Derwent Aqueduct was built as part of the main canal in 1792 / 94 to get the canal over the River Derwent. The engineer was William Jessop and this was the first masonry aqueduct that he designed and built. It failed during construction with cracking due to mistakes in the design and construction methods.
Evidence of the remedial work can be seen in the form of two stepped buttresses to the south side and metal plates built into the spandrel walls. See if you can see the buttresses and metal plates.
In December 2001, the Derwent Valley Mills in Derbyshire was inscribed on the World Heritage List. This international designation confirms the outstanding importance of the area as the birthplace of the factory system where in the 18th Century water power was successfully harnessed for textile production.
Find out more information about the history of Cromford Canal here
You can also find out what else there is to see and do along the Cromford Canal here