Everyday Histories at Cromford: North Street Open Days

Come and celebrate 250 years of industrial transformation in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Explore the Workers Housing on North Street with the Landmark Trust

2026 marks 250 years of the housing on North Street, Cromford. These houses were the first industrial housing in the world! The Landmark Trust are offering a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore one of these wonderful terrace cottages and explore daily life of the mill workers. Built to house workers at Richard Arkwright’s neighbouring water-powered cotton mills, these are a key part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The factory system introduced by Arkwright pioneered mass production and changed how people lived and worked forever.

The house has three floors; ground floor kitchen and living, first floor sleeping and an attic where the framework knitting would have been carried out by the men purchasing spun cotton yarn from the mills where the women and children worked. The houses have steep stairs and a small garden and allotment space, designed for the workers to supplement their diets with fresh vegetables. 

Open Day entry

Due to the historic nature of our buildings we have a limited capacity for our Open Day events. North Street is a small property with narrow stairs. You may therefore be asked to wait a short time while other visitors finish their visit. Whilst booking is not essential, priority will be given to those who have booked in advance. Thank you for your co-operation.

Making a donation to Landmark 

The Landmark Trust is a building conservation charity that relies on donations to support its work. Over the past 60 years, public support has helped us rescue over 200 historic buildings and make them available for all to experience and enjoy. Your support by attending our events, booking a workshop, and making a donation allows us to continue to save buildings at risk and continue to maintain those already in our care. Donations can be made when you book your Eventbrite ticket, at the event via contactless donation points, or after your visit via our website under Support.

Tour Cromford Village

Costumed mill workers will be your guides for an exploration of Cromford village. Explore what life would be like in this village as it developed from a small hamlet to a thriving village with workers coming to work at Arkwright’s Cromford Mills. There’s chance to see how the water was engineered to serve the mills all year round despite freezing and drought at the ‘Bear Pit’ in the village, opportunity to explore the village ‘Lock Up’ for dealing with local criminals and see the pubs, hotels, housing, market place and facilities that Arkwright developed to create the first mill community. 

Tour times to be finalised. 

Explore Cromford Primary School

Saturday 19 September only, 10am – 1pm

Cromford Primary School was built in 1832 – 1833 by Richard Arkwright Junior to educate the children working in his cotton mills. On Saturday 19 September, 10am – 1pm there’s chance to go inside the school hall. There will be opportunity to purchase cakes and refreshments and chance to view some of the creative work the children have done to explore the rich history of their community and celebrate 25 years of being part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Behind the scenes at Cromford Mills

250 years since Arkwright’s 2nd Mill: Special for Heritage Open Days there’s chance to explore ‘behind the scenes’ at Cromford Mills. Find out about the daily life of the mill workers and discover how the site has been water-powered for 255 years! You’ll have chance to see the remains of Arkwright’s second mill on site which is 250 years old this year. Although only the foundations and wheel pit survive this layout and format of mills became the ‘template’ of efficiency and mass production that was copied around the world. There’s chance to explore the visitor centre and see Arkwright’s water frame and explore the interconnected lives of people around the world from the enslaved cotton workers in the Americas, to the families working in the mills. You can get behind the scenes to find out what’s happening with the redevelopment of Building 1 on site. 

Getting here

By car: Cromford stands on the A6, 17 miles north of Derby. It is within easy reach of the M1 – about 20 minutes. Satnav – please use postcode DE4 3RQ.

By train: there is a regular service between Derby and Matlock which stops at Cromford. The trains are operated by East Midlands Trains. Train times can be consulted on their website. Show your valid train ticket and get 10% off at Arkwright’s café.

By bus: there are two services from Derby, the TransPeak and the 6.1, both operated by Trent Barton, Telephone: 01773 712265. Full bus information and timetable is available on their website. Show your valid bus ticket and get 10% off at Arkwright’s café.

More information at: ‘Getting There’.

What3words: ferrying.paying.quits (Landmark House) 

Parking

In consideration of residents please do not park on North Street. Car parking is available at Cromford Mills, Cromford Wharf (by the Cromford Canal) and in front of the Greyhound Hotel in the village centre. Parking is also available at nearby Masson Mills (Arkwright’s second mill complex) which has a working textile museum worth exploring.

Food, drink and shopping

Cromford village has a range of pubs, cafes and shops to explore. Cromford Mills also have a café in the mill yard and on Cromford Wharf at the start of the Cromford Canal as well as a range of shops and antiques.

Local walks

Why not take a walk along the Cromford Canal, just one mile along the tow path are the world’s oldest railway workshops at High Peak Junction, Leawood Pumphouse built to move water into the canal from the River Derwent and Aqueduct Cottage a beautifully restored cottage on the Canal side. 

Accessibility

North Street is a small property with steep stairs and steps between levels, that may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. Unfortunately, there is no disabled parking available at this property. 

Mobility Scooter ‘trampers’ are available to hire from Cromford Mills and High Peak Junction.

Public toilets are available at Cromford Mills. Registered assistance dogs only will be admitted to the Landmark property.