Nestled in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales and the rolling hills of the White Peak, Cromford really is a special place. The Derwent Valley draws thousands of visitors every single year, but it's not just the scenic views that make Cromford famous - it's the history, too.
Sometimes known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, it was in Cromford in 1771 that Richard Arkwright built the world's first water-powered cotton mill. In fact, large parts of the village were built just to house the mill's workers, making Cromford home to the 'first factory housing development in the world.' The Mill buildings in Cromford are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 'one of the country's 100 irreplaceable sites' according to Historic England - it doesn't get much more exciting than that!
This design shows the Cromford Pond, built in 1785 to provide the main source of water to drive the mill's water wheels. A swan glides over the glossy surface, and across the lane is the historical Scarthin' Bookshop, first set up in the 1970s and still going strong. So whether you've a passion for old bookshops or for Britain's industrial history, why not brighten up your kitchen with this stunning tea towel?
