A tour of Lichfield Cathedral Close

The Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust run the electric riverboat “Outram” on a 45 minute cruise from Derby city centre towards Darley Abbey, along a stretch of the River Derwent that once lined with industry. The boat only takes 12 passengers, so we have booked it for two trips, giving members a choice of dates. Meet 2.00pm at the Phoenix Green Boat Station on the East Bank of the river in central Derby (postcode DE1 2EB). The river can be crossed on foot from the city centre via the Millennium footbridge near the UK Museum of Making. Please note that boarding the boat is via a swimming pool style ladder.

12 places available on each date - £10 per person

Organised by the Industrial Archaeology Section

A walk and talk in Whitwell Wood to look at the lumps and bumps that still exist from various points in time.  From mediaeval wood banks to boundary stones to Roman building remains and a large enclosure.  Walking around 3 miles should allow us to see everything on that list.  If it rains it may be muddy.  To see everything we will leave the path so be prepared for some walking on rough ground. Meet in Whitwell Wood Layby, Clinthill Lane, Worksop. S80 3EE. what3words location is ///adopt.cobras.glance.

18 places available - £5 per person

Organised by the Archaeological Research Group

This visit is in two parts, a morning tour led by Mike Kirton of Southwell History Society and an afternoon tour led by Dr Stephen Rodgers leader of Southwell Archaeological Group. You can book  for either one or both of the tours. There will be time between the tours for lunch at a variety of eating places in the town. Please note neither visit includes the National Trust Workhouse or Southwell Minster, both of these have their own guides.

Both tours start at the North door of Southwell Minster, Church Street, Southwell NG25 OHD. There is car park just slightly down the road on the opposite side of Church Street, NG25 0HQ.

Morning tour (history) meet at 10.30am
12 places available - £7 per person

 Afternoon tour (archaeology) meet at 2.15pm
15 places available - £5 per person.

A guided tour of the Georgian style country house, Melbourne Hall, and its gardens.  The Hall was previously owned by William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, British Prime Minister from 1835 to 1841 and now the home of Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr.  Lord Ralph is a direct descendant of Sir John Coke who made Melbourne his home in 1629. The Hall is Grade II* listed and  many features in the grounds are Grade I listed.

18 places available - £18.00 per person

Organised by the Local History Section

Aqueduct Cottage was built about 1802 by landowner and industrialist Peter Nightingale as a lock keeper’s cottage alongside the Cromford Canal at the junction with the canal arm to his factories at Lea Bridge. The building is now owned by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust who manage the adjacent Lea Wood Nature Reserve. On this visit we will hear about the history of the cottage and see the results of the recent restoration project from volunteers who were involved.

Access is from the Cromford Canal towpath. The nearest car park is at High Peak Junction off Lea Road DE4 5AE – from here you cross the River Derwent to the canal and turn left on the towpath – 10 minutes walk. By public transport, it is a 2 mile walk along the canal from either Cromford or Whatstandwell station, or Transpeak Bus leaving  dropping off adjacent to High Peak Junction on the A6.

20 places available - £5.00 per person.

Organised by the Industrial Archaeology Section.

Belper North Mill, also known as Strutt’s North Mill, is one of the Derwent Valley Mills which was given UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2001.  The Mill in Belper played a vital role in the UK’s Industrial Revolution and is of architectural and historic importance.  Lasting about 1 hour 15 minutes, join the knowledgeable guide who will take you on an external tour of the Belper Mills site, with an exclusive trip into the North Mill basement. (There are steps to the basement & also it could be chilly).

There are two car parks, one at the front of the North Mill, and the other at the back. The address is Bridgefoot, Belper DE56 1YD. If you park at the back, please avoid parking in any spaces that say 'reserved for the Fit Pit'. Buses between Derby and Matlock pass the mill, and Belper railway station is about 10 minutes walk.

15 places available - £9.00 per person.

Organised by the Local History Section

Darley Abbey Mills is large cotton factory complex established by the Evans family in 1792. It was continuously remodelled and enlarged right up to the late 20th century. It traded under the name of Boars Head Mills. The Evans family also provided housing and other services for their workers. The tour will be led by Anthony Attwood whose family has been connected with the mills for decades and under whose management they have been gradually restored and developed into a thriving part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site occupied by a wide diversity of businesses.

Please note that this visit is around the outside of the mills only as the premises themselves are tenanted. Meet in the main mill car park at 6pm, postcode DE22 1DZ.

20 places available - no charge but please book via Eventbrite.

Organised by the Architecture Section.