Booking now

Click the image for more information and to book your place

All courses and events shown below are booking now. Click here to see a list of all our courses and events in start date order.

If you have any difficulty booking the course, please see FAQ below or contact us on: enquiries@derbyshireecocentre.co.uk

Weekday
Weekend
Evening
Talks

Weekday

Featured
Growing Together in Autumn
Sept 15
Growing Together in Autumn

BOOK COURSE, OR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS

Get your hands dirty with other beginners to learn the basic skills for successful gardening. We’ll learn how to manage and make wildlife friendly plans for a garden as we move into the cooler months (Weekly)

Read more →
Textile Art
Sept 16
Textile Art

BOOK COURSE, OR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS

Textile art offers endless opportunities for creative expression. On this course, you'll have the opportunity to try various techniques and materials to produce a beautiful piece of art. No previous art experience is necessary (Weekly)

Read more →
Countryside Skills
Sept 16
Countryside Skills

BOOK COURSE, OR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS

A supportive and inclusive group for everyone wanting to learn hands-on outdoor skills at our unique and beautiful countryside Eco Centre site.  Enjoy working as a team, and learning new skills, while keeping active and well in the outdoors and nature, doing practical activities together (Weekly)

Read more →
Photography
Sept 16
Photography

BOOK COURSE, OR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS

Look at photography from a different angle. Learn what makes a photograph stand out from the others. Understand the ‘rules’ and experiment with breaking them. This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in photography. You can use any device on which you can take images (Weekly)

Read more →
Creative Dementia
Sept 29
Creative Dementia

BOOK COURSE, OR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS

A supportive group for those living with dementia and their carers, to enhance wellbeing, joy and connection. Exploring creativity through art, crafts and gardening (Weekly)

Read more →
Creative Dementia
Nov 3
Creative Dementia

A supportive group for those living with dementia and their carers, to enhance wellbeing, joy and connection. Exploring creativity through art, crafts and gardening (Weekly)

Read more →
Nature Inspiring Art
Nov 3
Nature Inspiring Art

Discover how to create art using materials found in nature, learn ancient paint making techniques and how to make your own art tools (Weekly)

Read more →
Earth & Form: A Weekly Clay & Ceramics Studio
Nov 3
Earth & Form: A Weekly Clay & Ceramics Studio

Transform raw clay into bespoke, handmade ceramics! Whether you are starting from basics or looking to bring a personal project to life, this course provides the ideal space to develop your ideas and technique (Tuesday evenings)

Read more →
Countryside Skills
Nov 4
Countryside Skills

A supportive and inclusive group for everyone wanting to learn hands-on outdoor skills at our unique and beautiful countryside Eco Centre site.  Enjoy working as a team, and learning new skills, while keeping active and well in the outdoors and nature, doing practical activities together (Weekly)

Read more →
Painting & Drawing
Nov 4
Painting & Drawing

Learn to paint & draw in a casual creative environment where we focus on the joy of process over perfection - no prior practice, skill or materials required, just come as you are! (Wednesday evenings)

Read more →
Beginners Pottery
Nov 5
Beginners Pottery

Suitable for beginners and those with a little experience. We will cover the basics of hand building and surface decoration in clay through a series of playful exercises and projects (Weekly)

Read more →
Textile Art
Nov 18
Textile Art

Textile art offers endless opportunities for creative expression. On this course, you'll have the opportunity to try various techniques and materials to produce a beautiful piece of art. No previous art experience is necessary (Weekly)

Read more →
Creative Dementia
Jan 5
Creative Dementia

A supportive group for those living with dementia and their carers, to enhance wellbeing, joy and connection. Exploring creativity through art, crafts and gardening (Weekly)

Read more →
Countryside Skills
Jan 6
Countryside Skills

A supportive and inclusive group for everyone wanting to learn hands-on outdoor skills at our unique and beautiful countryside Eco Centre site.  Enjoy working as a team, and learning new skills, while keeping active and well in the outdoors and nature, doing practical activities together (Weekly)

Read more →

Weekend

Featured
Smoke Fired Pottery
Oct 11
Smoke Fired Pottery

This two-part smoke firing workshop is ideal for all abilities whether you are a complete beginner to pottery or have some experience of working with clay. You will explore and make a variety of different forms ready to prepare for the firing on the second weekend (Sunday over two weekends)

Read more →
Natural Dyes
Oct 31
Natural Dyes

This course is a hands-on introduction on how to create natural dyes, produce colourful textiles using natural materials, identify dye plants, mordanting, over-dyeing and tie-dye. Suitable for everyone who loves colour and fibre. No previous experience necessary (Weekend)

Read more →
Bushcraft
Nov 7
Bushcraft

Bushcraft is about using natural resources to live in the wild. This course will introduce you to the range of skills needed to do this successfully (Saturday)

