Cromford
Discover Cromford
Below Matlock is the village of Cromford, surrounded by wooded slopes and dramatic cliffs. Situated at the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, Cromford is where Sir Richard Arkwright built the world’s first water-powered cotton mills, pioneering mechanisation that would go on to change the world. Visit Cromford Mills to discover the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, wander the independent shops in Cromford’s Georgian Shambles and discover the village’s traditional pubs – as well as the local jailhouse turned art gallery, The Old Lock Up.
For travel tips to the Hub locations, see our Travel Routes page.
Cromford Events
Model Mill! A Revolutions: Imagation Trains workshop
Mini worlds workshop
Wheels of Change
Weaving Workshop
Wheels of Change
Weaving Workshop
Wheels of Change
Weaving Workshop
Drumming circles with Arran Day
Riverside Zone: Fun chill-out activities by the Derwent River.
Derbyshire Makes Festival - Cromford
A joyful festival of curiosity and shared making
Art Wilding Trail. Mosaic, felting and tile workshops
Make new Art Wilding sculptures
Wheel of Fortune
Spin the wheel and hear your fortune!
The Murmuring Wheel
Traditional hand spinning display
Meet Local Arts & Creative Heritage Groups
Community arts stalls, demos and have-a-go activities with local creative people.
MakeLand
An immersive VR journey into Derbyshire’s creative landscape
Heritage Birdswood Canal Boat Trip
Step onboard for an historical narrow boat trip.
Drawn to Weave
Workshop and Display
Riverside Zone
Fun chill-out activities by the Derwent River.
Arkwright Spinsters
Display from Arkwright Spinsters of traditional spinning techniques.
Music with John Gill
Black Pig Border Morris dancers
Revolutions: Imagination Train workshops
Mini worlds workshop
Reimaging the past, present and future of Cromford Mills! Create your mini world of Cromford for our Imagation Train exhibition.
Wandering storyteller.
Circle flows with Danni Lane
Riverside Zone: Fun chill-out activities by the Derwent River.
Parade - The Giant Wheel
A moving performance inspired by the beauty, power and impact of people from different walks of life coming together
Beats and rhythms with Arran Day
Riverside Zone: Fun chill-out activities by the Derwent River.
Circle flows with Danni Lane
Riverside Zone: Fun chill-out activities by the Derwent River.
Heritage Birdswood Canal Boat Trip
Step onboard for an historical narrow boat trip.
Drumming circles with Arran Day
Riverside Zone: Fun chill-out activities by the Derwent River.
Parade - The Giant Wheel
A moving performance inspired by the beauty, power and impact of people from different walks of life coming together
Group jam with Danni Lane and Arran Day
Riverside Zone: Fun chill-out activities by the Derwent River.
Meet the Maker: Gavin Munro - Full Grown Chairs
Celebrate the people behind the making.
Meet the Maker: Derek Harbinson – Ceramics
Celebrate the people behind the making.
Meet the Maker: Peter Knight - Printmaker
Celebrate the people behind the making.
Meet the Maker: Emma Croman - Storytelling portrait and brand photography
Celebrate the people behind the making.
Meet the Maker: Alice Moylan - Beauvamp Lighting Studio
Celebrate the people behind the making.
Meet the Maker: Johnny White & Amanda Wray - Sculpture
Celebrate the people behind the making.