Melbourne Hall & Gardens

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.