Visit South Derbyshire

14/09/2026

🎨 Melbourne Festival is taking place this weekend!

What an amazing collective of talented artists, bringing together an incredible variety of artwork for everyone to discover and enjoy.

Explore Melbourne’s beautiful streets, meet the artists, admire their creativity and perhaps find a unique piece to take home. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate art, talent and the local community.

Make a day of it and enjoy everything Melbourne has to offer! 🎨🖌️

13/09/2026

🤩 WOW – what an unbelievable day it was at Swad Heritage Fest yesterday! It just goes to show how steeped in history Swadlincote is, and just how a community comes together to celebrate it.

The South Derbyshire Visitor Information Centre also had a visitor, they were honoured to welcome Chris Clarke from the Sir Nigel Gresley Society, who came to view the Sir Nigel Gresley exhibition. 🚂 Not seen it yourself yet? Come along until the end of September to learn more about Sir Nigel himself!

So, what’s next for Heritage Open Days in South Derbyshire?

⛪ Today, 12 noon–4pm
Discover Everyday Lives and More Curiosities at St Wilfrid’s Church, Barrow upon Trent.

🏛️ Saturday 19 September
Enjoy free entry to Calke Abbey. The parkland opens from 8am, the gardens from 9am and the house from 11am.

⛪ Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
Explore St Mary’s Church in Marston on Dove and discover displays from Hilton and Marston History Society.

⚰️ Sunday 20 September at 12 noon
Join a guided walk exploring the notable graves of Church Gresley Cemetery. Places are limited and must be booked in advance.

There is still plenty of South Derbyshire’s fascinating heritage waiting to be discovered—and Heritage Open Days events are FREE!

View the Heritage Open Days booklet here 👇

https://issuu.com/southderbysdc/docs/heritage_open_day_booklet_2_-_reload

Dive into our extensive resources on the topic that interests you. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace.

12/09/2026

Sharpe's Pottery Museum

12/09/2026

It is all about the 1960's at Sharpe's Pottery Museum this weekend and what life was like in Swadlincote, from a night at the Rink, working life, what children did after school and in the holidays, the home, food and clothing.

There are lots of things to do throughout the day including a selection of talks in the People Express building, play some of the many games with family and friends, take a look at the exhibitions on homewares and other items that would have been in the home.

See the 'Swad loop' train running that would have collected items from the many industries in the area.

#1960's

12/09/2026

🎉 IT’S TODAY!!! 🎉

Heritage Open Days are in full swing across South Derbyshire – and today is a BIG one!

If you’re wondering what to do this Saturday, why not make a day of it and discover some of the fantastic heritage right here on our doorstep?

And remember… Heritage Open Days are FREE!💚

⭐ MASSIVE SPOTLIGHT ON SWAD HERITAGE FEST! ⭐

📍 Swadlincote & Sharpe’s Pottery Museum
📅 TODAY – Saturday 12 September
⏰ 11am–5pm
🎟️ FREE

https://www.visitsouthderbyshire.co.uk/event/swadlincote/swad-heritage-fest/

Come along and step back into "1960s Swadlincote", celebrating the people, industries, work, family life and social history that helped shape the town we know today.

There’s so much to see and do throughout the day, with:

🚂 Chris Clarke from The Gresley Society talking about the remarkable "Sir Nigel Gresley"
🎶 Music and entertainment
🏺 Pottery and local industrial heritage
🎨 Activities and displays
👀 And don’t forget to look out for the "Special reveal at Sharpe’s!"

But that’s not all happening today…

🚂 SIR NIGEL GRESLEY GALLERY EXHIBITION
📍 South Derbyshire Visitor Centre

While you’re at Swad Heritage Fest, make sure you pop into the Visitor Centre and take a look around our special exhibition celebrating Sir Nigel Gresley

Our Visitor Centre Assistants Tina and Lyndsay will be delighted to welcome you, show you around and help you discover more about this extraordinary engineer and his connections to South Derbyshire.

⛪ ST WILFRID’S CHURCH – BARROW UPON TRENT
📅 12 and 13 September
⏰ 12 noon–4pm

Explore this fascinating historic church with "Everyday Lives and More Curiosities", discovering local stories, unusual features and centuries of history.

🏡 HARTSHORNE UPPER HALL
🚪 Doors open 1.30pm
🕑 Tours from 2pm

A rare opportunity to step inside this remarkable historic timber-framed manor house and discover another piece of South Derbyshire’s story.

