Cromford Mills
Cromford Mills is a former cotton spinning factory and museum in Derbyshire Dales, featuring historic buildings arranged around a cobbled courtyard. The site includes machinery displays and historical exhibits, two cafes offering light refreshments, and small shops selling handmade goods and local crafts.
Sir Richard Arkwright built the mill in 1771 and invented the waterframe, a machine that allowed cotton to be spun on an industrial scale for the first time. This invention launched the factory system and became central to the Industrial Revolution.
The mills were built by Sir Richard Arkwright to house workers and transform cottage industries into large factories. Visitors can see the village structures created to support the workforce and understand how this early factory system shaped community life and labor practices of the time.
The site is open daily with accessible parking and toilets, though some paths are cobbled and uneven underfoot. Dogs are welcome, and there are picnic areas and free Wi-Fi available throughout the grounds.
The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Derwent Valley Mills and is run by passionate volunteers who tell its stories. Visitors can explore the carefully maintained buildings and green spaces along the river without paying any entry fee, making it freely accessible to all.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
