The tall building on the right is the four-storey West Mill built in 1821. A mill constructed using advanced cast iron structural techniques – note the ‘tromp l’oeil’ windows painted on the wall of this building, carefully added to visually ‘balance’ the building when seen from a distance.
In the foreground is the Darley’s restaurant which was once the mill canteen.
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.
Darley Abbey contains the most complete of any of the cotton factory sites within the Derwent Valley.
Find out more information about the history of Darley Abbey here.
You can also find out what else there is to see and do in Darley Abbey here.