Visit Belper in the Derwent Valley

This is an area of friendly and welcoming communities, home to people with a strong sense of place and a deep pride in their heritage. With a tradition of entrepreneurs, creatives and independent traders, these are vibrant towns and villages which celebrate their history and community spirit through festivals of arts, music and food.

Here, the Strutt family created new industrial communities in a pastoral landscape, much of which still remains. The legacy of these pioneers is everywhere to be seen – in stone-built mills, weirs, workers’ cottages, allotments and public buildings – their revolutionary ideas reaching out across the globe.

Today, the community’s connection with landscape is strong. This place of wide valley views, rolling hills and a river which constantly shifts its mood – from powerful to serene – provides havens for wildlife and a sense of awe for the many who visit.

Standing at the northern entrance to Belper is the mill complex, once described as ‘the best in England’. The mill complex includes William Strutt’s North Mill of 1804. Although overshadowed by the vast East Mill of 1912, Strutt’s North Mill is far more noteworthy and remarkable, it was constructed using pioneering ‘fire proof’ technology.

Outside the mill, why not stop to experience the drama of the horseshoe weir? Along with the watercourses on the complex, it provided power to the mills, an engineering wonder of its day. Then, take a leisurely walk around the beautiful River Gardens, Belper’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’. These Edwardian Gardens with their promenade along the river were gifted to the town by the Strutt family in 1906.

Explore the streets of Belper town, the factory community created by the Strutts for their mill workers from the 1780s. Long Row, with its cobbled road (over the A6 from the mills) is a great place to start. Then, take a stroll around Belper town centre to discover many independent and traditional shops, and a range of eateries.

Following the river downstream, you will arrive at Milford, where Jedediah Strutt established his second cotton manufactory. Discover the remnants of the mill complex, and the cottages, church and school built to serve this industrial community.

When you’ve explored the key sites there are lots of hidden heritage gems in the area and other nearby heritage attractions to enjoy and explore.

Coming up in 2026 we have an exciting year long celebration of special anniversaries. Keep up to date as we plan for Belper 250 alongside our communities and groups.

Find out how to travel to this area on our ‘Getting there’ pages and find out more about accessibility in the Belper area here.