Cromford and Belper: Where the Factory Began
East Midlands, England
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Derwent Valley Industrial Pioneer
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300
XP
1 day
Cromford and Belper: Where the Factory Began
300 XP
In 1771 Richard Arkwright began the first successful water-powered cotton-spinning mill at Cromford, and the Derwent valley became the birthplace of the factory system. Downstream at Belper, Jedediah Strutt's mills carried it on; the North Mill that stands today was rebuilt by his son William in 1804 as one of the first iron-framed fireproof mills. The mills from Matlock Bath to Derby became a World Heritage Site in 2001.
Required Activities
1
of 3
Visit Cromford Mills, Richard Arkwright's mill of 1771, the first successful water-powered cotton-spinning mill
2
of 3
Explore William Strutt's North Mill in Belper, rebuilt in 1804, part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site listed in 2001
3
of 3
Walk round the mill yard at Cromford and find out how the factory system started here
Visit Cromford Mills, Richard Arkwright's mill of 1771, the first successful water-powered cotton-spinning mill
Explore William Strutt's North Mill in Belper, rebuilt in 1804, part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site listed in 2001
Walk round the mill yard at Cromford and find out how the factory system started here
Before you go
Strutt's North Mill museum opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from March to October.
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XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
300 XP
Potential total
300 XP
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