Cressbrook Mill
near Bakewell, Derbyshire
Former cotton mill, now apartments.
c.1783 Mill established by Richard Arkwright
1873 'Closing of a Cotton Mill.— The Cressbrook Cotton Mills, situate near Bakewell, North Derbyshire, and owned by Mr. Peter Johnson, are, it is stated, be closed almost immediately, and the machinery, &c.. removed. The reason for this step is not named, but the closing of the mill will throw several hundred persons out of employment.'[1]
1886 Advert: 'DERBYSHIRE. MESSRS. WILLIAM WILSON & SON will SELL BY AUCTION, at the Shakespeare Hotel, Buxton, On WEDNESDAY, July 14, 1886, at two o'clock in the afternoon prompt, in one lot, and subject to such conditions as will be then produced, a Very Important and Valuable RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, known as the Cressbrook Estate, beautifully situated between Millers Dale and Monsall Dale stations, in North Derbyshire, together with the Water-power Mill and the whole of the village of Cressbrook, distant about 2½ miles from Millers' Dale Station, eight miles from Buxton, 14 miles from Matlock Bath, and 30 miles from Manchester, on the main line of the Midland Railway from London to Manchester. The whole of the estate contains 160 a. 2r. 19p., or thereabouts, statute measure. Cressbrook House is commodious and well-built stone mansion, in the Gothic style of architecture ; it has a south aspect and commands delightful views of the surrounding picturesque scenery; it is approached from the main road by two carriage drives, with handsome Gothic lodge entrances. The interior of the house is compact and well arranged, and comprises on the ground floor a spacious vestibule and hall, paved with marble, and with panelled ceiling; dining-room, 21ft. by 16ft. 3in.; drawing-room, 21ft. by 16ft. 3in. ; library, 20ft. by 15ft. 9in. ; conservatory, 44ft. by 15ft. ; billiard-room, 24ft. by 18ft. On the first floor there are four bedrooms, each having a dressing-room attached ; also a small single room, bathroom, &c. On the upper floor day and night nurseries, and four good servants' bedrooms, approached by separate staircase. The domestic offices on the north-west side of the house are ample and well arranged, consisting of housekeeper's room, storeroom, butlers pantry, servants' hall, kitchen, scullery, larders, pantry, &c, with laundry and wash-house. In the basement there is an excellent dry cellarage. The out-offices comprise three stables, with two stalls in each, and one large-loose box, large coach house, capable of holding four carriages ; harness-room, cornroom, piggeries, fowlhouse, &c. The pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out and well-timbered ; also walled-in and well sheltered kitchen gardens, with two vineries, two peach houses, greenhouses, melon-houses, &c. The site of the mansion and grounds contains 21a. 0r. 2p., or thereabouts. The plantations on the estate cover 97a. 0r. 2p., and comprise timber of all characters in full growth. There is a large rookery, and some little game on the estate, and pond fishing and boating on the river Wye. Small Farm of 30a. 2r. 22p., with farm buildings in good repair. The Cressbrook Mills, which are one mile from Monsall Dale Station, are worked by an excellent supply of water power, and comprise Old Mill, four storeys, 73ft. by 25ft. Large Mill, four storeys, 107 ft. by 48ft ; Cressbrook Mill, 80ft. by 36ft. ; mechanics' shop, foundry, gas-works, and outbuildings. The whole of the picturesque village of Cressbrook, which consists of fifty-seven houses, one shop, a school and a manager's house, together with garden allotments. The climate is most salubrious, and the air is very bracing. The surroundings are of a most romantic and picturesque character, Millers' Dale is a first-class station at which nearly all the Midland express trains between London and Manchester and London and Liverpool stop.
All further particulars, with plans and full description of the estate, and cards to view, can be obtained on application at the place of sale ; to the Auctioneers, 29, Fountain-street, ; to Mr. T. Silk Wilson, land agent and surveyor, Albert-square ; or to Messrs. EARLE, SONS, & CO. Solicitors, 54, Brown-street, all of Manchester.'[2]
1899 Advert: 'IMPROVEMENTS AT CRESSBROOK. Extensive alterations are being carried out at Cressbrook Mills, under the able direction of Mr F R McConnell. The improvements consists, amongst other things, of installation of the electric light, the contract for which is let to Messrs Scott and Mountain, Newcastle, Mr Wasteneys Smith being in charge of the installation. Other additions are in contemplation. Most of the works and mansions in this district are now lighted by electricity, and this bids fair to be the general illuminant of the future, as the accessibility of water power greatly decreases the cost. Messrs Gilbert Gilkes and Co, of Kendal, are now engaged putting in for the Queen at Balmoral a precisely similar turbine to that which they recently supplied to the Duke of Devonshire at the Ashford Marble Works.'[3]