Derwent Mills Cottages

18/03/2025

It’s something rather special…

Hi, My name is Barry and here's our story... In 2012 we plan… Barry Lewis needs your support for Rewilding Orchards: The Amber Valley Agroforestry Project

21/06/2023

Tomorrow night…

24/05/2023

This Saturday! 10am till 4pm…

21/05/2023

On the face of it it’s quite a dull set of photos but, to us leastways, it’s not.

Here is the finished repointed stone work at the back of Strutt & Frith Cottages. It looks beautiful, really highlighting the stone work and it also means the horrid strap pointing has been removed and the stone will suffer less erosion. I’ve included some working shots too (but see earlier post).

Next job is the inside of Strutt Will be lime plastered this winter and a new kitchen fitted.

19/05/2023

A Time long before Strutt & Frith cottages…

09/05/2023

An incredible dining experience…

07/05/2023

It has been awhile since we last posted anything here, so apologies for that. We really should post more and since we have something to tell you, now is as good a time as any.

We’re beginning a 2-year conservation and investment programme on our two cottages in Belper, recently the gardens had a tidy-up and some repairs, in preparation for a new patio and steps being installed in Strutt Cottage over the summer.

Currently, a conservation specialist is repointing the back walls of both Frith & Strutt Cottages with lime mortar, a slow, painstaking and careful process to ensure it takes properly and lasts for centuries. All the old Portland cement strap pointing, which as well as looking ugly actually accelerates stone deterioration (it’s harder than the stone!) and creates damp problems, was stripped out first. As you can see in the photos hessian sheets control sun exposure and moisture levels to ensure it cures properly before the final finishing. Next summer both the fronts will be done.

Over this coming winter Strutt Cottage will be lime plastered and redecorated internally and a new kitchen fitted. The following winter Frith Cottage will undergo a similar process.

Now over 200 years old, nestled within the heart of the World Heritage Site, our cottages have seen so much local history. Now, we can ensure their survival for the next 2 centuries, and ensure these gems are raising their game to new levels of luxury, whilst also being beautifully conserved.

27/05/2022

Tomorrow!

It’s tomorrow! Weather is set fair!

If you haven’t booked your parking then please park considerately in the village and walk the 5mins to us we’ve got 30 great stalls selling great food and drink too! Including amazing hot coffee, cakes and cookies and of course wine, cider and ale! Free entry as always!

25/05/2022

And we’re in the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills Workd Heritage Site with our lovely cottages in the Conservation Area of Belper…

28/08/2020

Tomorrow and the weather looks fair!

12/08/2020

Wessington Orchard Farmers Market Derbyshire. England's loveliest farmers market?

17/07/2020