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Masson Mills is a historic textile mill located in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. It holds a key place in the history of the Industrial Revolution and the development of the modern factory system.
Richard Arkwright, an English inventor and leading entrepreneur, founded Cromford Mills in 1771 — often cited as the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. However, the very success of Cromford led to new challenges — it couldn’t meet the growing demands of Arkwright’s expanding business.
His solution was to build a second, larger mill: Masson Mills, constructed in 1783, just a few miles down the Derwent River. Made from brick and gritstone, Masson Mills was not only bigger but also more technologically advanced than Cromford. It followed the same engineering principles — using water wheels powered by the River Derwent — but benefited from lessons learned, with a more efficient layout and better use of workspace.
Local workers, many living in purpose-built cottages in Matlock Bath and surrounding villages, kept the mill running. Although the setting was more scenic than Cromford, working conditions remained intense. Together, Cromford and Masson marked a turning point in industrial history. They symbolised the birth of the modern factory system and laid the foundations for urban industrial growth, factory towns, and mass production.
Following Arkwright’s death in 1792, the mill passed to his son, Richard Arkwright Jr., who continued to develop the business and expand operations. But by the 1990s, global competition and the shift to overseas manufacturing had taken their toll. Textile production at Masson Mills was no longer economically viable.
Soon after, the site was redeveloped into the Masson Mills Shopping Village and Working Textile Museum. However, a major event was on the horizon. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Masson Mills was forced to close in March 2020 during the first national lockdown. A report in October of that year confirmed the closure was permanent, ending 21 years of trading. Since then, the site has evolved and in 2022, the Derwent Hydro group run by the Needle family acquired the mill.
Today, Masson Mills stands as a powerful symbol of Britain’s industrial heritage.
It has entered a new phase focused on conservation, education, and renewable energy. The mill still harnesses the power of the River Derwent through hydroelectric turbines, linking past innovation with sustainable technology.
Now under local private ownership, Masson Mills is being carefully restored and reimagined — with a strong emphasis on heritage preservation and community engagement.
Masson Mills may no longer spin cotton, but it continues to weave together the threads of the Industrial Revolution, British innovation, and a renewed sense of purpose in the 21st century.
At the time of my visit, the shopping centre had ceased trading. The mill, however, still operated as an operational museum, and had a lovely little Cafe at it's entrance from the front of the building.
Free Parking around the mill is pretty difficult to find so I parked on the multi-story carpark attached to the mill. You pay online, or like I did, you can go to the cafe to pay. If you eat at the cafe they give you one hours parking for free (which is all I needed).
The town of Matlock Bath is just around the corner where there is a lot to see and do!
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Co-ordinates: 53.11235, -1.561875 • what3words: ///packets.shifters.operating
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