Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, with thousands of places across the country opening their doors for free every September. This year, we’re delighted to be taking part for the very first time.
The Bonsall Framework Knitting Workshop is finally ready to welcome visitors again. Our last known knitter worked here back in 1911, and after well over a century of silence, we’re throwing open the doors for a very special Grand Reopening Weekend, with talks, demonstrations and the chance to explore the fully restored workshop.
When & where
- Saturday 19 September: 10am – 5pm
- Sunday 20 September: 10am – 4pm
- Yew Tree Farm, The Dale, Bonsall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2AY
What’s on
Doors open with light refreshments from 10am each day. Across the weekend we’re running three types of session, each with more detail and its own booking form on its own page:
- Project Talk – hear the story of the restoration (Saturday and Sunday, 11am)
- Framework Knitting Demonstration – watch live knitting on our restored 18th-century frame (Saturday and Sunday, 12:30pm and 2pm)
- History Talk with Jeanette – explore the history of framework knitting in Bonsall (Saturday only, 4pm, at the village hall)
Martin will also have a selection of handmade items available to purchase (cash or bank transfer) between 12pm and 4pm on both days.
Getting here and accessibility
Parking is available at Bonsall village car park, about a 10-minute walk from the workshop, with some limited on-street parking nearby too. Please park considerately so cars and tractors can still get through. The workshop itself sits on two levels, with an external stone staircase leading up to the first floor, where the knitting frame is housed.
Taking part in Heritage Open Days
We’re proud to be taking part in Heritage Open Days 2026, England’s largest festival of history and culture. Visit our official listing on the Heritage Open Days website to find out more, and explore the thousands of other places across the country opening their doors for free this September.
This project has been made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Historic Houses Foundation. We can’t wait to welcome you to Bonsall and share this remarkable building with you after 115 years.
Leave a Reply