Information
- Address: Strutt’s North Mill, Archway House, Bridgefoot, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1YD
- Contact number: 01773 880474
- Email: info@belpernorthmill.org.uk
- Website: https://www.belpernorthmill.org.uk/
- Prices: Wednesdays and Saturdays with select Bank Holidays, from Easter to October. £7.50 per adult, with accompanied children under the age of 14 going free!
- Opening hours: “Strutt Around the Mill” Tours pre-bookable on the website
About this attraction
What’s Happening at Strutt’s North Mill?
Go along to Strutt’s North Mill and take a guided tour of the mill site to discover the history of cotton spinning in the heart of the Derwent Valley. Learn the story of the Strutt family who transformed the town from a small hamlet of cottage industry into an industrial mill town, and how this affected the lives of their workers. Whether you’re joining a local heritage walk, listening to a fascinating history talk or taking part in a workshop, there’s plenty happening at the mill.
About Belper Mills
Belper stands within the heart of the internationally important Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Alongside the mills in Derby, Darley Abbey, Cromford and Matlock, the area was recognised by UNESCO in 2001 for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution.
Built by the Strutt family, the mills harnessed water power from the River Derwent to drive the machines needed for spinning cotton. Although the first mill was built in 1776, it is the North Mill of 1804, designed by William Strutt, that utilised a revolutionary fire-proof construction that is now seen as the forerunner to modern skyscrapers. Many more mills were built on the site that were sadly demolished in the mid 20th Century, but William’s celebrated Grade I listed North Mill still remains alongside the imposing English Sewing Cotton Company’s East Mill of 1912, and the high quality housing built for their workers.
The Belper North Mill Trust is a charitable organisation that aims to keep the history of Belper and the mills alive. The museum that has operated in the North Mill for over 25 years had to close its doors to the public in 2022. However, to keep sharing the amazing heritage of Belper Mills, the organisation operates guided tours of the site from their base at Archway House at the rear of the North Mill.
Head to the website to see the latest news, opening times and to book tickets.
Group bookings for tours, walks and talks are available on request.
Free parking on site for visitors if validated at Archway House.
