Cromford Open Gardens

Please note This event ran in 2025 but we don't yet have this year's details. When we get them, we'll add them, but in the meantime we include below event information from last year to remind you about the event.

Cromford, near Matlock, Derbyshire Peak District
Sunday 6th July 2025
12.00noon to 5.00pm

Visitors to Cromford events - Celebrating Cromford weekend festival, Apple Day and Open Gardens - often tell us that they have passed through many times but never before stopped.

Beyond the historic stone frontages of Arkwright’s mill village are the hidden garden plots which every cottage was allotted and several near-mountainous gardens on the sites of 1960s demolitions. Higher up, more modern houses enjoy stunning views across the valleys of Cromford and the River Derwent, encircled by woodland, rocky outcrops and the 1000ft moors of the Peak District.

This year four hillside gardens in lower Cromford are reopening after a rest and two new openers have been added. The mountain railway in Garden 2 has been extended and idiosyncratic Garden 1 opens from ‘upstairs’. There are fewer highland gardens than last year, but still scrumptious refreshments and minibus lifts to the heights.

Some of Cromford’s eccentrics await you in their gardens and you may also be following in the steps of Lord Byron as well as Sir Richard Arkwright and D.H.Lawrence. Before or after the garden ramble you can visit Cromford’s several outstanding independent shops or patronise a pub, cafe or restaurant.

Wander as you wish, or follow our suggested route involving two stiles - stout footwear is recommended.

Proceeds:  Proceeds go towards village charities and events.

Plant sales:  Plant sales and artwork at some gardens.

Cost:  £5.00 per adult, accompanied children free.

How to get tickets / programmes:  Tickets and leaflets from a stall in front of the Community Centre in the Market Place.

Contact the organisers:  Phone: 07539 683 907  Email: davescarthin@gmail.com  

Toilet Facilities:  Toilets are available at this event.

Directions / Parking:  Cromford is on the A6 Derby to Manchester road with limited parking in the village centre but lots of spaces (small charges) at Cromford Meadows and Canal Wharf (turn east at the traffic-light crossroads). Then take the riverside walk past the church back to the crossroads and Market Place. There is direct rail to our station from Nottingham, Belper and Derby and there are direct buses from Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby and Buxton.

Location:  Derbyshire.  Use Sat Nav postcode: DE4 3RQ (please verify before travelling)

Please ... tell the organisers that you found them on the Open Gardens National Directory.