Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) is probably the most famous person to have lived locally. She was appointed to oversee the introduction of female nurses into the military hospitals in Turkey after The Times criticised the British medical facilities for the wounded during the Crimean War. Whilst a child Florence lived with her parents at Lea Hurst during the summer months. Lea Hurst is just one mile from here and has recently close as a retirement home. In the entrance hall Florence's stuffed pet owl can be viewed.

Richard Arkwright (1732-1792) is considered to be the father of Britain's factory system. He invented the spinning frame and took out a patent on this in 1769. By 1771, he had established a large water powered mill at Cromford and it is this building that can claim to be the first factory in the world. This mill is just over a couple of miles down the road. Arkwright developed the village of Cromford by building houses with a well-lit third floor, many of which survive today, for the use of stocking knitters.

Arkwright expanded his interests considerably by buying the Willesley estate and manor. in 1788, he purchased the manor of Cromford and began to build a church and Willesley Castle as a residence. In 1790 he obtained a charter for a market at Cromford and he built the Greyhound Inn next to the market place. His second mill of seven storeys was build in 1776. The Masson Mill, powered by the river Derwent was build of brick after Arkwright acquired the site of a paper mill. The first mill was destroyed by a fire in 1777 and completely rebuilt.

You can visit both of the mills today. Cromford Mill has a visitor's centre with a gif shop and cafe. Masson Mill is now a shopping outlet also with a large cafe. You can also view the Working Textile Museum open daily Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Sat 11am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. Museum entrance is priced as follows: Adult £2.50, Child (5-16) £1.50, Family £6.50, Concessions £2.00.

Peak Practice, a series about doctors shown on ITV a few years ago was filmed locally - even once on Wakebridge Farm! Much of the filming was done in the village of Crich, a 15 minute walk away. The fish and chop shop there is now named after the fictitious village on Peak Practice - Cardale.