History
Milford was named for its river-crossing, on an ancient route from Derby to the Peak district. The power of the Derwent was used from medieval times to run a corn-mill, dying and fulling mills, and iron and scythe forges. Jedediah Strutt, a farmer turned hosier, recognized the potential of the site. Inventor of the Derby rib machine, Strutt owned a Derby silk mill, and had set up cotton mills in Belper.
In 1781, he bought land in Milford to build a cotton spinning mill. It was one of a series of textile milles constructed on the Derwent between Matlock and Derby during the Industrial Revolution.
These pioneering developments, which included the creation of new communities to house and cater for the workforce they required, are now recognizes as being of international importance.
The Milford Mill complex eventually included spinning, bleaching and dying mills, as well as foundries, joiners’ workshops, a gas-works and a corn-mill. The Warehouse, constructed in 1793, was an early attempt by William Strutt, Jedediah’s eldest son. To design a fire-proof multi-storey structure. Later, and more successful, attempts at fire-proofing are embodies in the Dyehouse building, near the bridge. Whilst almost all the early mill buildings were demolished in the 1950s and ‘60s, much of the associated industrial housing has survived. Many of these houses were built by the Strutts, from the late 18th century onwards, transforming Milford from a riverside hamlet into a company village. The Strutts also built the school, created several farms to supply produce for their workers, helped establish the village’s various religious and social buildings.
The Future
The new owners of the Milford Mill complex, Chevin Homes, have recently put in a planning application to Amber Valley Borough Council (AVA/2020/1199) to demolish the industrial buildings on the site by the end of 2021.
The old Dye House ,the stone buildings facing the A6 and the chimney are all listed and are not to be demolished. In the latest planning application they are planned to be converted into offices and retail units. Also in this application the remaining more modern warehouses, which cover the bulk of the rest of the site and have been derelict for some time, will be demolished and 69 houses built in their place.
The Explore
Milford mill was a pretty easy and relaxed explore and compared to some old industrial sites there is still plenty to see here which was nice.
Even managed to get inside the chimney for a quick shot.
Sadly though it looks as if time has finally been called on this 1.
As stated above current owners plan to clear the site by the end of the year
View attachment
Milford was named for its river-crossing, on an ancient route from Derby to the Peak district. The power of the Derwent was used from medieval times to run a corn-mill, dying and fulling mills, and iron and scythe forges. Jedediah Strutt, a farmer turned hosier, recognized the potential of the site. Inventor of the Derby rib machine, Strutt owned a Derby silk mill, and had set up cotton mills in Belper.
In 1781, he bought land in Milford to build a cotton spinning mill. It was one of a series of textile milles constructed on the Derwent between Matlock and Derby during the Industrial Revolution.
These pioneering developments, which included the creation of new communities to house and cater for the workforce they required, are now recognizes as being of international importance.
The Milford Mill complex eventually included spinning, bleaching and dying mills, as well as foundries, joiners’ workshops, a gas-works and a corn-mill. The Warehouse, constructed in 1793, was an early attempt by William Strutt, Jedediah’s eldest son. To design a fire-proof multi-storey structure. Later, and more successful, attempts at fire-proofing are embodies in the Dyehouse building, near the bridge. Whilst almost all the early mill buildings were demolished in the 1950s and ‘60s, much of the associated industrial housing has survived. Many of these houses were built by the Strutts, from the late 18th century onwards, transforming Milford from a riverside hamlet into a company village. The Strutts also built the school, created several farms to supply produce for their workers, helped establish the village’s various religious and social buildings.
The Future
The new owners of the Milford Mill complex, Chevin Homes, have recently put in a planning application to Amber Valley Borough Council (AVA/2020/1199) to demolish the industrial buildings on the site by the end of 2021.
The old Dye House ,the stone buildings facing the A6 and the chimney are all listed and are not to be demolished. In the latest planning application they are planned to be converted into offices and retail units. Also in this application the remaining more modern warehouses, which cover the bulk of the rest of the site and have been derelict for some time, will be demolished and 69 houses built in their place.
The Explore
Milford mill was a pretty easy and relaxed explore and compared to some old industrial sites there is still plenty to see here which was nice.
Even managed to get inside the chimney for a quick shot.
Sadly though it looks as if time has finally been called on this 1.
As stated above current owners plan to clear the site by the end of the year
View attachment
