Haarlem Mill

Haarlem Mill is a four-story brick structure located along the River Ecclesbourne with a distinctive rounded frontage. The building rests on an original stone base with three reconstructed upper levels, and a separate three-story warehouse with 17 windows stands within the complex.

Richard Arkwright acquired the site in 1777 and transformed the existing corn mill into a cotton facility that employed around 200 workers by 1780. The site marks a pivotal moment when water power began giving way to early steam technology in textile production.

The mill represents the shift from craft production to machine-driven manufacturing in the region. Visitors can observe how the building layout still reflects the practical needs of industrial textile work.

The site is located on Derby Road and is easily accessible. The buildings have been converted to office use in recent times, so viewing is possible from outside or by arrangement.

It was the first cotton mill in the world to install a steam engine, equipped with a 26-foot beam and an 18-foot diameter flywheel. This machine was a groundbreaking demonstration that steam power could work effectively in textile production.

Location: Wirksworth

GPS coordinates: 53.06990,-1.57767

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:47