Industrial Buildings and Features
World Heritage Site Listing
The Derwent Valley, with Derby at is head has a unique and valuable place in world history. It was in Derby in the early 18th century that John and Thomas Lombe established arguably the first factory which utilised a common power source and organised the workers around this. This led to Arkwight establishing his mills at Cromford and Masson some years later and to numerous other developments along the Derwent Valley, such as at Darley Abbey and at Belper.
In 2001 the importance of the area as the bithplace of the factory system and its pivotal role in the industrial revolution of the 19th century, was officially recognised when it was granted World Heritage Status.
A detailed description of the area and its inscription can be found at Derwent Valley Mills
Silk Mill
Brittania Mill
This was one of the later mills to be erected along the Markeaton Brook, being erected in 1912 by the firm of Moore, Eady & Murcott. They specialised in the making of high quality knitwear, something new to the town at the time. The company managed to survive until the 1970s.
Happily the building found another role – as the home of the universities arts department and survives in this role to the present day.
Bath Street Mill
This imposing Industrial building was originally a silk mill, founded around 1848 by George Holme. It was extended to its current impressive size in 1868 and, at one time, it had its own railway sidings – the Friargate line running right next to the building.
George Holmes' firm survived until about 1920 and the building was then let to a succession of different businesses. Although, technically protested by its inclusion in the World Heritage Site, the building has lain empty for some time now and its future is uncertain.
**Tragically, on 16th June 2009 this beautiful 150 year old building was totally destroyed by fire. Details can be found at the Derby Evening Telegraph website
The Maltings, Manchester Street
Rykneld Mill
Tape Mill, Markeaton Brook (Demolished)
Boars Head Mills (Darley Abbey Mills)
