Derbyshire Makes Festival - Cromford

Cromford’s free, hands-on celebration is inspired by wheels: water wheels, spinning wheels, dance wheels and the creative ideas that keep this place moving. Based at Cromford Mills, with more events taking place across Cromford village, Aqueduct Cottage and Masson Mills, this is a chance to get involved and try something new.

Wander welcoming stalls where local community arts groups will be hosting demonstrations, displays and plenty of have-a-go activities. Try weaving, printmaking, spinning, ceramics or letterpress, chat to makers and discover new skills.

At Aqueduct Cottage, Forest School activities bring the creative fun outdoors, with bushcraft and nature-based making for all ages – from sculpting clay faces and creating mini well dressings to mallet making.

Over at Masson Mills, heritage springs into action: see moving machinery, explore textile traditions, join drop-in workshops and enjoy playful performances. Follow the Art Wilding Trail to discover three new sculptural artworks dotted throughout Cromford village and take part in creative-led walks. There will be displays from the Wheel of Fortune and imagined mini worlds, to the striking Giant Dance Wheel – as well as music, poetry, movement and mini train rides by the river.

Join us for a joyful festival of curiosity and shared making – free, open to all and made by the community it celebrates.

Programmed by The Arkwright Society.