Derwent Valley Mills is a World Heritage Site along the River Derwent in Derbyshire, England, designated in December 2001. The modern factory, or 'mill', system was born here in the 18th century to accommodate the new technology for spinning cotton developed by Richard Arkwright. The insertion of industrial establishments into a rural landscape meant the construction of housing for the mill workers.

The site consists of the communities of Cromford, Belper, Milford, Darley Abbey and Lombe's Mills, and it includes 867 listed buildings. A further nine structures are Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

At the Working Textile Museum at Richard Arkwright's Masson Mill, there are approximately 680,000 bobbins on display.

External links

• Derwent Valley Mills official webssite

Industrial Revolution | Museums in England | Scheduled Ancient Monuments in England | Visitor attractions in Derbyshire | World Heritage Sites in England