Events
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THE WORKER’S MAY DAY – BELPER 250
Talk by Adrian Perry of the Derby People’s History Group. The summer of 1842 was a time of widespread distress and with mounting industrial unrest across the country the Chartist Movement called a General Strike. The people of the Belper area responded on Monday 22 August at 8.00am with ‘a large mob several thousand strong’ […]
DERWENT RIVER CRUISE AND CELEBRATION – BELPER 250
A River Cruise for adults and family groups. From the beautiful River Gardens, either take part in a race upstream and back (3 miles) or take a leisurely cruise with fellow paddlers, upstream as far as Ambergate, returning to socialise and enjoy displays and music back at the River Gardens. Or just come to watch, […]
ANTIQUES, VINTAGE AND COLLECTABLES FAIR – CROMFORD MILLS
Cromford Mills Antiques Fair presents a wide range of quality antiques, vintage items, and collectables, all set within the historic surroundings of the Cromford Mills complex. A varied selection of knowledgeable traders offer stock that includes antiques, decorative objects, traditional furnishings, curiosities, and distinctive one-off pieces. The fair provides a relaxed and informal environment for […]
BELPER ARTS TRAIL – BELPER 250
There will be a Belper 250 theme for the Arts Trail this year. More details to follow.
MIDDLETON TOP WINDING ENGINE OPERATING DAY
See the world’s oldest beam engine of its type in action. Discover how it pulled wagons up and down steep hills on one of the world’s first long distance railways. Venue: Middleton Top, Middleton-By-Wirksworth, DE4 4LS (from the A6 at Cromford, climb the B5036 and follow the signs) Time: 12pm – 4.30pm Cost: £6.00, concessions £3.50, car […]
LEAWOOD PUMPHOUSE OPEN (IN STEAM)
Experience the power of this great steam engine. The heat of the boilers, the smell of the grease and power of the wave as tons of water are pumped from the River Derwent into the Cromford Canal. It is open today and in steam thanks to Middleton Top and Leawood Pump Volunteer group. Venue: Leawood Pumphouse, Cromford […]
LEAWOOD PUMPHOUSE OPEN (IN STEAM)
Experience the power of this great steam engine. The heat of the boilers, the smell of the grease and power of the wave as tons of water are pumped from the River Derwent into the Cromford Canal. It is open today and in steam thanks to Middleton Top and Leawood Pump Volunteer group. Venue: Leawood Pumphouse, Cromford […]
MIDDLETON TOP WINDING ENGINE OPERATING DAY
See the world’s oldest beam engine of its type in action. Discover how it pulled wagons up and down steep hills on one of the world’s first long distance railways. Venue: Middleton Top, Middleton-By-Wirksworth, DE4 4LS (from the A6 at Cromford, climb the B5036 and follow the signs) Time: 12pm – 4.30pm Cost: £6.00, concessions £3.50, car […]
BELPER 250 QUIZ – BELPER 250
Quiz run by Belper Rotary in collaboration with the British Legion club. The quiz will focus on the facts, myths, and characters relating to the past 250 years, since the first Strutt cotton mill opened in Belper. Venue: British Legion Club, Strutt Street, Belper Time: 7pm Cost: £3.00 per person. There will be a chip […]
BELPER STORIES – BELPER 250
Adrian Farmer talks about some of Belper’s stories from the past 250 years, going through a series of themes: people and animals, battles and celebrations, small moments and big events. Venue: Belper Unitarian Chapel, Field Row, Belper Time: 7pm Cost: Free to enter, but do please bring a donation to support the chapel. Refreshments available […]
PRESERVING BELPER’S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE – BELPER 250
A project coordinated by Belper Historical Society (BHS), aiming to engage with communities in and around Belper who may have relatives who worked in the many Belper factories and have treasures hidden away in cupboards and dusty attics. Volunteer BHS ‘curators’ will help to collect, organise and preserve factory-related photographs, documents and artefacts, creating virtual […]
BLACKSMITH EXPERIENCE DAY – HIGH PEAK JUNCTION RAILWAY WORKSHOP
High Peak Junction’s enthusiast blacksmith will walk you through the creation of a simple metalworking object, such as a barbecue fork, fire poker, or coat hook. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of blacksmithing, lighting and managing the fire, and all the techniques you need, using the workshop’s original forge and hand-pumped bellows […]
NATIONAL MILLS WEEKEND – BELPER 250
Come along to Strutt’s North Mill as they celebrate National Mills Weekend! Visit www.belpernorthmill.org.uk to find out more.
