Lombe's Mill

Lombe's Mill is a five-story brick building on an island in the River Derwent, with regularly spaced windows across its plain facade. The structure was designed for silk processing and contains a complex internal arrangement of machinery and power transmission systems.

The mill was founded in 1721 after its creator brought production techniques from northern Italy. It was the first of its kind in Britain and marked the start of mechanized silk manufacturing in the country.

The building carries the name of John Lombe, who brought silk production techniques here. You can see how the factory structure reflects the working methods of that era.

The location now operates as a Museum of Making with exhibitions about industrial processes. You should allow time to explore the different floors to understand the full scope of the facility.

The building was converted into a museum in 1974 and now displays how the original machinery operated. A distinctive feature is the water wheel system that powered all production for many years.

Location: City of Derby

Part of: Museum of Making

GPS coordinates: 52.92582,-1.47569

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02