24 hours in the
MORNING
Start at the newly opened Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill, where the
juxtaposition of the 17th-century red brick mill with modern steel and glass
extensions refl ects the area’s ingenuity. It’s the world’s fi rst fully mechanised
factory: galleries document the 300-year-old silk throwing process, while
the hardware of a Rolls-Royce aero engine shows more modern innovation.
Then, amble through Darley Park, which hugs the banks of the River
Derwent as it winds through the city centre. At the Darley Abbey Mills
complex, meander along cobbled lanes through historic brick buildings.
Pick up a coff ee and a fi lled cob (bread roll) at The Shed, or drop into Darley’s
for gourmet delights such as roast pheasant with pumpkin.
AFTERNOON
The seeds of the Industrial Revolution were sown in the village of Cromford,
a half-hour drive north of Derby. It was here that Richard Arkwright built the
world’s fi rst water-powered cotton mill — and changed the course of history.
This story is told today in a visitor centre, housed in the restored mill.
The wharf running near the mill complex once carried coal and limestone
for the furnaces. Today, it’s a serene place, and for another perspective on
the valley, hop onboard Birdswood, a narrow boat that plies the Cromford
Canal. Back on terra fi rma, get a drink at the Greyhound, a Georgian coaching
inn where Arkwright and his associates did business by candlelight.
EVENING
Before the evening light dims, head to the Belper River Gardens, where
pretty fl owerbeds and an Edwardian bandstand provide a gentle contrast
to the austere mills. For dinner, choose Arthur’s, a beloved bistro where the
seasonal menu includes classic British off erings like cullen skink alongside
imaginative desserts such as roast chestnut ice cream.
Film and history buff s will relish the chance to combine their passions at
the Ritz Cinema, housed in a 19th-century building. Once a court, theatre
and meeting room, the Ritz has been showing fi lms since 1919, ranking it
among the country’s oldest and most atmospheric cinemas.
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage site along Derbyshire’s
Derwent Valley. The industrial revolution was born in these
factories, which have now been converted into museums,
restaurants and cafes. Here’s how a perfect day might unfold
IMAGE:^JEN^MILESDerwent
Valley Mills
READ MORE AT
DERWENTVALLEYMILLS.ORG| PAID CONTENT FOR DERWENT VALLEY MILLS WORLD HERITAGE SITE