A picturesque Peak District village in Derbyshire, gained worldwide fame when its railway station appeared on Oasis’s ‘Some Might Say’ single cover – the band’s first number one hit
A quaint Derbyshire village nestled at the edge of the Peak District may seem like a typical old hamlet, but upon closer inspection, it’s more familiar than you might realise.
Historically, this place is renowned for its role in the industrial revolution, with Sir Richard Arkwright establishing the world’s first water-powered cotton mill there. From 1771 onwards, Cromford emerged as a trailblazer for factory systems, fostering an entire community of industrialisation that remains accessible for exploration today. However, it’s not this history that makes the now-defunct railway station in the village centre recognisable to many. Oasis fans worldwide will identify this building as the train station featured on the cover of the band’s first number one hit, Some Might Say.
The album cover depicts famous brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher standing at Cromford railway station, situated right in the heart of the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire, during the winter months. Liam can be seen on the bridge, saluting the camera, while Noel is on the platform edge, holding a watering can.
But the burning question is, why did they select this station, so distant from their native Manchester and seemingly unrelated to the song? The answer lies in the station’s history – it fell victim to the cuts of the 1960s when it was part of a main line between London and Manchester, before its closure in 1968. This left the remainder of the line as a single-track railway, rendering their waiting room and platform completely derelict with no purpose. Consequently, it provided the ideal location for the Gallagher brothers’ photoshoot without any train disruptions.
Graphic designer and art director Brian Cannon, who helped create the cover, explained to the BBC that the entire artistic concept hinged on using a disused station. He said: “The idea was if you’re standing at a disused station waiting for a train, you’re in need of education, which is the next line of the song.”
The lyric he references is: “Cause I’ve been standing at the station, in need of education in the rain.” Alongside photographer Michael Spencer Jones, they dismissed numerous other stations before settling on Cromford.
The station remains standing today as a Grade II listed structure owned by Network Rail and overseen daily by East Midlands Railway. Tucked behind the waiting room sits a stunning house that was previously neglected but has since been purchased and transformed into a magnificent residence with quite spectacular views.
Beyond this, holidaymakers often flock to the renowned Cromford Mills, celebrated for their significant role in Britain’s industrial revolution. The site provides a guided tour that delves into the rich history of the building and the Midlands’ pioneering early days that had a profound influence globally.