Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site

01/06/2026

The UNESCO UK Industrial Trail brings together 22 UNESCO designations in celebration of the United Kingdom’s internationally significant industrial heritage to form a trail for enthusiasts to explore. To find out more and explore the industrial trail visit: https://worldheritageuk.org/industrial-heritage/

Come and visit the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site: https://www.derwentvalleymills.org/visit/

22/05/2026

To coincide with Derby Book Festival there are a series of Historic Derby Guided Tours. Full details and booking at the links below.

Wednesday 27th May - 11.30 - 1pm: Enlightenment Derby I: Joseph Wright and Derby Society and Culture.

Wednesday 27th May - 3.30pm - 5pm: Enlightenment Derby II: Erasmus Darwin and the Derby Philosophers.

Thursday 28th May - 11.30am - 1pm: The Derby Arboretum (1840): Pioneer Public Park. A Guided Tour.

Friday 29th May - 11am - 2.30pm: Nottingham Road Cemetery, Derby (1855): A Historic Victorian Cemetery

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/enlightenment-derby-i-joseph-wright-and-derby-society-and-culture-tickets-1989981862319?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&_gl=1*4z8806*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjM2OTkwNTA5LjE3NzkyOTIxMjQ.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NzkyOTIxMjQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzkyOTIxMjQkajYwJGwwJGgw

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/enlightenment-derby-ii-erasmus-darwin-and-the-derby-philosophers-tickets-1989989954523?aff=erellivmlt

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-derby-arboretum-1840-a-pioneering-public-park-a-guided-tour-tickets-1990006587272?aff=erellivmlt

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nottingham-road-cemetery-derby-1855-a-historic-victorian-cemetery-tickets-1990008549140?aff=erellivmlt

This guided walk examines Joseph Wright’s life and achievements, considering why Derby Enlightenment culture was so vital for these.

18/05/2026

14/05/2026

Calling all photographers!

ICOMOS UK Photography competition 2026 is inviting entries this year on the theme; "Images of Industrial Heritage" - what a perfect spot around the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site to gather your inspiration and entry!

The competition aims to explore changing approaches to and perceptions of industrial heritage. We are looking for images that spotlight sites of industrial heritage, and reflect on how they are preserved, celebrated and debated.

Images of Industrial Heritage

ICOMOS invite photographers to capture images that showcase the stark beauty and surprising fragility of industrial heritage and our changing relationships with it. Or to document change in and for local communities as a result of industrialisation, deindustrialisation and the social, economic, and environmental impacts of both.

Photographs may include, but are not limited to, World Heritage Sites, other heritage sites, and places which are not formally designated as heritage at all, but which have an important story to tell. Sites can be located anywhere around the world.

There are four categories that images can be submitted for, which aim to record, celebrate or pose questions about the variety of industrial heritage and its impact on people:
• Machinery – working or redundant engines, equipment, production lines and processes
• Buildings & Structures – from the monumental to the fragmentary
• Landscapes and their transformation by the presence or disappearance of industrial activity and processes
• People and community – making, conserving, taking part, moving away

Enter the ICOMOS UK Photography Competition

Why not enter the competition? Winners will receive a print of their work, as well as a year’s membership of ICOMOS, and shortlisted images will go on display in the gallery at our Cowcross Street offices.

The full details of the competition, including instructions for entry, and details on the judges, can be found on their website here: https://icomos-uk.org/icomos-uk-heritage-photography-competition-2026-images-of-industrial-heritage%ef%bf%bc

The deadline is 1st September 2026.

14/05/2026

PUBLIC ART CALL-OUT - Deadline for submissions: 17th May 2026

Are you a visual artist interest in creating work that reflects part of the 250 year heritage of Belper as an industrial town? Do you want a chance to have your work displayed within a World Heritage Site on an outdoor plinth?

Fleet Arts hosts a display case on the 'Triangle' opposite East Mill on the corner of Bridge Street and Bridge Foot. This year Fleet Arts are inviting applications from artists to make work that explores Belper in the past, present and/or future.

