ABOUT THE SITE

Jedediah Strutt developed the mill site in 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 families to come and live in Belper so that their children would be available to work in the mills. This factory community is still intact today and contains many different house types, as well as a school, the Unitarian Chapel, and the River Gardens.

Strutt’s North Mill was destroyed by fire and rebuilt by William Strutt, Jedediah’s eldest son. He built it as an iron-framed fire-proof building, a form of construction which later influenced the building of modern skyscrapers. The impressive horseshoe weir and watercourse may be seen showing how the River Derwent was used to power the mills. That power changed from water power to steam power though Water still provides the power to supply electricity by means of a hydro-electric plant.

The Strutt mills and workers’ housing influenced the growth of Belper taking it from a village to a thriving industrial town. The Strutt family were benefactors to Belper for several generations providing for many of the town’s needs from piped water and street lighting, swimming baths and a post office.

Strutt's North Mill, Belper

Strutt's North Mill, BelperHow to make a booking

Contact Strutt’s North Mill, Belper on 01773 880474 or the Manager on 01773 822383, at any time.

Charges.

  • Half day: £2.50 per pupil; accompanying adults free.
  • Full day: £5.00 per pupil; accompanying adults free

Opening Times

Open to the general public at these times:

  • Winter: November to March weekends only, 1pm-5pm.
  • Summer: Wednesday to Sunday 1 pm-5 pm + Bank Holidays.

Open at any time for pre-booked school, college and university groups.

How to get there

By road – Strutt’s North Mill is located at the north end of Belper Town. Turn off the A6 Derby to Matlock road at the traffic lights onto the A517 to Ashbourne. Strutt’s North Mill is about 300m on the right. Coaches may drop school groups at the mill. Coaches may park across the river, a short safe and pleasant walk to the mill.

By train – Belper is on the line between Derby and Matlock. Trains stop at Belper station which is a 10 minute walk from Strutt’s North Mill. For train times contact Central Trains on 08457 48 49 50. Staff from Strutt’s North Mill will meet groups at the station and incorporate a tour of the millworkers’ houses built by the Strutt family for their workforce before arriving at Strutt’s North Mill.

By Bus – There are various bus services that run between Matlock and Derby including the Transpeak and the R61.

What is available for school groups?

  • Strutt’s North Mill in Belper is a five storey cotton mill. There is a museum on the ground floor and basement of the building that shows the development of the stocking industry and cotton spinning, and a display of working machinery including some original machines.
  • There are a wide range of tours available at Strutt’s North Mill to suit all ages and interests. Tours may include the museum, watercourse and mill yard, the workers’ houses and chapel, or the River Gardens. The tours can take various themes, including the river and its impact on the development of the town, Victorians, the working lives of men, women and children, and for older students, conservation or tourism. Children may dress up as millworkers and try their hand at spinning and knitting. There is a handling collection of artefacts and machines.
  • An example of a full day programme for Key Stage 2 children studying The Victorians could include a tour of the watercourses and the power created by the river. The children could then dress up as Victorian workers and a member of the mill staff will dress up as Mr Strutt or an overseer. The children will be told what is expected of them as millworkers and this will be followed by a tour of the mill. In the afternoon the children will handle Victorian artefacts. This will be followed by craft activities linked to fabrics and the children will make items to take home.

Site Highlights - Exploration and Discovery

  • Experience life as a cotton mill worker
  • Explore the watercourse and weir
  • Look into the wheelpit and see how big the mill wheel was
  • See how machinery developed and improved the production of textiles
  • Find out how the workers lived
  • Discover what made the mill fireproof
  • Have a go at knitting and spinning
  • Visit the River Gardens
  • See original machinery
  • See the portrait of William Strutt.
  • Visit the Unitarian Chapel built by the Strutt family and where many of the family are buried
  • Stop on Chevin Road above Belper for an overview of the mills and industrial settlement.

Provision for school groups

Lunch Facilities

If it is wet school groups may eat their packed lunches in a room in the mill. The museum staff can also arrange for the local MacDonalds café to deliver lunch to the mill.

If it is dry the children can eat their lunches in the River Gardens which are close by. The children could also have half an hour to explore and /or play in the gardens at lunchtime.

Equipment

Activity sheets are available by prior arrangement for key stage 1, 2 and 3 children.

Toilets

There are toilets available for school groups in the mill including one for wheelchair users.

Shop

There is a shop where many inexpensive items are available for the children to buy. There are many information books and leaflets that would help teachers plan a topic about the mill. A Family Activity Book called Famous People is also available. This book is intended to help families and school groups find out about all the famous people who began the Industrial Revolution in the Derwent Valley, including Jedediah and William Strutt.

Baggage Store

Bags and coats can be stored while the children are carrying out the various activities.