Buildings 26 and 21 at Cromford Mill

These are a pair of cottages, built around 1780 and altered in the 19th and 20th centuries. They are of group value, representing a significant contribution to the historical, architectural and artistic character of the area.

The cottages are constructed of brick, with a slate roof. Building 26, also known as Grace Cottage, has a rendered exterior intended to resemble ashlar stone. The cottages are rectangular and oriented roughly northwest to southeast.

Grace Cottage is two storeys high, with a gabled roof and two chimneys. It forms part of the enclosed west yard of the mill complex. Building 21 adjoins it and is unrendered.

The west elevation of Grace Cottage is a gable end, with the main entrance centrally positioned under a flat arch with stucco voussoirs. To the south of the entrance is a 20th-century sash window within a segmental arch. Above this is a larger window containing a pair of six-over-six sashes. The north elevation, overlooking the yard, has two doors and four ground-floor window openings with 20th-century six-over-six sashes. Two further windows are located on the first floor, roughly central. Building 21 continues eastward, with further openings partly obscured by 20th-century sheds (Building 20) projecting to the north.

The south elevation, facing the road, has a timber casement window in Grace Cottage, roughly central. A small six-pane stair light is located at the east end of the building. Building 21 has a 20th-century double door at its east end, leading to an electricity substation, and 20th-century casements at ground and first floor. Scarring in the brickwork indicates alterations to the ground-floor openings.

The interior of Grace Cottage consists of rooms arranged linearly. The main entrance opens into a reception room, leading to a dining room. To the east are the kitchen, a store room, and the staircase to the first floor. The first floor features a corridor along the south wall, with three bedrooms and a bathroom.