The historic and varied Derbyshire sites welcoming public to visit for free on Heritage Open Days (aff)

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Visitors will be able to explore historical sites in Derbyshire for free and learn about the people who lived and worked there.

Heritage Open Days will shine a light on industry, domestic life and wartime service in towns and village across Derbyshire.

And as we know, visits to the picturesque county are one of the many attractions of living in a city such as Sheffield.

With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of the historic and varied sites flinging open their doors for free for Heritage Open Days.

The National Trust’s Hardwick Estate will offer free entry to non-National Trust members and National Trust members to Hardwick Hall, its gardens and 2,500 acres of parkland on September 12 and 13. There will also be free entry into the estate's historic Stainsby Mill.

Various free activities will take place over the weekend as follows:

Stainsby Mill will be open on September 12 and 13, 2026 when the public will be able to look around the heritage property for free (photo: National Trust/Robert Morris)

September 12 – Specialist craft displays and Discover With Us craft displays with dye demonstrations between 11am and 3pm.

September 12 and 13 – Architecture tours at 11am and 1.30pm, booking essential for these free tours. Talks on Hardwick and its history take place in the West Court at the front of Hardwick Hall.

Members of the public can view Stainsby Mill on September 12 and 13, from 11am until 3pm. This will be the last chance to view Stainsby Mill this year as the site is only open a handful of days during 2026 due to conservation work.

The Bonsall Framework Knitters' Workshop has sat largely vacant for over 100 years, resulting in the building falling into disrepair. Grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Historic Houses Foundation has enabled the building to be restored to allow framework knitting to be reintroduced into the village. A reopening weekend on September 19 and 20, from 10am until 4pm, will enable visitor to explore the building, listen to history talks about the workshop and framework knitting and experience a live demonstration of the craft on a late 18th century knitting frame that will be permanently housed in the workshop.

North Lees Hall in Hathersage is believed to have inspired Mr Rochester's residence in Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre (photo: Phil Sproson Photography)

Terrace cottages, built at North Street, Cromford to house workers at Richard Arkwright’s water-powered cotton mills 250 years ago, are now recognised as the world’s first purpose-built industrial housing. The Landmark Trust is offering a rare opportunity explore one of these historic homes, which includes steep staircases, on September 19 and 20 from 10am until 4pm.

Beeley Village Hall is celebrating its centenary and will be welcoming members of the public on September 19 and 20, from 11am until 4pm. There will be photographs of soldiers from Beeley who took part in the Great War, a display of artwork by Chris Boyce, who has researched the houses in the village and their inhabitants, and an exhbibition of work to bring an orchard back to life.

Bakewell Old House Museum, a 500-year-old time capsule, is offering free admission on two Sundays – September 13 and 20, from 11am until 4pm. Built as a tithe house in 1532, it is the oldest residence in the town. The museum is currently housing a special exhibition of more than 30 doll’s houses and various minatures from down the years.

On both of these Sundays, from 2pm until 4pm, there is also an opportunity to visit the bell tower at Bakewell Parish Church. Climb the 58 steps to the ringing chamber to see the 1813 turret clock, how the eight bells are rung and the magnificent view of Bakewell. The tower of the church is only open to the public during Heritage Open Days.

If you’re in Bakewell on September 19 or 20, have a look at the Friends Meeting House on Chapel Lane which will be open between 2pm and 4pm. There will be an exhibition about the early history of Quakers and of the history of the Meeting House.

Literary fans should visit North Lees Hall in Hathersage, believed to be the inspiration for Thornfield Hall, the home of Mr Rochester, in Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre. The 16th century hall will be open to the public on September 20, from 11am until 3pm.

For more sites in Derbyshire that have signed up to Heritage Open Days, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on/printable-area-lists/derbyshire.html