
Derwent Valley Mills, England
An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with articles for senior couples and mature solo travellers on a small group tour to England seeking to explore Queen Victoria’s Britain and the industrial revolution.
Our tour of Derwent Valley Mills offers a unique opportunity to experience an industrial landscape that would become the model for textile factories throughout the world in subsequent centuries.
Designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2001, the site runs along 15 miles of the river valley, which stretches from Matlock Bath to Derby. The Cromford Canal and the High Peak Railway are also included in the World Heritage Site.
The complex of buildings at the site provide some well-preserved examples of the world’s first modern factory buildings. Although the buildings have undergone restoration work, this has been done with detailed research in order to ensure the integrity of the site and authenticity to its history.
Though initially the area was dominated by the throwing of silk, it was not until Richard Arkwright’s first cotton spinning mill was built in 1771, harnessing the local water power, that the cotton industry was truly established, ensuring the socio-economic development of the district on a great scale.
The importance of the industry to the local community is further demonstrated in the construction of watercourses, canal network, the local railway, and Ladybower Reservoir, all built to serve the community working in the textile industry. Ladybower is surrounded by beautiful countryside and visitors can enjoy a stroll or cycle around its many walking routes.
Whilst the site benefitted the wider community, there were of course individuals who benefited specifically from the area’s wealth; the Evans Dynasty saw several generations of the Evans family develop interest in Derwent Valley’s milling community, specifically at Darley Abbey, from the 18th century right up until the 20th.
This fascinating site is further complimented by other nearby landmarks showcasing the heritage of the Midlands. Natural water resource is further exploited in nearby Buxton, home to St. Ann’s well, fed by the geothermal spring bottled and sold by Buxton Mineral Water. The county town of Matlock, which appears in the Domesday Book, has also benefited hugely from its natural thermal springs.
Haddon Hall is a combined Medieval and Tudor building, dating back nine hundred years. The National Tramway Museum at Crich runs its collection of trams through a reconstructed village setting, demonstrating tram heritage and history from cities across the UK in the early to mid-20th century.
Articles about England published by Odyssey Traveller.
- The London Underground
- Victorian Women’s Fashion
- Queen Victoria’s Britain, Part 1 and Part 2
- Understanding British Churches
- Studying Gargoyles and grotesques
- Georgian Architecture
- London’s Victorian Architecture
For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.
External articles to assist you on your visit to England.
- National Parks UK
- William the Conqueror (History.com)
- Queen Victoria
- The Royal Parks of London
- The Royal Mausoleum
Related Tours
-
England’s villages small group history tours for mature travellers
Guided tour of the villages of England. The tour leader manages local guides to share their knowledge to give an authentic experience across England. This trip includes the UNESCO World heritage site of Avebury as well as villages in Cornwall, Devon, Dartmoor the border of Wales and the Cotswolds.
19 days -
Scotland small group tour | Tracing 5,000 years of history
This guided tour of Scotland with a tour leader and local guides includes the isle of Skye, Orkney islands, the Scottish highlands with breathtaking scenery. Edinburgh including the royal mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Fort William, Urquhart castle, Stirling castle, loch lomond, Hadrians wall and New Lanark also a UNESCO World heritage site.
22 days -
World of Shakespeare | Small Group Tour
This small group tour for mature couples and solo travellers visits Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford upon Avon and Anne Hathaway’s cottage all form part of this small group tour escorted by a tour director and local guides sharing their knowledge on this guided tour. Included are performances in London at the Globe & RSC in Shakespeare’s Stratford upon Avon.
10 days -
Canals and Railways in the Industrial Revolution Tour | Tours for Seniors in Britain
A small group tour of Wales, Scotland & England that traces the history of the journey that is the Industrial revolution. Knowledgeable local guides and your tour leader share their history with you on this escorted tour including Glasgow, London, New Lanark & Manchester, Liverpool and the Lake district.
23 days -
Agrarian and Industrial Britain | Small Group Tour for Mature Travellers
A small group tour of England that will explore the history of Agrarian and Industrial period. An escorted tour with a tour director and knowledgeable local guides take you on a 22 day trip to key places such as London, Bristol, Oxford & York, where the history was made.
23 days -
Scottish Islands and Shetland small group tours for seniors
An escorted small group tour for couples and solo travellers of the Scottish isles including the isle of Skye draws on local guides to share their knowledge of the destinations in this unique part of Scotland. UNESCO world heritage site are visited as breathtaking scenery and authentic experiences are shared in a group of like minded people on this guided tour of remote Scotland.
20 days -
Ireland and Lake District walking small group tour
A guided small group tour for senior walkers that starts in the capital of Ireland, Dublin. This escorted tour with local guides also explores the Giant’s causeway, a UNESCO World heritage site. It transfers from Ireland to Scotland to head to walk in the National park of the Lake district.
-
Opera Tour Europe | Theatre-Opera-Ballet and Classical Music Small Group Tour for Seniors
This 22-day small group program visits the major arts centres of Hamburg, Amsterdam, Paris, and London. We travel in winter avoiding crowds and enjoy a different perspective of the places visited. At Odyssey Traveller we have sought to assemble entry and show tickets to what many will consider the best arts experiences available in those cities during each program.
22 days