Access in the Belper area includes information on sites which you may want to visit as part of your trip to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. We have included information on sites which have had an accessibility audit as part of the Great Place Scheme. These were carried out by Accessible Derbyshire in 2019 and we have some funding available for the sites to make some more improvements over the next few months. Please do check here regularly to keep updated, or visit the individual attractions’ websites and contact them if you need more specific information.

Located in the market town of Belper, Strutt’s North Mill sits at the heart of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site which is recognised as the birthplace of the modern-day factory system. The current Strutt’s North Mill was built in 1804 following the loss of the original Mill on the site due to fire in 1803. The new Mill boasted a ‘fire-proof’ iron-frame, instead of timber and became a blueprint for future mill construction. In addition it was a template for modern skyscraper engineering. It is therefore recognised as one of the most important buildings from the industrial revolution in the world. The Mill, now a Grade 1 listed building, houses a museum and Visitor Centre operated by the Belper North Mill Trust. It is open to the general public and pre-booked groups and educational visits are also welcome.

General Accessibility Information

• Accessible parking available on level, solid car park surface.
• Level access to main entrance.
• Level area available in front of accessible entrance.
• Level threshold over entrance.
• Manoeuvring space available to opening edge of door.
• Lobby area clear of obstacles/ projections.
• Assistance dogs catered for, with water bowl available.
• There is a variety of seating available throughout the venue.
• There is a ‘Carer Goes Free’ and other concessions available.
• There is a suggestion book available.

Accessible Toilets

• Accessible toilet on site.
• The nearest Changing Place toilets are at Shipley Country Park and Lea Green.

Café Facilities

• The reception area only serves coffee, tea and biscuits.
• The tables have small tops and splayed legs.
• Flexible furniture is available on site.

Just-Ice is a social enterprise ethical artisan ice cream makers situated on the main A6 road at Milford.

The easy access, open plan venue is a great place to call in when visiting the World Heritage Site attractions or walking along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way.

The venue is a comfortable, child-friendly space to sit and relax and enjoy ethically sourced coffee, tea, breakfast, light lunches, homemade cakes and desserts and, of course, fabulous naturally produced artisan ice cream – a menu created using only locally sourced seasonal produce.

General Accessibility Information

• Clear defibrillator sign at entry point.
• Gluten, vegan meals and dairy free ice cream available.
• All dogs welcome.
• Bench seating and chairs without arms are available.
• Table reservations available.
• Table service available, if required.
• Menus are available online at www.just-ice.org/milford
• Flexible furniture throughout the venue

Car Parking and Entrance

• There is one marked disabled parking bay and 10 other parking spaces available, in the car park, which has a level solid surface.
• There is a slope from the car park at the back along the pavement to the main entrance.
• There are dropped kerbs at the entry points to the cafe.
• The venue is situated on the main A6 with a pedestrian crossing immediately outside the front door. Lighting is good.
• There is a slight lip over the threshold at the front door.
• There is a level area in front the double doors.
• There is currently no weather protection over the entrance.
• The front entrance doors are big enough to accommodate all wheelchair users (2060 mm)
• There is an activity space of at least 300mm to the opening edge of the front doors both inside and outside
• There are vision panels to the top half of doors.
• The lobby is clear of all obstacles and projections.

Accessible Toilet

• The outer door has a width of 750mm, which is below the minimum recommended width of 900mm.
• The toilet is a clever design that ‘extends’ by folding back a door to create a space measuring 1150mm by 1800mm, which is slightly below the recommended minimum.
• The door opens outwards.
• There is currently no grab rail on the inside of the toilet door.
• The toilet is a Right Hand transfer.
• There is 1800mm available in front of the toilet
• The toilet seat is at a height of 480mm.
• The sink is at a height of 700mm to the underside, and has lever taps.
• There is an electric hand dryer.
• Visual contrast in the cubicle is good.
• Emergency alarm system in the toilet.
• Nearest Changing Places toilets are at Shipley Country Park and at Lea Green.