What's on in Derbyshire

The Silk Mill - Derby's Museum of Industry and History

Daily

Cost: Free

Hours: Mon 11am-5pm; Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 1pm-4pm

The Silk Mill - Derby's Museum of Industry and History - tells the story of the industrial heritage of the city and its people. The museum is housed in the historic Silk Mill, the oldest in the world and part of the 15-mile stretch of the Derwent Valley Mills, which collectively are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The two mills were built in 1702 and 1717 by George Sorocold, and part of the later mill tower is still visible. Along with the building itself, the displays in the museum are testament to the development of the industrial revolution here. The main focus is on Rolls Royce aero engine production and the city's central role in the railway industry since 1839, while other displays feature mining, quarrying, foundry work and power sources used by industry, including some working models and a steam engine that runs on special family days.

The Silk Mill - Derby's Museum of Industry and History