There are many places in the World, which claim to be the birth place of the industrial revolution and Arkwright’s Mill in Cromford, near Matlock Derbyshire, certainly has the right to be on that list as it is regarded widely as the birthplace of the modern factory or ‘mill’ system.
In 1771, Richard Arkwright developed the World’s first water powered cotton spinning mill. The mill was sited on the banks of the River Derwent at Cromford, with the river being used to power the mill.
Around the Mill grew the village of Cromford, which is part of Matlock District, which includes Matlock, Matlock Bath and Darley Dale.
The original population of the village were drawn to Cromford by the mill and the promise of work, and Arkwright provided the accommodation for that workforce and through continued advancements in technology it was that workforce that enabled near continuous production of cotton from the Mill.
It wasn’t long before other business men copied Arkwright’s concept of harnessing the power of water and by 1788 there were over 200 similar mills in Britain.
The site of Arkwright’s Mill in Cromford is now regarded as the main attraction of a much larger UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Derwent Valley Mills. The World Heritage site takes in a number of locations along the River Derwent including mills in Belper and Derby.
A visit to Cromford near Matlock, should be accompanied by a stroll into the village of Cromford, where you will find evidence of the industrialisation of the area including the workers cottages along the main street and North Street. North Street itself is a fascinating street containing two rows of three storey worker’s cottages with basements.
In the village itself you will find two or three pubs, including the Boat Inn, where you will find good value meals and good ale and further along the road from the Boat on Scarthin, you will find Scarthin Books, well worth a visit and opposite the bookshop the picturesque mill pond.
If you are looking for holiday accommodation in Matlock, Derbyshire area then we have a variety of properties to choose from ranging from Brookside Retreat, a one bedroom luxury self catering cottage near Matlock, Derbyshire, or there’s The Haven, a fully refurbished luxury self catering holiday cottage near Matlock in the Derbyshire Peak District.
If there’s three of you then we have Two Owls Lodge, a two bedroom self catering holiday cottage near Matlock, Derbyshire and then there’s The Haven, a luxury holiday cottage Derbyshire with hot tub.
If you have a large family or are looking to celebrate a special occasion then we may have the perfect answer. The Escape is a fantastic 5 bedroom luxury holiday cottage Derbyshire with hot tub and sleeps 10+. The Escape comes with a games room with pool table and darts board, and alongside the covered hot tub is a barbeque and large outdoor dining table.
