Derbyshire Wedding Venues #2: Modern-Day Mills
For part 2 of our ultimate guide to Derbyshire wedding venues, we’re focusing on industrial chic in the form of a couple of restored cotton mills and a converted coach-house. If you’re a sucker for exposed beams and brickwork, look no further.
Our Top 3 Industrial Wedding Venues in Derbyshire
The West Mill, Derby
I first fell in love with The West Mill venue on the outskirts of Derby when we were invited to dress a styled shoot there back in 2019. It’s industrial red-brick cool, it’s Grade I listed, it’s right by Darley Park and the River Derwent, and it’s an exclusive-use venue, so there’s only ever one wedding on one day. What’s not to like?
The Cotton Quarter on the top floor of the West Mill is licensed for civil ceremonies. During our photo-shoot the light flooding in through the old Georgian windows was stunning, especially the way it bounced and reflected off the copper ceiling. Just perfect for wedding photos.
It’s no wonder the West Mill is regularly featured on bridal blogs like Love My Dress and Rock My Wedding.
We also took some of our styled shoot pics at the new Mill House accommodation next door, which continues the West Mill’s industrial vibes to great effect and can sleep 16 adults and 5 little ones.
Check out our bride Lauren’s wedding video for a full West Mill tour with a difference (and a donut wall). Just have those tissues at the ready!
Haarlem Mill
Just outside the Derbyshire Dales market town of Wirksworth, Haarlem Mill is another industrial wedding venue that brings together understated heritage and cotton-mill cool.
The fire escapes alone are wedding photo gold, and there’s a private outdoor terrace for sunny wedding days. And even if it does lash down (this is Derbyshire after all!), there’s enough Insta intrigue inside to make you forget all about the Great British weather.
Image credit: Becky Tranter from Life Through A Lens
Haarlem Mill is another exclusive-use wedding venue, so the whole place is yours from 10am on the day through to your midnight carriages. I also love the fact that Team Haarlem wedding planning is included in the cost of the venue hire, which is a nice touch.
One thing that sets Haarlem Mill apart is the funky Bridal Suite dressing area on the top floor, where you and your bride squad can do your hair-and-makeup thang and get your pre-wedding snaps done.
Groomy gets looked after, too: there’s a New York loft-style bar right next door for a swift nerve-steadier before the main event.
Zest Catering provide the wedding-day scrummies: Zest’s owners were the masterminds behind Haarlem Mill’s restoration, so you know they put food at the heart of their wedding planning. You can go for traditional fine dining, or mix things up a bit with a barbecue feast or a pie-and-pea supper.
The Riding School at Calke Abbey, Ticknall
Set in over 600 acres of South Derbyshire parkland, The Riding School at Calke Abbey is part of the Honeysuckle & Castle stable of rustic wedding venues across the East Midlands.
Calke Abbey itself is owned by the National Trust and open to the public, but The Riding School is exclusive to wedding parties on the day of the ceremony. Think high beams, exposed brick and distressed paintwork, all inside a striking Grade I-listed baroque exterior.
Our bride Amy took the place by storm last September – check out the stunning pics by HBA Photography to see the Riding School, the Abbey and its beautiful walled gardens really brought to life.
Civil ceremonies at The Riding School can host up to 160 guests, and for guest accommodation there are 5 holiday cottages on Calke Abbey’s private estate, each sleeping between 2 and 14 people.
The Black Peppermint Food Co are the exclusive catering supplier, and it’s a no-corkage venue.
Honeysuckle & Castle regularly run wedding fairs and venue open days, so keep an eye on their website, Instagram or Eventbrite for chances to see the place for yourself.
Up next, our top 3 unusual Derbyshire wedding venue ideas.