Darley Abbey Village and Mills

Darley Abbey, Derby, Derbyshire
Tel: 01332 255061

Part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. During the 17th Century Darley Abbey became established as an industrial hamlet. By 1730 there were four separate water-powered mills. Today, the historical significance of Darley Abbey lies in the continued existence of the principal elements of the late 18th to early 19th century factory village that was developed by Thomas Evans (1723 - 1814). From around 1790, neat terraces of workers' houses were developed. the Four Houses in Mile Ash Lane, built by 1792, are the earliest known survivor of the cluster house type. Attached or adjacent to the houses were yards, allotments and outbuildings, including pigsties. The housing was innovative, being served by one of the country's first sewage disposal systems .
The Boar's Head Cotton Mill was founded by Thomas Evans on the east bank of the Derwent in 1782. It was one of the most important industrial enterprises of its time. The entire mill complex as we see it today - comprising five main mills and a series of dyeing and drying sheds, offices, stabling and domestic buildings - was completed by the 1830s.

Heage Windmill

Chesterfield Road, Heage, Derbyshire, DE56 2BH
Web: www.heagewindmill.co.uk

Built in 1797 and restored in 2002 Heage Windmill, a Grade II listed building, is the only working, stone-towered, multi-sailed windmill in England. She is set in the Derbyshire countryside, providing spectacular views towards the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Car parking space is available on site with wheelchair access to the Interpretation Centre, shop, toilets and the ground floor of the mill. Not all areas are guide dog friendly e.g. up the ladder type stairs to the top two floors of the mill. The adjacent drying kiln has been rebuilt and provides the Visitor Centre & shop selling souvenirs, flour and light refreshments. There are hands on activities for children. Groups are welcome by prior arrangement and dogs are admitted on a lead but are not allowed in the mill. Flour milling may take place when the wind is favourable. Look out for the many special events throughout the year. For further information (Weekends and Bank Holidays) telephone 01773 853579, when the mill is closed telephone 01773 853136.

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DERBY CATHEDRAL

Iron Gate, Derby
Tel: 01332 341201    Fax: 01332 203991
E-mail: office@derbycathedral.org
Award winning cafeteria serving light refreshments and lunches will comfortably accommodate up to 40 people.

The magnificent medieval tower, the second highest church tower in the country, contains the oldest ring of ten bells in the world, and is open to the public on selected days throughout the year. The Cathedral itself is surprisingly light and airy with elegant features including the world-famous wrought iron screen by Robert Bakewell, Bess of Hardwick's ornate memorial, the Cavendish brasses, including those of Bess, Henry Cavendish, the Cambridge scientist and Georgiana, the notorious Fifth Duchess, St Katharine's Chapel and much more. Come and see for yourselves! Derby Cathedral warmly welcomes both able-bodied and disabled visitors, individuals and groups of all ages. Advance notice helps us improve our welcome for wheelchair users and groups. The main building has level access almost throughout, with a lift to the disabled toilet.

ST MARY'S BRIDGE CHAPEL

Chapel of St Mary-on-the-Bridge, Sowter Road, Derby, DE1 3AT
Tel: 01332 341201
E-mail: visitors@derbycathedral.org

The Bridge Chapel, one of Derby's treasures, is a truly historic building. It is one of the few remaining such chapels in the country and records of its existence go back to the beginning of the 14th century. In days gone by, travellers leaving Derby would call at the Chapel to pray before setting out on a hazardous journey into the countryside beyond. The Chapel has seen many changes over the centuries and since the Reformation has been, at various times, a Presbyterian meeting room, a couple of cottages, a prison and a carpenter's workshop. Particularly worth seeing, apart from the building itself, are the modern stained glass windows, the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, the Ronald Pope altar and the icon of St Michael. In 1588, at the time of the Spanish Armada, the Padley Martyrs spent their last night there before being hanged, drawn and quartered. Their remains were then displayed at the Chapel entrance as a warning to others. By the 1920's the Chapel was in ruins, but in 1930 it was restored thanks to the Haslam family. Since 1932 the Chapel has been in regular use as a place of worship under the care of the Cathedral.

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KEDLESTON HALL

Quarndon, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 5JH
Tel: 01332 842191
E-mail: kedlestonhall@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kedleston

Our 18 century housekeeper Mrs Garnett still welcomes visitors in the Marble Hall (on most open days) and you can see the most completed and least altered sequence of Adam interiors in the country on the State Floor, designed for lavish entertaining and displaying a magnificent collection of paintings and sculpture. Downstairs you can discover the Eastern Museum, full of fascinating objects collected by Lord Curzon on his travels in Asia and while he was Viceroy of India (1899-1905). Four different walks allow visitors to explore the 800 acre park, while the garden has been restored to an 18 century pleasure ground, much as it was when designed by Robert Adam.

Opening Times:
11 March - 31 October 2008: Hall 12 noon - 5pm Last entry 4.15 Sat - Weds only. Shop & Restaurant 11am - 5pm Sat - Weds only. Park & Garden - 10am - 6pm daily.
1 November 2008 – 27 February 2009: Park 10am - 4pm daily, Shop & Restaurant 11 noon - 3pm Sat/Sun only, Hall & Garden closed.

The Old Manor

Norbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 2ED
Tel: 01909 486411
E-mail: oldmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk

Elvaston Castle Country Park

Borrowash Road, Elvaston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE72 3EP
Tel: 01332 573799

This beautiful 200 acre park was landscaped in the 19th century. The historic garden was neglected for many years but was rescued 30 years ago by Derbyshire County Council. Today there is a formal Italian garden with a parterre, wide herbaceous borders, clipped yews and a lake. The old walled garden, renamed the 'Old English Garden', contains herbaceous borders, a herb garden and a rose garden. The fine topiary and many evergreen trees make a visit to Elvaston enjoyable in the winter as well as the summer.

Catton Hall

Catton, Walton on Trent, Swadlincote, Derbyshire

Georgian House built in 1745 by Smith of Warwick is surrounded by an estate bought by ancestors of the present owners in 1405. Contains most of its original collection of fine 17th and 18th century pictures, furniture and memorabilia. Gardens and private chapel.

Melbourne Hall

Church Square, Melbourne, Derby, Derbyshire, DE73 1EN
Tel: 01332 862502    Fax: 01332 862263
E-mail: melbhall@globalnet.co.uk

An historic house and garden. Once the home of Prime Minister William Lamb who as Lord Melbourne gave his name to the Australian city. A wonderful formal garden with Yew tunnel and Bakewell’s wrought iron arbour.