Read more →
Textile Jewellery
Nov 7
Textile Jewellery

Design, play and experiment with shape, texture and colour to create unique personalised jewellery of your choice, using fabric, threads, yarn, raffia, beads etc. Perfect for people who like to wear their art or try out new techniques. No previous experience necessary (Weekend)

Read more →
Natural Body Care
Nov 14
Natural Body Care

Come and join us to learn how to make natural products to use at home such as moisturising creams, lip balm, hair care products and much more at our 1 day workshop (Saturday)

Read more →
Bird Box Making
Nov 14
Bird Box Making

No woodwork or carpentry experience necessary as all instruction will be given.  We will be using basic woodworking tools to create bird boxes of various styles and using different types of timber (Saturday)

Read more →
Dry Stone Walling Taster - 3
Nov 21
Dry Stone Walling Taster - 3

ADDITIONAL DATE

A half day introductory course for anyone who wants to gain the basic knowledge and skills to repair dry stone walls. A practical session with added information on how to take the craft further if you wish (Saturday - am)

Read more →
Coiled Basketry
Nov 28
Coiled Basketry

Enjoy creating colourful, patterned coiled basketry items using this ancient craft, using raffia, yarn and fabric and a variety of stitches from around the world (Weekend)

Read more →
Hedgelaying
Nov 28
Hedgelaying

An introduction to the traditional craft of hedgelaying - a traditional way of restoring and reviving a hedge whilst creating a natural stockproof barrier (Weekend)

Read more →
Derbyshire Eco Centre - a Sustainable Building for the Community
Nov 28
Derbyshire Eco Centre - a Sustainable Building for the Community

Built in 2010 to showcase sustainable building design, the Eco Centre is still inspiring. Take a look at the special design features, inside and out, hear the Centre's story and our plans for the future. Wrap up warm! (Saturday)

Read more →
Dry Stone Walling Taster - 4
Dec 5
Dry Stone Walling Taster - 4

ADDITIONAL DATE

A half day introductory course for anyone who wants to gain the basic knowledge and skills to repair dry stone walls. A practical session with added information on how to take the craft further if you wish (Saturday - am)

Read more →
Winter Traditions
Dec 13
Winter Traditions

We start with a short winter walk of about an hour followed by a session back in the warmth of the Eco Centre to explore and share winter traditions from around the world (Sunday)

Read more →

Evening

Featured
Earth & Form: A Weekly Clay & Ceramics Studio
Nov 3
Earth & Form: A Weekly Clay & Ceramics Studio

Transform raw clay into bespoke, handmade ceramics! Whether you are starting from basics or looking to bring a personal project to life, this course provides the ideal space to develop your ideas and technique (Tuesday evenings)

Read more →
Painting & Drawing
Nov 4
Painting & Drawing

Learn to paint & draw in a casual creative environment where we focus on the joy of process over perfection - no prior practice, skill or materials required, just come as you are! (Wednesday evenings)

Read more →
A Wild Life - Birds
Nov 12
A Wild Life - Birds

Robins are not just for Christmas! Throughout the year enthusiasts come together to share their knowledge of birds and how to conserve them. Find out more about what they do and how you can get involved in an informal session where everyone is welcome (Wednesday evening)

Read more →
Christmas Crafts - Dried Flower Star or Hoop
Nov 17
Christmas Crafts - Dried Flower Star or Hoop

Join Pippa in a practical session and talk about growing cut flowers in the UK and sustainable floristry. Attendees will create a stunning natural piece of wall art to adorn your home or to gift to friends (Tuesday evening)

Read more →
An Adventure in The Gambia
Nov 18
An Adventure in The Gambia

Spending two years with Voluntary Service Overseas on an education project in the tiny country of The Gambia in West Africa brought adventures, challenges and lifelong friendships with those Emma lived and worked with (Wednesday evening)

Read more →
Christmas Crafts - Wreaths
Nov 24
Christmas Crafts - Wreaths

Get into the festive spirit and have a cosy relaxed evening working with locally grown materials. Create a beautiful wreath to adorn your front door using eco-friendly and sustainable floristry techniques (Tuesday evening)

Read more →
Christmas Crafts - Wreaths
Dec 1
Christmas Crafts - Wreaths

Get into the festive spirit and have a cosy relaxed evening working with locally grown materials. Create a beautiful wreath to adorn your front door using eco-friendly and sustainable floristry techniques (Tuesday evening)

Read more →
Finding the Way on the Portway
Dec 2
Finding the Way on the Portway

This ancient Portway trading route once ran along 'Porter Lane' right past the Eco Centre and continued to Mam Tor. While much of this ‘way’ is steeped in mystery, the existence of the Portway is evidenced with documents, place names and in a few cases with physical paths on the ground (Wednesday evening)