⚠️ Hartshorne Upper Hall is pre-booking only, so please check your booking before travelling.

💚 So, where will Heritage Open Days take you today?

https://www.visitsouthderbyshire.co.uk/event/swadlincote/heritage-open-days-south-derbyshire-2026/

11/09/2026

If you are looking for some live music this weekend.

Melbourne Assembly Rooms are hosting the 20th anniversary tour of The bar-steward sons of Val Doonican - 11th September at 7.30pm
See the website for further information: https://www.thebarstewardsons.com

Always Westlife at Visit Conkers an evening of life entertainment with this tribute band - 12th September at 7pm - £20.00 per person
See the website for further information : https://www.visitconkers.com/events/

Janice Burns & Jon Doran in concert an evening of clever and uncluttered musical story telling in Swadlincote Town Hall - 13th September at 8pm - prices form £12.00
See the website for further information :
https://www.melbiggsmusic.co.uk

11/09/2026

If you are looking for a day out with a difference pay a visit to Statfold Country Park for this road, rail and ale event.

12th to 13th September
10am to 4pm

See below for further information.

It's here! The Loco Lineup for this weekend's Road, Rail & Ale show! 😄

We have the lovely K1, Fiji, Tamar, Isaac and Carol Ann returning to the tracks.

Plus, on the line offering passenger trains for the FIRST time... Bord Na Mona!

See you there! 👇
https://roadrailale.statfold.com/

11/09/2026

A great day is planned tomorrow at Sharpe's Pottery Museum.

Displays, talks, crafting, exhibitions demonstrations.

Talks on: the rink, Sir Nigel Gresley, coal mining, pottery and pipe yards.

Pop along and join in and support your local heritage Heritage Open Days.

11/09/2026

🎉 IT’S OFFICIAL – HERITAGE OPEN DAYS HAVE STARTED! 🎉

Heritage Open Days are here, so this weekend why not get out and discover some of the history, buildings and stories right here in South Derbyshire?

And remember – Heritage Open Days are FREE! 💚
It’s the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere you may have driven past a hundred times but never actually stepped inside.

Here’s your guide to what’s happening this weekend 👇

🚂 SIR NIGEL GRESLEY GALLERY EXHIBITION
📍 South Derbyshire Visitor Centre, Swadlincote
📅 11–20 September
⏰ 10am–2pm

Pop into the Visitor Centre and discover more about Sir Nigel Gresley, his family life and his incredible contribution to the world of railways.

Our Visitor Centre Assistants Tina and Lyndsay will be delighted to welcome you and show you around. 🚂💚

🎉 SWAD HERITAGE FEST – DON’T MISS THIS ONE!
📅 Saturday 12 September
⏰ 11am–5pm
📍 Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote
🎟️ FREE – no booking required

Travel back to 1960s Swadlincote and discover the work, home life, social life, pottery and industries that helped shape the town.

There’ll be music, activities, memorabilia, vehicles, local mining and pottery heritage and plenty to discover.

🚂 Plus, meet Chris Clarke from The Gresley Society and hear more about Sir Nigel Gresley – the man behind some of Britain’s most famous locomotives and railway speed records.

And don’t forget there’s a special reveal at Sharpe’s! 👀

⛪ ST WILFRID’S CHURCH – BARROW UPON TRENT
📅 Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September
⏰ 12 noon–4pm

Step inside this fascinating historic church and discover "Everyday Lives and More Curiosities", with local stories, tours and an opportunity to look at a beautiful building you may not ordinarily get the chance to explore.

🏡 HARTSHORNE UPPER HALL
📅 Saturday 12 September
🚪 Doors open 1.30pm
🕑 Tours from 2pm–5pm

Step inside this remarkable historic house for a candlelit tour, with something new for 2026 – a display of English Civil Wars soldier’s clothing and equipment.

⚠️ Pre-booking is essential for Hartshorne Upper Hall, so make sure you have your place booked before setting off.

💚 So what are you waiting for?

Make this the weekend you discover somewhere new.

It’s free, it’s local and it’s happening THIS WEEKEND!

https://www.visitsouthderbyshire.co.uk/event/swadlincote/heritage-open-days-south-derbyshire-2026/

https://issuu.com/southderbysdc/docs/heritage_open_day_booklet_2_-_reload