Where to Visit in the Derwent Valley

If you’re unsure where to visit in the Derwent Valley, we hope these pages will help you plan your trip to this special place, home to the internationally recognised Derwent Valley Mills, the only World Heritage Site in the East Midlands.

You can explore information for each area within the World Heritage site below.  In the north of the site ‘Visit Cromford and surrounding area‘ includes the historic village, Cromford Mills, Masson Mills, Cromford Canal, High Peak Junction, Leawood Pumphouse and more. In the centre of the site ‘Visit Belper and surrounding area‘ includes the town, the internationally important Belper North Mill, River Gardens and nearby Milford. In the south of the site ‘Visit Darley Abbey and Derby‘ includes the village complex at Darley Abbey, the wonderfully restored Darley Abbey Mills, the Museum of Making in the Silk Mill, the Museum and Art Gallery and more.

Whether you’re visiting for half a day, taking a weekend break, or having a well-deserved extended vacation, there are many attractions in the Derwent Valley Mills to stimulate your interest. Unlike some World Heritage Sites, ours is a place where people live and work and the majority of it is free and open for everyone to enjoy.

You can wander around the communities which were built up around the Mills by the wealthy millowners to house and provide for their workers. Cromford, Belper, Milford and Darley Abbey are the best places to discover these. They feature grand millowners’ houses and gardens, humble millworker cottages, allotments and parks, chapels and churches, schools and transport infrastructure. Remember, though, that people still live in these houses, and we would ask you to be respectful of that.

Of course, we have many Mills for you to choose from to visit, all with their own stories to tell. Read about those that are open to the public and find out about all they have to offer below.

What’s more, for those of you who love nothing more than walking in breath-taking countryside, the Derwent Valley is the perfect place to visit. Much of the 18th century rural landscape setting of the mills has survived, as the industry expanded away from our beautiful valley. Discover trails to follow, walking leaflets to show the way, and countless guided walks throughout the year.

If you’re wanting to stay for a night or more, you can check out all the different types of accommodation the area has to offer, and follow the link to book, via Visit Peak District and Derbyshire. or the Visit Derby pages.

Click here to download the new Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Visitor Guide