Application details are on the Fleet Arts website with the fee and required size, format, timeframe. www.fleet-arts.org

Belper Town Council Belper 250

09/05/2026

Tomorrow (10th May) you can join Belper North Mill from 11am-3pm to celebrate National Mills Weekend!

Take part in family activities, crafts and Victorian games in the North Mill, enjoy the industrial links of clog dancing from the Ripley Green Garters Morris group (you can even join in!), watch spinning demonstrations by Kim Kerry, as well as knowledgeable volunteers on hand to share our incredible building and history. We even have local blacksmith Hazell Forged demonstrating the art of nail making, where you can book to have a go (details on the attached poster).

Our new book written by the volunteers 'The Strutt Mills of Belper and Milford' will also be available to buy on the day.

This is a free event made possible by local firm Lubrizol.

Belper 250 Belper and Proud Belper News

07/05/2026

For residents and stakeholders in Darley Abbey: A message from Derby City Council.

Dear resident or stakeholder

In December 2025, further deterioration to the old Darley Abbey Mills Bridge structure and erosion to the riverbanks were identified and action was taken to close access to Walter’s Walkway for safety reasons. We are unable to reopen Walter’s Walkway until we have removed the old bridge and stabilised the riverbanks. Before we can remove the bridge deck and columns we need to submit a planning application and obtain necessary approval.

We are only able to carry out these works in summer months for environmental reasons, and we are working with contractors Cawarden on the safe removal of the bridge between July and September 2026.

The works will involve the removal and storage of Walter’s Walkway, removal of the old bridge and we will undertake surveys before submitting a further planning application for work to stabilise the riverbanks. When this work is complete, we can then look at reinstating Walter’s Walkway to restore access across the river in the medium term, we plan to reinstate Walter’s Walkway by February 2027.

In addition, we continue to progress the project for a permanent, replacement bridge, further information is available on the webpages using the following link: https://www.derby.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/roads-highways-pavements/darley-abbey-toll-bridge/.

It is very likely that the bridge removal works will cause significant disruption to residents and business owners, and we are working with contractors to manage this process.

We are holding drop-in sessions where you will be able to ask the contractor questions, see how they will undertake the removal work and view drawings.

Stakeholder drop-in session - Thursday 14 May 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at Derby Rugby Club
Public drop-in session - Thursday 21 May 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Little Darley’s

If you have any further enquiries about the bridge removal works, please use [email protected]
If you have any further enquiries regarding the planning application, please use [email protected]

Information about the Darley Abbey Mills bridge closure and temporary footbridge

06/05/2026

Coming up this weekend join Belper North Mill on Sunday 10th May from 11am-3pm to celebrate National Mills Weekend!

Take part in family activities, crafts and Victorian games in the North Mill, enjoy the industrial links of clog dancing from the Ripley Green Garters Morris group (you can even join in!), watch spinning demonstrations by Kim Kerry, as well as knowledgeable volunteers on hand to share our incredible building and history. We even have local blacksmith Hazell Forged demonstrating the art of nail making, where you can book to have a go (details on the attached poster).

Our new book written by the volunteers 'The Strutt Mills of Belper and Milford' will also be available to buy on the day.

This is a free event made possible by local firm Lubizol.

Belper 250 Cromford Mills Derby Museums Masson Mills

06/05/2026

This weekend is National Mills Weekend and as well as the activities on Sunday at Belper North Mill on Friday (8th) at 7pm there's also a "Belper Stories" talk fund-raising for Belper Unitarian Chapel. Join Adrian Farmer as he talks through some of Belper's greatest stories - old favourites and a few new ones too!
No need to book - just turn up! This is a free event but please do donate generously on the day to support the upkeep of Belper's historic Unitarian Chapel. Refreshments available.
Belper 250

05/05/2026

A few more pictures from the water as part of Paddle Peak River Derwent Cruise for Belper 250. Can you spot yourself! Amazing to see the mills from the water with so many people enjoying a sunny day on the water! Thanks to everyone who came and paddled, those who came to watch and everyone who kept people informed and entertained in the River Gardens with performances and stalls.