Winter Open Studios event at the former textile mill on Bridge Street, with more than 50 artists, designers and makers across five floors.
Banks Mill Studios are throwing open their doors for Banks Mill Open Studios 2026, their winter opening that runs from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November. It's a chance to wander through five floors of creative spaces and meet more than 50 artists, designers, makers and creative services businesses all working under one roof. You'll see how they make their work and can buy original pieces directly from them, so it works as both a look behind the scenes and a place to pick up something new.
Banks Mill itself is on Bridge Street in the heart of Derby, a refurbished landmark building that was once a historic textile mill. It's run by the University of Derby and houses a real mix of practices — illustration, ceramics, printmaking, music and glasswork — with affordable workspaces, mentoring and professional support to help emerging creatives build sustainable careers. The Open Studios event is the venue's winter opening, and it takes you through those five floors to meet the people working there. The ground-floor gallery runs a rolling programme of exhibitions by local artists, and the studios offer workshops and experiences ranging from printmaking and pottery to photoshoots and tattoos.
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One practical thing to keep in mind: there's no lift in the building, so access is limited to the ground floor for less able visitors. The event opens on Friday 27 November from 4pm to 8pm, and then runs on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free, so you can drop in for an hour or spend a whole afternoon working your way through the floors. You'll find it at Banks Mill Studios, 71 Bridge Street, Derby DE1 3LB.
