Dazzling projections to ‘shine a light’ on iconic Derbyshire landmarks
Spectacular large-scale projections will light up two Derbyshire landmarks in a new night-time attraction celebrating the county’s rich heritage this autumn.
Visitors will be able to see Derbyshire’s heritage and history of innovation brought to life in ‘Shine A Light’ – an extravaganza of light and sound taking place on four dates in October against the impressive backdrops of Chatsworth House and Cromford Mills.
Delivered by internationally-renowned Derbyshire-born video projection artists Illuminos, Shine A Light brings together awe-inspiring illuminations and projections in a visually stunning display inspired by Voices From The Peak – a celebration of the county in sound created by local poet and performer Mark Gwynne Jones to celebrate the Peak District National Park’s 70th birthday earlier this year.
Providing fun and entertainment for the whole family, the one-of-a-kind experiences have been commissioned by Derbyshire County Council to celebrate Derbyshire’s rich history and heritage while boosting the visitor economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each outdoor event is a fusion of visuals, music and sound culminating in a large-scale moving animation projected onto the building every 20 minutes throughout each evening at:
- Chatsworth, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, on Friday 22 October and Saturday 23 October from 6.30pm.
- Cromford Mills, home of Sir Richard Arkwright’s first mill complex, in the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, on Thursday 28 October and Friday 29 October from 6.30pm.
Visitors to the Chatsworth experience will be greeted by atmospheric lighting which will illuminate the route to the South Lawn, passing some of the most impressive features in the Chatsworth Garden. A large-scale moving animation will be projected onto the spectacular South Front of Chatsworth House and there will be a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks and treats available.
At Cromford Mills, visitors will have the unique opportunity to see the historic buildings, watercourse and mill yard beautifully illuminated by night. Two buildings will be used as the backdrop to the animation in the Grade I listed mill complex, which is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary, and food and drink will be available in the mill yard and at the canal-side setting of Wheatcroft’s Wharf.
Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 per child (aged 4-16 inclusive, free for 3 and under).
For more details and to book tickets, please visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com/shine-a-light.
Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We’re proud to be able to help support these unique experiences which will provide excellent entertainment for tourists and residents alike.
“We’ve brought together internationally-known projection artists and a renowned local poet and storyteller to create these fascinating events which are designed for people of all ages to enjoy.
“It is vital we support the local visitor economy to recover following coronavirus pandemic and we hope in future years to extend ‘Shine A Light’ to more venues across our county.”
Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “Derbyshire is fortunate to have some of the world’s most significant heritage attractions and ‘Shine A Light’ offers the fantastic opportunity to see history brought to life in spectacular style against the backdrops of Chatsworth and Cromford Mills.
“Better still, these night-time displays offer the perfect excuse to enjoy all the Peak District & Derbyshire has to offer in autumn, from cosy places to stay to unique places to visit and great local food and drink, supporting the recovery of local businesses in the process. These events will be very popular, and we urge everyone to get their tickets as soon as possible!”
Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
