Darley Abbey Village and Mills

Part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
During the 17th Century Darley Abbey became established as an industrial hamlet. By 1730 there were four separate water-powered mills. Today, the historical significance of Darley Abbey lies in the continued existence of the principal elements of the late 18th to early 19th century factory village that was developed by Thomas Evans (1723 - 1814). From around 1790, neat terraces of workers' houses were developed. the Four Houses in Mile Ash Lane, built by 1792, are the earliest known survivor of the cluster house type. Attached or adjacent to the houses were yards, allotments and outbuildings, including pigsties. The housing was innovative, being served by one of the country's first sewage disposal systems .
The Boar's Head Cotton Mill was founded by Thomas Evans on the east bank of the Derwent in 1782. It was one of the most important industrial enterprises of its time. The entire mill complex as we see it today - comprising five main mills and a series of dyeing and drying sheds, offices, stabling and domestic buildings - was completed by the 1830s.