FREE
Booking: Drop in – no need to book
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Includes Military Drills, Forge, Tavern & Camera obscura.

Costume Tours

Time: 10.30am and 12.30pm
Venue: Cromford Mill Yard, Mill Lane, Cromford, DE4 3RQ
Cost: Adults £15 Children 12+ £2.50 Under 12s free
Booking: https://www.wegottickets.com/cromfordmills

Join the Mill Manager and step back in time to 1797 when he was running the world’s first successful water-powered mill. Follow in the footsteps of hundreds of mill workers as you explore 18th Century village life in Cromford!

St Mary’s Church Cromford

Time: 11am to 4pm
Venue: St Mary’s Church, Mill Rd, Cromford DE4 3RQ
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Booking: Drop in – no need to book
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

St Mary’s Church open for viewing with organ music 2pm – 3pm

Birdswood Historic Canal Boat Trip

Time: 2pm
Venue: Cromford Wharf, Cromford DE4 3RQ
Cost: Adults £10, conc £8, children £5 and family tickets £25
Booking: Regular Powered Boat Trip Birdswood
Accessibility: Passengers must be able to embark and disembark with minimal assistance. There are 2 steps up and 4 steps down into the boat.

Book a trip on Birdswood, see the crew dressed in traditional boatman’s clothes.

Meandering over to Masson Mills

Time: 2pm – 4.30pm
Venue: Cromford Mill Yard, Mill Lane, Cromford, DE4 3RQ
Cost:£10 per person (pay at Masson Mills on the day)
Booking:  Email DVMWHS@derbyshire.gov.uk to request a place include names and number of places.Cost:£10 per person (pay at Masson Mills on the day)
Maximum: 20 people
Accessibility: Uneven footpath on Church Walk from Cromford to Masson.  Lift available at Masson Mills to access the museum.

Meeting at Cromford Mill Yard at 2pm we will walk along Church Walk viewing Sir Richard Arkwright’s Willersley Castle over the River Derwent. On arrival at Masson Mills we will have a guided tour of the working textile museum looking at how the landscape and river were harnessed for Arkwright’s second mills and how the river continues to power the building through hydro power generation to this day. We’ll be guided around the fascinating collection of textiles machinery, the bobbin room and the view over the Derwent into the stunning gorge. We will have time to stop for a warm drink whilst viewing the conference rooms and museum reception area before walking back to Cromford mills for 4.30pm. Total distance approx. 1.2 miles

Afternoon Tea and Talk with Dr Elizabeth Woledge 

Time: 2pm – 4.30pm
Venue: Gothic Warehouse, Cromford Wharf, Mill Lane, Cromford, DE4 3RQ
Cost:£30 per person
Booking: To book click here. Please note there are limited places available.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, savoury nibbles, cakes, and homemade fruit scones with clotted cream and jam, all served with tea or coffee. While Dr Woledge takes you on a journey of the history of Royal Crown Derby from its humble beginnings in 1750 to the present day. Learn how to identify the oldest items, discover how new innovations shaped the factory’s fortunes, and admire the outstanding craftsmanship of some of our finest items. The talk is illustrated with museum items that you can handle and explore getting a full appreciation of the tactile beauty of Derby Porcelain.