FORGE DAY AT HIGH PEAK JUNCTION RAILWAY WORKSHOPS
Have-a-go at being a blacksmith in the oldest railway workshop in the world! Learn basic blacksmithing techniques and make a poker or a toasting fork for you to take home. Venue: High Peak Junction Visitor Centre, DE4 5AA (signposted from the A6 at Cromford) Time: 10.30am – 4pm Cost: £20 per item Booking: Essential via 01629 533298. Participants […]
MAY FEST VICTORIAN TEA PARTY – BELPER 250
Join the Friends of Derby Arboretum for the May Fest Victorian Tea Party. This free event features Victorian costumed characters, Maypole Dancing, music, activities, games, and refreshments celebrating Derby’s diversity. Honouring Joseph Strutt, who gifted the Arboretum to Derby in 1840, the event welcomes families and all communities. No booking required. Venue: Derby Arboretum Park […]
THEATRE MAKING WORKSHOPS FOR COMPANY BLOOD’s HALLOWEEN SHOW
A season of theatre-making workshops for anyone interested in taking part in Company Blood’s new show for Halloween 2026, “The Belper Nightwatchmen Reports – a Ghost Walk” by Kev Fegan. The show will be a promenade production around Strutts, using both indoor and outdoor spaces. Venue: Workshop Location Strutt’s Community Centre, Belper Time: Workshops 7.30 – 9.00pm […]
PEEK THROUGH A LONG ROW WINDOW – BELPER 250
Belper actress and performer Judith Hibbert returns with a one-woman show – a mix of music, humour and projected images from Belper’s past, creating a picture of life in the town in the first half of the 20th century. Venue: Belper Unitarian Chapel, Field Row, Belper Time: 7pm Cost: Entry by donation. Booking: Essential. To […]
PEEK THROUGH A LONG ROW WINDOW – BELPER 250
Belper actress and performer Judith Hibbert returns with a one-woman show – a mix of music, humour and projected images from Belper’s past, creating a picture of life in the town in the first half of the 20th century. Venue: No. 28 Market Place, Belper Time: 7pm Cost: £5 per person. Booking: Essential. To book […]
WORLD OF THE WORKERS, BELPER
The Community, built from 1785 onwards to house the workers in the Strutt family cotton spinning mills is considered to be the oldest surviving textile workers’ community in England – in Belper, the oldest cotton spinning town in the world. It is just a short walk to the mills, a route that the workers would […]
BELPER U3A WALKING TREASURE HUNT – BELPER 250
Enjoy searching for special items of interest photographed in central Belper. Numbered photos and a route map, accessible on smart phones or for printing, will be found on https://belper.u3asite.uk/u3a_events/belper-u3a-walking-treasure-hunt/ . Paper copies of photographs and maps can be collected from locations which will be revealed on the website. When found, write the item number at […]
THEATRE MAKING WORKSHOPS FOR COMPANY BLOOD’S HALLOWEEN SHOW
A season of theatre-making workshops for anyone interested in taking part in Company Blood’s new show for Halloween 2026, “The Belper Nightwatchmen Reports – a Ghost Walk” by Kev Fegan. The show will be a promenade production around Strutts, using both indoor and outdoor spaces. Venue: Workshop Location Strutt’s Community Centre, Belper Time: Workshops 7.30 – 9.00pm […]
FINDING THE HISTORIC IN THE FOLKLORIC – BELPER 250
Talk by Chris Lewis-Jones for Belper Historical Society. A lively exploration of the ways in which folklore opens the door to a deeper appreciation of history, and vice versa, from artist, folklorist and archaeological illustrator, Chris Lewis-Jones. Venue: Room 107, Strutts Community Centre, Belper Time: 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm Cost: Free to members; £5 for […]
DISCOVER BELPER CHANNELS
