Summary of the Mill

The best place to learn the history of the mill is on a tour but below is a brief introduction

Summary of the Mill

Jedediah Strutt developed the mill site at Belper from 1776, harnessing the power of the River Derwent to drive his mills. Subsequent generations of Strutts continued to develop and improve the site. It continued as a working textile mill until 1991. It was necessary for the Strutt family to build an infrastructure to encourage workers to come and live in Belper to work in the mills and this factory community is still intact today showing many different styles of mill workers houses.

Strutt�s North Mill was destroyed by fire and rebuilt by William Strutt (Jedediah�s eldest son) as an ironframed, �fireproof� building and influenced the building of the modern skyscraper buildings of today.

The beautiful horseshoe weir and watercourse may be seen showing how the River Derwent was used to power the mills and how that power changed from water to steam and how the water still provides power today by means of a hydro electric plant.

The Strutt mills and workers housing complex influenced the growth of Belper taking it from a small settlement to a thriving industrial town. The Strutt family were benefactors to Belper for several generations providing for many of the towns needs from piped water and street lighting to war memorials and Post Office.

There is a great deal more to discover in interesting and well-planned fun sessions.

Costs>>