Peak District Travel - Belper
Situated at the foot of the Peak District, Belper was a very small village, part of the Royal Forest and mainly concerned with making nails, until the Industrial Revolution arrived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when its population rapidly increased. It is the legacy of that Industrial Revolution that attracts many of the visitors to the town today.
Also its location at the foot of the Peak District also means that Belper is ideally situated for Peak District holidays and breaks.
Finding somewhere to stay while in the area can be a bit of a task though in the popular months as the Peak District is the most visited national park in the world.
Fortunately there is a good choice of Peak District B&Bs (bed and breakfast) accommodation as well some absolutely delightful Peak District Holiday Cottages to stay in both here and in the other towns and villages in the area
Jedediah Strutt and his family were the predominant developers of the industrial Belper, building in total 5 water powered cotton mills.
The North Mill, the building of which commenced in 1776, was destroyed by fire in 1803, and its replacement is the only remaining example of the early mills, now being used as the base of the Derwent Valley Visitors Centre.
This evocative environment now offers a fascinating insight into the communities of that era. This is the place for every schoolboy and girl to actually see Hargreaves’s Spinning Jenny, Arkwright’s Water Frame and Crompton’s Mule, having heard about them for so long.
The North Mill was considered to be a technological marvel: it had a fire proof structure – in its second incarnation – as well as warm air central heating, believe it or not.
The large 7 storey mill that now dominates the town was built much later, in 1912, and finally finished its production in the late 20th century.
Beneath the mill complex there is a splendid example of a stone bridge from 1795, spanning the Derwent in its attractive natural setting, and notice the crescent shaped waterfall as well.
Strangely, perhaps, another feature that is unusual in Belper is the deep railway cutting, a mile long, which is crossed by 10 bridges. Designed and built by George Stevenson in 1838, this was thought to be a masterpiece of engineering when it was built.
Perhaps even stranger is that there is a tradition of fine actors originating here as well – Timothy Dalton, Suzy Kendall and Tracy Shaw (Maxine Peacock to Corrie lovers) were all brought up and educated in the town.
Tags: Family Vacations
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