Belper Heritage Centre

About the museum

Belper Heritage Centre is housed in St John’s Chapel on The Butts, which is regarded as the oldest building in Belper. The simple stone chapel dates from about 1250 and was built by William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby. At that time Belper was a village in Duffield Frith, one of the royal forests used for hunting by the medieval kings of England. For more than seven centuries the chapel was the centre of religious and social life, with services that changed between Catholic, Anglican and Puritan as rulers and local leaders decided.

The eastern part of the chapel now holds the heritage centre, while Belper Town Council uses the other end of the building as its offices. The centre has an exhibition of objects and old photographs of Belper set up by the Belper Historical Society, illustrating different aspects of the town’s history. Visitors can also walk around the outside of the chapel or sit quietly in the nave.

Highlights

• Medieval St John’s Chapel from about 1250, the oldest building in Belper
• Old photographs and objects showing the history of Belper
• Exhibition prepared by the Belper Historical Society
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• History of Belper – An exhibition of objects and old photographs of Belper, set up by the Belper Historical Society, showing aspects of the town’s past.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Belper Town Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access details are not published. The building is a medieval chapel; visitors can phone the town council beforehand.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The heritage centre is in St John’s Chapel on The Butts, in a quiet corner of Belper.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.