News

Vineyard Breaks Go Down a Treat

We are delighted to announce a new season of our acclaimed Vineyard Breaks for later 2017!  Consisting of a weekend of fine wine, fine food, great entertainment with a wine theme and a personal vineyard tour and tasting.  We've held our prices too.  Click on the page take at the left and book before it's too late!


Pick a weekend in Augsut or September and drop us a line - it really couldn't be simpler. 


A great occasion to celebrate a wine lovers birthday, a special anniversary or even to go down on one knee! It has happened!


Get in touch if you have questions.

Charity Weekends Go Down A Treat

Derwent Mills Cottages is a local business that operates two small holiday cottages in the heart of the Derwent Valley Word Heritage Site town of Belper.  We rely upon the environment, attractions and amenities of the Derwent Valley being of high quality to entice visitors to come and stay with us and because we are not in the Peak District National Park we are especially reliant upon groups and organisations that do great works to deliver that quality.  So, to create a perfect circle we want to put a little bit back.


Each year we donate at least one shortbreak weekend to a favourite local charity.  In 2014 it was the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust that benefited and in 2015 it was the Derbyshire Toy Library, both are organisations that do great things locally.  The Derbyshire Toy Library, like the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in 2014, auctioned their weekend break and our sister business Amber Valley Wines, donated wine to the lucky winning guests for their arrival.


We'd like to do something similar for 2016, but this time we are going to create a shortlist of arts, heritage and environmental related charities that work in the local area to be the beneficiary of the weekend.  The difference this year is we are going to let you choose the charity that benefits from it.  In addition to that we are going to donate 1% of our Nett turnover to the same charity at the end of the year, a rather nice little windfalll. 


As a socially and environmentally responsible local business we want to ensure we are supporting charities and organisations that improve the local natural and historic environment and that do something to promote and support tourism locally.  We include arts because we believe that this often forgotten area does much to create positive perceptions and capture imaginations in subtle ways that can do much to promote our local landscapes, places, history that inspire people to visit Derbyshire.  Friends of Cromford Canal and Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust have between them done a huge amount to conserve, regenerate and, consequently promote more tourism, bringing huge benefits the local economy.


Our Shortlist is as follows:


Friends of Cromford Canal

Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust

 

Throughout January we will hold a People Choice vote on Facebook, giving you the opportunity to vote for the charity you think should benefit.  We'll announce the winner at the end of the month. 


New Logo and New Website

You've probably already seen our new logo, which is now right across our website and marketing materials.  Created by our friend Rachel at Greenhouse Designs, a local business that we'd highly recommend.  The design reflects that Strutt and Frith Cottages are a fun, quirky and carefree places for couples (and small families in Frith's case!). The little cog is a little nod to the role these cottages played in the long industrial heritage of this lovely mill town on the edge of Peak country.  We love it, and we hope you do too.


We've updated our website too,  with the intention of making it easier on the eye and clearer to navigate.  We welcome feedback!


Frith Cottage Wowing Guests


Derwent Mills Cottages are delighted to announce that we have now added another cottage to the estate, which is now open to guests.


Owners, Barry and Katharine Lewis are delighted that Frith Cottage is adding to the local accommodation offer, providing affordable luxury breaks for paying guests. 


Barry said,


"Firth Cottage is open for business and offering high quality guest accommodation."


Katharine Added,


"The new cottage continues the high standards of cleanliness and good value that we have become known for, and we we have been offering quality guest accommodation since late June 2015 and have had some lovely comments and feedback."


END

Coming Soon: A New Property


Watch this space as we shall, hopefully, be announcing a new property for the portfolio in the Derwent Valley.  This new cottage will provide better levels of luxury at highly competitive rates and add to the local tourist  accommodation offer. 



Strutt Cottage Commissions Local Artist Ruth Gray

We are excited to announce that works commissioned by us for Strutt Cottage have been completed and are currently being framed for a mid-June delivery.  The works, done by Belper Artist Ruth Gray, show a street view of the cottage that captures the historic atmosphere of its location, and a view of the medieval St. John's Chapel from the bedroom window. 


We believe in supporting local businesses and local talent and are really pleased that we commissioned these amazing pieces that will enhance the visitor experience for our guests. Special cards with envelopes will also be available for our guests to take away as souvenirs or send to send to friends and family.  Guests will also be offered the option to order prints as momentoes of their stay.


Barry Lewis said,


"Ruth has a wonderful style that really captures light and atmosphere.  She also manages to capture that uniquely human aspect of people moving easily in street scenes  too."


These wonderful paintings  are now available as prints in our online Strutt Cottage Shop, click on the Shop in the menu.


Further examples of Ruth's work can be found here: Ruth Gray Images.

Ruth Gray Chair in window
Strutt Cottage by Ruth Gray

Images shown here are the Copyright of Ruth Gray 2014 All Rights Reserved.