Derbyshire Countryside Events Calendar 2019

Here is the 2019 calendar for Derbyshire County Council’s Countryside Events.  These are events where you can access the history and nature of Derbyshire.

EASTER SATURDAY 20 APRIL, SUNDAY 21 APRIL and MONDAY 22 APRIL 11am-3pm.

HIGH PEAK JUNCTION RAILWAY WORKSHOPS OPEN DAYS

Entry to these historic railway workshops and the use of the fascinating Audio Tour are FREE.

Just on Saturday 20 APRIL: Have a go at being a blacksmith on the historic forge and make a poker to take home and keep. Cost: £10 per poker. Meet: High Peak Junction, DE4 5AA

MIDDLETON TOP ENGINE HOUSE OPEN DAYS

Starts: EASTER SUNDAY 21 and MONDAY 22 APRIL 1pm-4.30pm

Middleton Top Engine House additional Open Days at the following time: 1pm-4.30pm

• Sunday 5 & Monday 6 May
• Sunday 26 & Monday 27 May
• Sunday 2 June
• Sunday 7 July
• Sunday 21 July
• Sunday 28 July
• Sunday 4 August
• Sunday 11 August
• Sunday 18 August
• Sunday 25 August
• Monday 26 August
• Sunday 15 September *Heritage Open Day
• Sunday 6 October

This is a chance to see the world’s oldest railway winding engine in action. Learn how this early railway was commissioned in the days before Stephenson’s Rocket. The magnificent beam engine was built in 1829 and hauled waggons up the steep incline. Cost: £2.80 adults, £1.35 concessions. Please see brochure or http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/ for other open days.

Meet: Middleton Top, DE4 4LS. Please check before visiting as structural repairs are needed on the boiler house

EASTER SUNDAY 21 and MONDAY 22 APRIL 11am and 2pm

HORSE DRAWN CANAL TRIPS

A Traditional Shire cross horse, Ted and staff in traditional costume will cruise you to see Leawood Pump in Steam. Departures 11am and 2pm. See Birdswood website for further details, charges and to book. www.birdswood.org Meet: Cromford Wharf, DE4 3RP. BOOKING ESSENTIAL

LEAWOOD PUMP HOUSE OPEN DAYS

Starts: EASTER SUNDAY 21 and MONDAY 22 APRIL 12pm-4.30pm

Leawood Pump House additional Open Days at the following time: 12pm-4.30pm

• Sunday 5 May & Monday 6 May
• Saturday 1 June (Static)
• Sunday 2 June
• Saturday 6 July (Static)
• Sunday 7 July
• Saturday 3 August (Static)
• Sunday 4 August
• Sunday 25 & Monday 26 August
• Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 September
• Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 October
• Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 November

Experience the power of this great steam engine. The heat of the boilers, the smell of the grease and coal and the power of the wave as tons of water are pumped from the River Derwent to the Cromford Canal. Directions: Park at High Peak Junction car park, signed form Cromford, or enjoy a pleasant walk of just over a mile along the canal from Cromford Wharf. Parking charges apply.

Charges: FREE but donations are gratefully received.

SATURDAY 25 MAY – SUNDAY 2 JUNE

WILDLIFE NATURE TRAIL

Follow the photo trail and discover the fantastic facts about the wildlife of Cromford Canal. There will be a well dressing celebrating the spring that fed the Cromford and High Peak Railway and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust will be running fun environmental activities on 1 & 2 June. Cost: FREE. Length: 0.75 miles, Meet: High Peak Junction, DE4 5AA

FRIDAY 25 MAY to TUESDAY 23 JULY

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

Competition open to all non-professional photographers. Categories: High Peak Trail or Cromford Canal. Entries will be displayed at High Peak Junction Visitor Centre from 14 to 18 August and will be open to public vote. Full terms and conditions will be available from our Visitor Centres.

SATURDAY 8 – SUNDAY 16 JUNE

CYCLE HIRE HOGOF PROMOTION

Visit Middleton Top Cycle Hire Centre during National Bike Week and you can Hire One Get One Free. A fantastic offer to get you exploring the beautiful High Peak Trail. In June pedal through the countryside while it blooms with wild flowers and herbs. Meet: Middleton Top. Length: 17.5 miles of beautiful traffic free trails to explore. Information and booking: Middleton Top 01629 533294, DE4 4LS Cost: From £10.50 child, £14.80 adult for 2 bikes. Cheapest hire free.

SATURDAY 20 JULY to SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 11am-4pm. Turn up any time.

EXPLORE AND DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES FOR THE SCHOOL SUMMER HOLIDAYS

• Runaway Train Treasure Hunt around High Peak Junction. Follow the trail and be amazed by the history of run-away trains and the oldest railway toilet in the world. Pick up a trail pack from the Visitor Centre. Cost: £1 per child. Meet: High Peak Junction, DE4 5AA

• Mini-Beast Safari at Middleton Top. Collect your bug catching pots, nets and insect identification cards from the Visitor Centre then stalk spiders and go hunt a grasshopper. Cost: £1 per child. Meet: Middleton Top, DE4 4LS

FOREST FUN THURSDAYS AT CROMFORD WHARF 1, 8, 15, & 22 & 29 AUGUST

2 Sessions each day 10am-12noon, 1pm-3pm.

Children’s activities including skills on bushcraft, firecraft and den building etc. Materials provided. Cost: FREE. Parking charges apply.

Location: Sat Nav DE4 3RP. These activities are led by an independent instructor.

Email: derbyshireoutdoors@gmail.com

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: Contact: Row Spencer on 07764 511463

SUNDAY 4 AUGUST 12noon and 2pm HIGH PEAK JUNCTION SOUND COLLAGE

Join recording artist Jay Dean in the historic railway workshops to experience a new sound composition. Immerse yourself in sounds inspired by the heritage and surroundings of the workshops in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site. Cost: FREE. Meet: High Peak Junction, DE4 5AA

Proud to be a Great Place Scheme.

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER to SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 11am-3pm. HIGH PEAK JUNCTION.

A Countrywide festival with many venues open for FREE. Visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk for details. FREE entry to our historic railway workshops and use of the fascinating Audio Tour to hear about one of the World’s first railways. Meet: High Peak Junction, DE4 5AA

SATURDAY 21 and SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 10am-5pm. Turn up any time.

CROMFORD HARVEST WEEKEND

Enjoy autumn activities in the mill yard, follow the scarecrow trail or the historic narrow boat ‘Birdswood’ will lead you along the Cromford Canal to picturesque High Peak Junction from Cromford Wharf. Meet: Cromford Wharf, DE4 3RP.

HERITAGE OPEN DAY SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 1pm-4.30pm MIDDLETON TOP ENGINE HOUSE

This magnificent operating beam engine brings history to life. FREE entry as part of a nationwide heritage celebration, donations gratefully received. Meet: Middleton Top, DE4 4LS

DISCOVERY DAYS IN THE DERWENT VALLEY – HIGH PEAK JUNCTION OPEN DAYS

SATURDAY 2 and SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER 11am-3pm. Turn up any time.

Visit one of the oldest railway workshops in the world. You will be able to learn about the fascinating history of the building and the industry it served. Have a go at being a blacksmith on the historic forge and make a poker to take home and keep. Cost: FREE workshop entry and FREE audio tour. Cost: £10 per poker. Meet: High Peak Junction, DE4 5AA

Photo: High Peak Junction Workshops By Steve Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0