GEORGIAN DERBYSHIRE FESTIVAL 2022
Derbyshire in the Georgian Era was a place of wonder, of surprises and innovations – a place which attracted the attention of the rich and provided better homes for workers.
In the valley of the River Derwent, water was put to work to power the world’s first factories. Further north, the stark, beautiful landscapes of the Peak District and health-giving waters brought the county’s first tourists to Buxton and Matlock Bath.
To celebrate this fascinating era, the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership and the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust are working together to provide three days of public events and activities to raise the profile of Derbyshire’s contribution to world history at that time.
The first Georgian Derbyshire Festival runs from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 September. Each of the three days will have a different theme related to Derbyshire in Georgian times – for 2022 these themes are water, architecture, and society.
In the World Heritage Site, each day’s activities will be in one area of the 15-mile long stretch of valley – with architecture-related events in Derby and Darley Abbey on the Friday, water-based activities in Belper on the Saturday and society-themed things to do in Cromford on the Sunday.
Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust will host activities on all three days in the Pump Room, the Assembly Rooms in the Crescent and walking tours within the town centre, with an exhibition at the nearby Buxton Museum and Art Gallery on each day.
Cromford Mills (18th September):
Costumed Tours 11am and 2pm
Join the Mill Manager and step back in time to 1797 when he was running the world’s first successful water-powered mill.
£12.50 per adult.
Time Traveller’s Tours
12.30 and 3pm
A tour for the young, and the young at heart. Come and learn about the history of the mill through games and challenges (you can get dressed up too if you want!). Do you have what it takes to be a master mill worker? Tours last approx. 45 minutes, including a visit to the Arkwright Experience. Please dress for being outside and wear clothes and shoes you can move comfortably in. Suitable for 3+. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £15 per family, max 5 people per family.
12.30pm tour – book here: www.wegottickets.com/event/554146/
3pm tour – book here: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/554147/
Talk at the Gothic Warehouse, 5 – 6.30pm
Join us for two talks: ‘Georgian Visitors to Buxton’ (Peter Collinge) and ‘The Children of the Industrial Revolution’ (Philip Parkin). Free of charge but donations welcome.
© Cromford Mills 2023
