Visit
Wirksworth is a historic market town in the Derbyshire Dales with a strong and distinctive contemporary arts community. The town has long attracted artists and makers, and today its independent galleries, studios, exhibitions and creative spaces sit alongside a rich architectural and industrial heritage. A visit to the gallery offers an opportunity to encounter contemporary art within this particular setting, away from the scale and pace of larger cultural centres.
There is plenty to explore beyond the gallery, from the town’s historic streets and buildings to its independent cafés, shops and other creative spaces. The surrounding landscape is equally important to Wirksworth’s character, with the former industrial sites, limestone hills and network of footpaths providing a striking context for the town. Whether visiting specifically for an exhibition or making a wider day of it, Wirksworth offers a rewarding setting for engaging with contemporary art.
Find Us
Haarlem Artspace Gallery
Haarlem Artspace Gallery is located in the historic Red Lion building on Market Place, at the heart of Wirksworth. The gallery occupies a prominent position within the town’s historic centre, surrounded by the independent shops, cafés and architectural character of Wirksworth.
The gallery is open during exhibitions, Friday–Sunday, 12–5pm or by appointment. Please check the individual exhibition listing for dates and any changes to opening hours.
Haarlem Artspace Gallery
The Red Lion
Market Place
Wirksworth
Derbyshire
DE4 4ET
Haarlem Artspace Studios
Haarlem Studios is home to a community of artists working across a range of contemporary practices.
Outside of Open Studio events, the studios are not open to the public, but we actively encourage visits from curators and other arts professionals — please contact us to arrange an appointment.
Haarlem Studios
Haarlem Mill
Derby Road
Wirksworth
Derbyshire
DE4 4BG
Getting Here
Wirksworth is well connected by road and public transport, with regular bus services and nearby rail connections at Cromford and Whatstandwell. The gallery and studios are both within easy reach of the town centre, with the gallery on Market Place and Haarlem Studios at Haarlem Mill on Derby Road.
Parking around Haarlem Artspace, which is located at The Red Lion on Market Place in the centre of Wirksworth, is limited, so visitors are advised to use nearby public car parks where possible. The closest option is Market Place Car Park - DDDC, while Barmote Croft Car Park - DDDC on Chapel Lane provides another convenient alternative. On busy days town-centre parking can become very limited, so allowing extra time and considering car parks on the edge of town is advisable. Haarlem Artspace is within the historic centre, making the gallery easily reached on foot from these parking areas.
Accessibility Statement
Haarlem Artspace is committed to making our exhibitions and programmes as accessible and inclusive as possible. The gallery is located on the first floor of a Grade II listed building and is currently accessible only via a single flight of stairs. There is no lift or step-free access, meaning the main exhibition space is not currently accessible to wheelchair or mobility scooter users, or to visitors who are unable to use stairs safely. The historic nature of the building and current financial constraints mean that structural changes are not presently possible.
We are committed to supporting access in other ways. If you have specific access requirements or would like to discuss a visit, please contact us in advance and we will do our best to help. We can provide exhibition information and materials in alternative formats, including large print and digital copies, and can advise on quieter times to visit. Carers and companions are welcome. We are also continuing to explore alternative ways of presenting our programme and supporting visitors who cannot access the gallery space.
If you have any questions about accessibility, would like information in an alternative format, or encounter a barrier that is not described here, please contact kris@haarlemartspace.co.uk. We welcome feedback and use it to help us improve the accessibility of our programme, communications and visitor experience. We aim to respond to accessibility enquiries within 5–7 working days.