The Bonsall Framework Knitters Workshop - Grand Reopening after 115 years

The Bonsall Framework Knitters' Workshop has sat largely vacant for over 100 years, resulting in the building falling into disrepair. Thanks to grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Historic Houses Foundation, the building has been sympathetically restored to allow framework knitting to be reintroduced into the village of Bonsall, Derbyshire. Join us for our grand reopening weekend, where you can explore the building, listen to history talks about the workshop and framework knitting in the village and even experience a live demonstration of framework knitting by the last commercial framework knitter in the UK on a fully-operational late-18 century knitting frame that will be permanently housed in the workshop. This has been 115 years in the making, so don't miss your chance to experience this critically endangered craft come alive again in a beautiful authentic historical setting.

Please refer to our website for specific timings for the talks + demonstrations, as these will be finalised closer to day of the event.

This project has been made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Historic Houses Foundation.

Timings

Saturday 19 September:

1000-1600

Sunday 20 September:

1000-1600

Location & directions

Yew Tree Farm, The Dale, Bonsall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2AY

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

Booking is strongly recommended due to the limited capacity on site, especially for the framework knitting demonstrations and other talks. Booking is free and ensures you have a spot for your visit. Booking will be made available in July 2026.

Booking website:

https://bonsallframeworks.uk/

Booking opens:

06 Jul 2026 09:00 AM

Accessibility details

Parking is available at Bonsall village car park, a 10-minute walk away from Bonsall Framework Knitters' Workshop. Limited on-street parking is also available. Please park respectfully to allow cars and tractors to pass easily down the road. If in doubt, please ask one of the hosts upon arrival. The site is on two levels with an external stone staircase accessing the first floor, which is the public-facing space where the framework knitting machine is located.

Additional information

Max number of people:

10

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s)

Check out our online channels

Back to results