Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site

Designated as a World Heritage Site in 2001, the Derwent Valley Mills have been described as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

Experience a charming blend of breathtaking natural scenery and fascinating industrial heritage in the Derwent Valley. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 2001, the Derwent Valley Mills have been described as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. It was here in the Derwent Valley that the essential ingredients of factory production were successfully combined. Water power was applied and successfully used for the first time on a relatively large scale. Not only was textile production revolutionised with dramatic consequences for the British economy, the Arkwright model also informed and inspired developments in other industries.
Each mill has its own story to tell. Theirs is the story of pioneering engineers and entrepreneurs who put Britain on the map and set off a chain of events which ushered in the Industrial Revolution. The mills and the industrial settlements around them, the churches, millponds, weirs and watercourses provide the perfect backdrop for a summer outing or a winter break. Come and see for yourself why this part of Derbyshire has been designated a World Heritage Site.