Derbyshire Makes | Cromford

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.

Row of three-storey reddy brown mill buildings with dark green painted doors and a courtyard.
Cromford Mills. Photo Helen Palmer
Two sets of hands, one younger than the other, holding a piece of wood and metal. One hand is drawing on the wooden cube with a yellow pencil
The Makory, Wirksworth Arts Festival 2024. Photo Richard Tymon
Water cascading down a tiered waterway with a bridge to one side in front of two large red brick mill buildings
Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Cromford, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
Hands sewing with pattern information and threads positioned on a table
Photo Sue Reddish
Row of three-storey reddy brown mill buildings with dark green painted doors and a courtyard.
Cromford Mills. Photo Helen Palmer
Two sets of hands, one younger than the other, holding a piece of wood and metal. One hand is drawing on the wooden cube with a yellow pencil
The Makory, Wirksworth Arts Festival 2024. Photo Richard Tymon
Water cascading down a tiered waterway with a bridge to one side in front of two large red brick mill buildings
Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Cromford, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
Hands sewing with pattern information and threads positioned on a table
Photo Sue Reddish

Cromford Events

Arts Workshops
Cromford Banner making Heritage crafts Textiles Workshop
Sat 05 April - Fri 11 April 2025
11:00am - 3:00pm

Arts Workshops

Join our resident artists in the school room at Cromford Mills to help them create a huge banner which will be part of the festival weekend
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Derbyshire Makes Festival - Cromford
Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Cromford, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
Cromford Workshop Performance Storytelling
Sat 12 April - Sun 13 April 2025
10:30am - 4:00pm

Derbyshire Makes Festival - Cromford

Events inspired by water and local folklore in Cromford
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Adverse Camber storytelling
Ann Jones and Pyn Stockman, Adverse Camber
Cromford Storytelling Music
Sat 12 April - Sun 13 April 2025
10:30am - 4:00pm

Adverse Camber storytelling

Sharing stories with roots in local folklore
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Dare to Dream workshops
Threadmill, High Peak. Photo Richard Tymon
Cromford Dare to Dream Textiles Workshop
Saturday 12 April 10.30am - 4.00pm
Sunday 13 April 10.30am - 4.00pm

Dare to Dream workshops

Be part of a monumental artwork celebrating Derbyshire's textiles heritage
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Easter activities at Cromford Mills
Cromford Heritage crafts Workshop
Mon 14 April - Mon 21 April 2025
11:00am - 3:00pm

Easter activities at Cromford Mills

Join artist Netty Reddish to get crafting
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