Cromford

It was at Cromford that Sir Richard Arkwright established his first ( and the world's first ) water - powered cotton - spinning mill in 1769, the river |Derwent providing an ample power supply. The original mill survives, minus its top two storeys, and is open to the public daily. In partnership with Jedediah Strutt his business became so successful he built a model village with a church, a hotel for travellers, a market place, a lock - up and accommodation for his workers. These older terraced houses are mostly 3 - storied, the upper floor used by stocking - knitting frame workers, and have inter - connecting doors creating galleries where operatives could quickly go to the aid of their colleagues. Arkwright was also one of the instigators of the Cromford Canal, the then most efficient means of carrying goods from this mineral - rich area. Although only navigable a few miles today, the canal became the important link with the East Midlands and the rest of the countrywide canal network. Fed partly by a culvert draining old lead mines beyond Cromford, the canal also relied on water pumped from the river Derwent. The steam - operated Leawood Pump - house with its distinctive chimney is now restored and is run on advertised days. The preserved Cornish - type beam engine is the last surviving plunger pump in the country and is worth a visit on a "steaming" day.

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