Cromford Mills

Cromford Mills Cromford Mills is run and maintained by the Arkwright Society, a registered charity. Visit our website to see what’s on and ways to support.

Free to enter - made possible by every event ticket, on-site purchase and donation. Cromford Mills was rescued from dereliction in the 1970s by the newly formed Arkwright Society, and was restored back to how it would have looked in the 1770’s when Sir Richard Arkwright built the first successful water powered cotton spinning factory. The Arkwright Society are continually fundraising to maintain t

hese beautiful buildings and to regenerate them to be fit for modern use whilst at the same time preserving this unique historical site. Run as a tourist attraction, conference centre, office workspace and education facility, the visitor to Cromford Mills can enjoy our new Visitor Centre, historical tours, restaurants, shops, exhibitions and regular family events & fundays. Visit our website www.cromfordmills.org.uk for more information.

😃Antiques, Vintage and Collectables Fair THIS SUNDAY. Come down and explore a fantastic mix of antiques, vintage treasur...
02/09/2026

😃Antiques, Vintage and Collectables Fair THIS SUNDAY. Come down and explore a fantastic mix of antiques, vintage treasures and unique finds, from decorative pieces 🖼️ to curiosities and one-off gems…

🕙 10am – 4pm
🎟️ Free entry

01/09/2026

👁️⚠️ FRIGHT NIGHT 3 – THE MILLS HAVE EYES! 👁️

Fright Night returns to Cromford Mills this Halloween for its biggest and most terrifying event yet! Prepare to step into the darkness, with terrifying scares, live entertainment and Halloween mayhem around every corner… 👀

🩸 Two all-new scare mazes
👹 The return of the Z Walkers
☣️ Quarantine Zone
🤡 Twisted Big Top
🎭 Cosplay Competition
🍺 Craft Ale Bar
🍸 Horror Cocktails
🎶 Live music from The Yeah Ducks
🍔 Street food

📅 Saturday 31 October 2026
⏰ 6pm–11pm
📍 Cromford Mills

🎟️ 🦇 EARLY BIRD TICKETS END 1 OCTOBER – BOOK NOW!

https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/whats-on/fright-night-3-the-mills-have-eyes/

⚠️ Be afraid. Be very afraid...

🔨HERITAGE SKILLS DAY at Cromford Mills. Step into the world of traditional craftsmanship at Cromford Mills on Saturday 1...
01/09/2026

🔨HERITAGE SKILLS DAY at Cromford Mills. Step into the world of traditional craftsmanship at Cromford Mills on Saturday 19 September, as our Mill Yard comes alive with a fascinating showcase of heritage building skills.

From blacksmithing and dry stone walling to other traditional crafts, come along to watch skilled craftspeople in action, discover how these time-honoured techniques are used today, and learn more about their role in protecting Derbyshire’s historic buildings and landscapes.

Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Heritage Skills Day is a chance to explore the skills and traditions that help preserve the character of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

📍 Cromford Mills
📅 Saturday 19th September 2026
⏰ 10am–4pm
🎟️ Free to attend

Make a weekend of it!

🏛️ Discover the ‘1776: When the Threads Came Together’ exhibition at Cromford Mills and explore the fascinating history of the site.

🏠 On North Street, the Landmark Trust is offering a rare opportunity to step inside one of Cromford’s historic workers’ cottages and discover what life was like for mill workers during the early factory system. Booking required – visit the Landmark Trust website for details.

🎶 Then return on Sunday 20 September for a special afternoon of music featuring Derby Cathedral Choir, culminating in a beautiful service of Evensong at St Mary’s Church.

A weekend celebrating the skills, stories and people that shaped Cromford and the Derwent Valley.

👀The Women Behind the Georgian Country House. What was life really like for elite women in 18th-century Britain?Join Pro...
31/08/2026

👀The Women Behind the Georgian Country House. What was life really like for elite women in 18th-century Britain?

Join Professor Ruth Larsen at Cromford Mills for a fascinating heritage talk exploring the lives, roles and responsibilities of women in Georgian country houses.

From managing estates and households to navigating social expectations, these women held significant influence behind the scenes - helping to shape and maintain the world of the country house.

Elite Women and the Georgian Country House: Roles and Responsibilities offers a fascinating new perspective on Georgian society and the often-overlooked contribution of women to country house life.

📍 The Gothic Warehouse, Cromford Mills
📅 Thursday 17th September

Doors open at 7.00pm for refreshments. Talk starts at 7:30pm.
Tickets: £6 online, £7 on the door.

🎟️ Find out more and book your place:
https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/whats-on/highlighting-heritage-elite-women-and-the-georgian-country-houses-roles-and-responsibilities/

26/08/2026

🏕️ ADVENTURE WEEKEND – THIS BANK HOLIDAY! Looking for something fun to do with the family? Join us at Cromford Mills this Saturday / Sunday / Monday, 10am–4pm for a weekend packed with outdoor adventure!