Read more →
Opening Celebration and Winter Party
Dec 5
Opening Celebration and Winter Party

FREE EVENT

Raising a toast, supper, bar, DJ Su-Ki and more. Tickets FREE. Fund raising and donations welcome (Saturday)

Read more →
Christmas Crafts - Table Decorations
Dec 8
Christmas Crafts - Table Decorations

Create a bespoke table decoration for your Christmas table, this activity can be adapted based on the size and shape of your table at home or if you wish to use them for another purpose (Tuesday evening)

Read more →
From Farm to Fork
Dec 9
From Farm to Fork

A look at the hill farm Sally lives on, how it is run with the seasons, the conservation work being done, the restoration of species rich hay meadows, and the support for ground nesting birds, as well as the animals' year, and what it takes to get from farm to fork! (Evening talk)

Read more →

Talks

Featured
A Wild Life - Birds
Nov 12
A Wild Life - Birds

Robins are not just for Christmas! Throughout the year enthusiasts come together to share their knowledge of birds and how to conserve them. Find out more about what they do and how you can get involved in an informal session where everyone is welcome (Wednesday evening)

Read more →
An Adventure in The Gambia
Nov 18
An Adventure in The Gambia

Spending two years with Voluntary Service Overseas on an education project in the tiny country of The Gambia in West Africa brought adventures, challenges and lifelong friendships with those Emma lived and worked with (Wednesday evening)

Read more →
Derbyshire Eco Centre - a Sustainable Building for the Community
Nov 28
Derbyshire Eco Centre - a Sustainable Building for the Community

Built in 2010 to showcase sustainable building design, the Eco Centre is still inspiring. Take a look at the special design features, inside and out, hear the Centre's story and our plans for the future. Wrap up warm! (Saturday)

Read more →
Finding the Way on the Portway
Dec 2
Finding the Way on the Portway

This ancient Portway trading route once ran along 'Porter Lane' right past the Eco Centre and continued to Mam Tor. While much of this ‘way’ is steeped in mystery, the existence of the Portway is evidenced with documents, place names and in a few cases with physical paths on the ground (Wednesday evening)

Read more →
From Farm to Fork
Dec 9
From Farm to Fork

A look at the hill farm Sally lives on, how it is run with the seasons, the conservation work being done, the restoration of species rich hay meadows, and the support for ground nesting birds, as well as the animals' year, and what it takes to get from farm to fork! (Evening talk)

Read more →
Winter Traditions
Dec 13
Winter Traditions

We start with a short winter walk of about an hour followed by a session back in the warmth of the Eco Centre to explore and share winter traditions from around the world (Sunday)

Read more →

For more information about any of our courses you can contact us.

Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Click on the course image with the date. You will go into the course detail page with the price and a bit more detail. To book, click ‘Book Now’ and this will take you through to the booking system where you will enter your details and details of the attendee(s) if different. Follow the instructions on the screens through to and including payment.

    For help finding the online payment options, click here

  • When we have regular opening hours you can pay in cash by coming up to the Eco Centre and booking with us there. In the meantime, if you'd like to book a course and pay by cash, get in touch with us and we'll make arrangements for you.

    The booking system will only accept online payments.

  • The CIC does not receive any subsidy itself so cannot offer discounted fees to individuals at the moment. Our fee structure means that some courses are more affordable than others, especially where they are designed for people who need support in their learning. Some fees are lower where the whole course is being sponsored by another organisation. Also, our online payments facility allows for paying in instalments which helps to make our courses affordable.

  • Our online payments facility offers Klarna as a payment method. Once you have a Klarna account, they usually offer customers a way to spread payments over 3 months with 0% finance.

    For help finding the online payment options, click here

  • Having an account lets you manage your booking whenever is convenient for you e.g. to check the dates or times of the sessions or to cancel. You are able to see all the details for this course and any previous courses you have attended with us.

    It also allows us to contact you if something unforeseen happens and we need to reschedule a course or session.

  • You can enter any special requirements when you book. They are entered as part of the attendee details as the person booking isn’t always the person attending.

    We will check these when we receive your booking to make sure we can cater for your needs.

  • If you cancel your booking up to one month before your event you will normally receive a full refund less a small administration fee for each attendee. You can cancel your booking through your user account within the booking system. You can get either a refund payment or a credit to your account. After this time a refund is at our discretion.

  • Thanks for booking with us. We hope you have a successful time and that you enjoy your course at our venue. Please help to spread the word by giving us a good review. If you would like us to make improvements to our offer please get in touch directly.

    We welcome positive suggestions.

    We hope to see you again.