Strutt’s North Mill – Belper 2026

At the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site stands Strutt’s North Mill. This building was the earliest fire-proof cotton spinning mill in the world when built by William Strutt in 1804 and technologically the most advanced. Its internal cast iron structure with ceramic arches is the forerunner of today’s skyscrapers and the hot air heating system and goods lift were leaders in their fields. Though not the first mill on the site, it was where the Strutt family made their great contribution to the Industrial Revolution and developed the town of Belper.

Today North Mill houses an award-winning museum which displays the history of cotton spinning and with early original and replica machinery, including the Hargreave’s Spinning Jenny, the Arkwright Water Frame and Crompton’s Spinning Mule. As Jedediah Strutt, William’s father, invented the ‘Derby Rib’ attachment to the knitting frame there is hose and tape knitting machinery and the great Brettles collection of silk and cotton hose with the many examples of chevening (a Derbyshire speciality).  The Strutt’s North Mill makes the perfect stop for all those interested in social and industrial history with the rows of splendid worker’s housing and the renowned River Gardens nearby.