🧗 Climbing
🏹 Archery
🎯 Nerf Target Challenge
⚽ Penalty Shootout
🛶 River Tubing
💎 Gem Panning
🏕️ Den Building
🗺️ Treasure Hunts
🌲 Woodland Skills
🛶 Kayaking
🔥 Survival Challenges
🎨 Tie-Dye Workshops

Plus, there’s plenty more happening around the Mills! Mill Yard Studio Gallery launches its new Embers II exhibition on Saturday & Sunday, with outdoor painting on Bank Holiday Monday.

📍 Cromford Mills
📅 29th–31st August
⏰ 10am–4pm

View the full weekend schedule here!
https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/whats-on/adventure-weekend-2/

Come along, get stuck in and make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend!😁

24/08/2026

🎭 TOMORROW AT CROMFORD MILLS! 🎭

Shakespeare, bicycles & a little bit of chaos! 🚲🌳

Join the HandleBards tomorrow for a hilariously entertaining outdoor performance of As You Like It. Their four-strong troupe travel entirely by bicycle, bringing their sets, props and costumes with them!

Expect romance, mistaken identities, wrestling and plenty of laughs in this wonderfully chaotic Shakespearean adventure. 😂

📍 Cromford Mills
📅 Tuesday 25 August 2026
⏰ 6.30pm

LOADS happening at Cromford Mills tomorrow! 🚌🐛Join us for a fun-filled family day with plenty to see and do:🔎 Bugfest – ...
19/08/2026

LOADS happening at Cromford Mills tomorrow! 🚌🐛

Join us for a fun-filled family day with plenty to see and do:

🔎 Bugfest – get up close with fascinating creepy crawlies as part of our Summer Explorers Club! There are still spaces available, so make sure you grab a place

🎪 Play Hub – head to the marquee for a range of fun family activities and creative things to keep little explorers entertained.

🚌 The Sixes Roadshow – come and see the shiny new Sixes bus as the team showcase their new fleet of buses, along with goodies, timetables and Explore Guides.

Plus, explore our historic mills, independent shops, cafés and everything else Cromford has to offer.

Make a day of it – we’ll see you tomorrow! 💚

🇯🇵 JAPAN FEST AT CROMFORD MILLS! 🇯🇵 Join us on Sunday 23 August, 11am–5pm for an awesome celebration of Japanese culture...
18/08/2026

🇯🇵 JAPAN FEST AT CROMFORD MILLS! 🇯🇵 Join us on Sunday 23 August, 11am–5pm for an awesome celebration of Japanese culture!

🥁 Live entertainment including Leicester Taiko, koto performances, J-Pop and anime favourites.

🎨 Have a go at fox mask painting, origami, Shogi and Tatakai, plus a colourful cosplay parade.

🍜 Enjoy great food including Japanese street food, Korean corn dogs, duck wraps, Thai, Malaysian and Chinese-inspired dishes, Persian street food and authentic Japanese tea.

🛍️ Plus crafts, artwork, gifts, collectibles and Japanese-inspired products from a range of traders.

📅 Sunday 23rd August | 10am–4pm
📍 Cromford Mills
🎟️ FREE ENTRY

🐛BUGFEST IS BACK AGAIN THIS THURSDAY! Missed our first Exotic Bug Handling session? Don’t worry - BugFest is back at Cro...
17/08/2026

🐛BUGFEST IS BACK AGAIN THIS THURSDAY! Missed our first Exotic Bug Handling session? Don’t worry - BugFest is back at Cromford Mills this Thursday! 🌿

Come and meet some of the world’s weirdest and most wonderful creatures, from giant millipedes and stick insects to fascinating beetles and other incredible invertebrates.

Perfect for curious young explorers, these hands-on sessions give children the chance to get up close, ask questions and discover amazing facts about bugs from around the world. 🐌🦂🪲

📅 Thursday 20th August
🕚 11am–12pm & 1pm–2pm
📍 Cromford Mills
🎟️ Limited spaces – booking essential

Part of our Summer Explorers Club, BugFest is a brilliant chance to discover just how amazing the natural world really is!

👉 Book here
https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/whats-on/bugfest-summer-explorers-club/

🛍️ MAKERS MARKET IS BACK THIS SUNDAY! Come browse a fantastic mix of artisans, makers and local producers, with plenty o...
14/08/2026

🛍️ MAKERS MARKET IS BACK THIS SUNDAY! Come browse a fantastic mix of artisans, makers and local producers, with plenty of beautifully crafted and handmade goodies to discover.

📍 Cromford Mills
🕙 10am–4pm
😄 Free entry

Address

Mill Road
Matlock
DE43RQ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

01629 823256

Website

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