Heritage Open Days Festival – Heritage Skills Day

Description

Welcome to our Heritage Skills Day at Cromford Mills. Join us in the Mill Yard on Saturday 19th September, 2026 from 10am-4pm for a day filled with heritage building crafts and conservation activities. From Blacksmiths to Dry Stone Wallers, visitors will have the chance to watch demonstrations, learn from experienced craftspeople, and appreciate the importance of these time-honoured traditions in preserving Derbyshire’s unique landscape.

This event, which has been made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will showcase a vibrant array of traditional skills and offers a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating history of Cromford Mills and the surrounding area of Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Additional Events: Learn more about Cromford’s heritage buildings with the ‘1776: When the Threads Came Together’ exhibition at Cromford Mills over the weekend, and don’t miss the opportunity to step inside the workers’ cottages on North Street. The Landmark Trust is offering a rare opportunity to explore one of these historic homes and discover daily life for mill workers in the early factory system that transformed how people lived and worked. See the Landmark Trust’s website for bookings and further information.

Return to the Mill on Sunday 20th September for a special afternoon of music, featuring the Derby Cathedral Choir and culminating in a beautiful service of Evensong at St Mary’s Church. See the Cromford Mills website for further information.