Most people are surprised to find out how many channels there are in Belper, most of them hidden from view. They illustrate all of Belper’s History. Most of the paths are easy to walk but the steps on some channels are surprisingly steep. Join leader John Morrissey on this 4 mile circular walk which covers […]
PEEK THROUGH A LONG ROW WINDOW – BELPER 250
Belper actress and performer Judith Hibbert returns with a one-woman show – a mix of music, humour and projected images from Belper’s past, creating a picture of life in the town in the first half of the 20th century. Venue: Room 107, The Strutts Community Centre, Derby Road, Belper Time: 7pm Cost: £5 per person. […]
MIDDLETON TOP WINDING ENGINE OPERATING DAY
See the world’s oldest beam engine of its type in action. Discover how it pulled wagons up and down steep hills on one of the world’s first long distance railways. Venue: Middleton Top, Middleton-By-Wirksworth, DE4 4LS (from the A6 at Cromford, climb the B5036 and follow the signs) Time: 12pm – 4.30pm Cost: £6.00, concessions £3.50, car […]
MIDDLETON TOP WINDING ENGINE OPERATING DAY
See the world’s oldest beam engine of its type in action. Discover how it pulled wagons up and down steep hills on one of the world’s first long distance railways. Venue: Middleton Top, Middleton-By-Wirksworth, DE4 4LS (from the A6 at Cromford, climb the B5036 and follow the signs) Time: 12pm – 4.30pm Cost: £6.00, concessions £3.50, car […]
FORGE DAY AT HIGH PEAK JUNCTION RAILWAY WORKSHOPS
Have-a-go at being a blacksmith in the oldest railway workshop in the world! Learn basic blacksmithing techniques and make a poker or a toasting fork for you to take home. Venue: High Peak Junction Visitor Centre, DE4 5AA (signposted from the A6 at Cromford) Time: 10.30am – 4pm Cost: £20 per item Booking: Essential via 01629 533298. Participants […]
LEAWOOD PUMPHOUSE OPEN (STATIC)
Leawood Pumphouse was built in 1849 to pump water from the River Derwent into Cromford Canal. It is open to view today thanks to Middleton Top and Leawood Pump Volunteer group. Venue: Leawood Pumphouse, Cromford Canal, Access via High Peak Junction Car Park, Lea Bridge (south of Cromford), Derbyshire, DE4 5AA Time: 12 – 4.30pm Cost: Donations gratefully received. […]
THEATRE MAKING WORKSHOPS FOR COMPANY BLOOD’S HALLOWEEN SHOW
A season of theatre-making workshops for anyone interested in taking part in Company Blood’s new show for Halloween 2026, “The Belper Nightwatchmen Reports – a Ghost Walk” by Kev Fegan. The show will be a promenade production around Strutts, using both indoor and outdoor spaces. Venue: Workshop Location Strutt’s Community Centre, Belper Time: Workshops 7.30 – 9.00pm […]
TWO QUEENS – ELIZABETH I and MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTTS – A DERBYSHIRE TUDOR TALE
A new play by George Gunby, Directed by Rebecca Holmes. During May 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots escaped from Lochleven Castle and made her way to England. Eventually she was imprisoned in Wingfield Manor in the custody of Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury. The Countess is better known as Bess of Hardwick. Over the next […]
BELPER FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL – BELPER 250
To be held in the town centre. More details to follow.
BELPER IN THE FRAME: THE EDWARDIAN ERA – BELPER 250
Third in a series of six talks by Adrian Farmer, looking at the past 250 years in Belper through historic images. This session concentrates on images from the beginning of the 20th century. Venue: No.28, Market Place, Belper Time: 6pm Cost: Entry £5 Booking: Essential. Refreshments available for a donation. To book, email belpertalks.walks@gmail.com with your […]
