HALLOWEEN at Newstead Abbey – 31st October 2026

About this investigation

Ghost Hunt – Cromford Mills – Paranormal Investigation Deposit Option Available Cromford Mills are nestled in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. Built in 1771 by Sir Richard Arkwright, it is the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill and a cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution. World Heritage Site The mill is Grade I listed and is now the centrepiece of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site. From then until 1790, he continued to develop the mills, warehouses, and workshops that now form the Cromford Mills site. Historical England declared the Cromford mill complex “one of the country’s 100 irreplaceable sites.” Leading the Way In 1769, Richard Arkwright patented a water frame to use the extra power of a watermill after he had set up a horse-powered mill in Nottingham. Arkwright chose the site at Cromford because it had a year-round supply of warm water. Young Workers Employing nearly 200 workers, Arkwright built housing for them. Most employees were women and children, the youngest only seven years old. In addition, the children were given six hours of education a week to undertake the record-keeping for the Mills. The End of an era… maybe not The cotton mill ceased operation in the 19 th century, and the buildings were used for other purposes. In 1979, the Grade I listed site was bought by the Arkwright Society, which began the long task of restoring it to its original state and continues to do so today. Exclusive to Haunted Heritage Deposit Option Available