Buildings 26 and 21 at Cromford Mill

A pair of cottages constructed in around 1780, altered in the C19 and C20.

MATERIALS: the buildings are constructed of brick under a slate roof; Building 26 (also known as Grace Cottage) is rendered.

PLAN: the cottages are two storeys and are rectangular on plan oriented roughly north-west to south-east.

EXTERIOR: Grace Cottage is two storeys and constructed of brick rendered with stucco to create the effect of ashlar stone. It has a gabled roof, with two chimneys. It forms the southern part of the enclosed west yard of the mill complex., along with adjoining Building 21 which is unrendered.

The west elevation of Grace Cottage is a gable end and contains the principal entrance which is roughly central and is beneath a flat arch with stucco voussoirs. Directly to the south is a window opening containing a C20 sash under a segmental arch. Above at first floor is a larger window opening, containing a pair of six-over-six sashes.

The north elevation faces into the west yard and contains a further two doors and four window openings at ground level with C20 six-over-six sashes. On the first floor are two further windows, roughly at the centre of the building. Building 21 continues to the east with further openings and is partially obscured by C20 sheds (Building 20) projecting to the north.

The south elevation of the buildings faces the road with Grace Cottage containing a timber casement window situated roughly at the centre of the elevation with a very small six pane stair light at the east end of the building. To the east Building 21 has a C20 double door at its east end to access the electricity substation with C20 casements at ground and first floor. Scarring in the brickwork indicates the altering of the openings at ground level.

INTERIOR: the interior of Grace Cottage consists of rooms laid out in a linear format. The main entrance opens into a reception room with a dining room beyond. To the east is the building’s kitchen, store and stair leading to the first floor. On the first floor there is a corridor running along the south wall with this level containing three bedrooms and a bathroom.