What’s On
Discover what’s happening at the Rock Mill Centre, from live music and family events to workshops, art exhibitions, and community gatherings. Stay up to date with our latest events and experience joy, connection and creativity all in one place.
Special Events
The Squabble at the Littlest Theatre
Lempen Puppet Theatre are bringing The Squabble to the Littlest Theatre
A delightful show for 3-7 year olds
Eight performances over two days. Tickets on sale later this summer. Suggested price £5 with £3 minimum, includes after show activity session.
This event is supported by Foundation Derbyshire
HandleBards- Macbeth
The HandleBards are an intrepid three-strong troupe spending the summer touring Macbeth, bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
Here be Dragons
Here Be Dragons!
Have you ever tangled with a five-headed Hottle-Spottle with a headache? Or soothed a silver-tongued Slimp-Slatherer with a serious drooling problem?
On 17th August, join the Babbling Vagabonds at their secret camp! Meet the "Creature Carers" who mend misunderstood monsters and mythical beasts. Watch their daring tale unfold, and then jump into the action to help conjure up a brand-new story to calm a bewildered beastie.
Part adventure theatre + part interactive storytelling = Total Fun!
Bring your mini-monsters to this award-winning family show.
Tickets £8, on sale at the Centre
Opening events for 25 Years In Tatters
Happy Lammas!: A day of celebrations for the Powderkeg Morris ‘Twenty Five Years in Tatters’!
10 am - 4pm Exhibition open (continues until 30 August)
12 -12.45pm Morris themed craft activities
1-1.45pm Morris dancing outside High Lea Hall (a short walk away)
2-3.45pm Morris themed craft activities and open music session, join in with your own instrument!
HandleBards - As You Like It
Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
World Otter Day
Otter crafts, stories and information - and help turn the mine tunnel into an otter holt!
Preview Evening - Hidden Gems
A preview of the latest Brian Nolan exhibition of his ‘unknown views’. The event will be hosted by members of the Brian Nolan Art Trust, and their archive room at the Centre will be open.
There will be a raffle and refreshments will be available.
Art Exhibition: The Songs The Morning Sang
The Songs The Morning Sang is an exhibition by and collaboration between poet Ian McMillan and photographer Andrew Brooks. They explore the streets where they live in the early morning to capture some of the strangeness and beauty of the everyday world.
Art Exhibition: Charlie Collins
During the month of October local artist Charlie Collins will be exhibiting work at Rock Mill Centre.
Regular Events
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New Mills Heritage Trail
Come and explore New Mills! You will be welcomed at 15 historic buildings throughout the town - each with a logo to add to a stamp booklet designed by local artist Andrea Joseph (£4.50 from Rock Mill Centre).
Look out for the Stamp Booklet logo in the window at each building.
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Supper Club
The Centre hosts a monthly Supper Club, which runs as a fundraiser and a community event. The food is all plant based.
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Souper Friday
Through winter the Centre functions as one of the town’s Warm Spaces. As part of this we run Souper Fridays, with a pay what you can community lunch every week.
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Monthly Art Exhibitions
See What’s On for details of the monthly exhibitions by local artists.
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New Mills Nature (monthly)
10:30- 12:30
Last Saturday of every month
Drop in for nature: Share your ideas or concerns. Learn how projects are progressing. Find out how you can help. Shape future plans.
Permanent Exhibitions & Activities
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Coal Mine Tunnel
New Mills was originally known for agriculture, then coal mining. Crawl through the coal mine tunnel and you will find out what it was like to work in a New Mills coal mine. Learn about the local history and explore the coal mine tunnel at Rock Mill Centre, a firm favourite with big and little kids alike.
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Once & Future
Discover our interactive display that shows how the local landscape has been used since the Stone Age, and what a Wild Peak future could look like. Follow the floor mural that runs through the Rock Mill Centre with interactive wall flaps showing the features of a healthy river. Created by Stand + Stare with artist Phoebe Swan.
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Who's Hiding? Feely Boxes
Follow the river to find hidden creatures hiding in the feely boxes. Place your hand inside the holes and guess which animals are inside.
Thanks to Stand + Stare interactive design studio. Models made by Sophia Daly-Rossin. Carpentry by JB Woodwork. Special thanks to HPBC Councillor Initiative Fund - Simon Evans, HPBC and Sustain Giving for their financial assistance. Don't be scared to put your hand in the hole!
Want to hire Rock Mill for your next event?
We’d love to welcome you to Rock Mill Centre. Hire our friendly, affordable community space that works well for parties, exhibitions, workshops, meetings, classes, and all kinds of local events.