Barrow Hill Roundhouse to be lit up with large-scale projections as part of Derbyshire ‘Shine a light’ campaign

Chesterfield’s iconic Barrow Hill Roundhouse will be lit up with spectacular light projections later this year, as it has been selected as one of the venues in the annual Derbyshire ‘Shine a light’ campaign.

Large-scale projections will light up Derbyshire landmarks with a unique fusion of music, visuals and sound when ‘Shine A Light’ returns this autumn/winter.

Visitors will be able to watch Derbyshire’s history unfold in magical night-time shows projected on to four heritage venues across the county as part of the new Shine A Light programme, which will run from September 2022 to February 2023.

Alongside Barrow Hill Roundhouse, The large-scale projections will take place for the first time at Elvaston Castle and the National Trust’s Hardwick Hall, whilst Cromford Mills will return to host the unique outdoor events for a second year.

In addition, the towns of New Mills and Bolsover will be working with the Shine A Light team to build exciting new additions for their annual community lantern processions and parades.

Providing fun for the whole family, the events will bring together awe-inspiring illuminations and projections in a visually stunning display that is unique to each venue and centred around the themes of climate change and water.

Delivered by internationally-renowned Derbyshire-born video projection artists Illuminos, Shine A Light is 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 last year.

The events have been commissioned by Derbyshire County Council following a successful pilot in 2021 when Shine A Light displays held at Chatsworth and Cromford Mills were enjoyed by more than 3,200 visitors.

Designed to celebrate Derbyshire’s rich history and heritage, extend the tourism season and boost the visitor economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the next instalments of Shine A Light aim to build on last year’s success with more awe-inspiring events.

Confirmed dates and venues are:

• Cromford Mills, home of Sir Richard Arkwright’s first mill complex, in the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, on Thursday 27 October and Friday 28 October
• Elvaston Castle, a Gothic Revival castle and surrounding parkland, run by Derbyshire County Council, on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November
• Barrow Hill Roundhouse, the last surviving railway roundhouse in the United Kingdom with an operational turntable, on Thursday 8 December and Friday 9 December
• Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan country house built by Bess of Hardwick in the 1500s, owned by the National Trust, on Friday 17 February and Saturday 18 February

Exciting new works will be displayed at New Mills Lantern Procession & Community Event on Saturday 24 September and Bolsover Lantern Parade on Saturday 26 November.

Tickets and more information will be available soon at 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 tremendously proud of what we achieved with Shine A Light last year but that was just the beginning.

“We’re coming back bigger and better this year with more venues added, each with their own story to tell as part of this ‘anthology’.

“With the visitor economy still feeling the after effects of the pandemic, it’s vital that we support its recovery in Derbyshire and we’re proud to be able to help support these unique experiences which will provide excellent entertainment for tourists and residents alike.”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “Last year’s Shine A Light displays provided magical entertainment for visitors and residents alike, and we’re delighted that this year’s programme has expanded to include three great new heritage venues and two community-based celebrations.

“These events provide an excellent opportunity to see Derbyshire’s rich history brought to life whilst enjoying the area’s great visitor offer in the typically quieter months, supporting the recovery of local businesses in the process.”

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire and Barrow Hill Ltd. supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.