Derbyshire is nationally famed for it's historic water-powered industries, especially in the `World Heritage Status' lower Derwent Valley where the water driven mill wheels once generated the power to work the shuttles and looms of the world's first factories. However, a few miles further upstream almost where the Derwent and Wye Valleys meet at the confluence of the two rivers, stands a unique and historic mill of a different kind which has all its original machinery - and which can still be seen in full working order!

Caudwell's Mill at Rowsley, which was run as a family business for over a century is a unique grade two listed flour mill, and the only complete working Victorian water turbine-powered roller mill in the country. The Mill was almost lost forever when it was abandoned in 1978, but in recent years, thanks to the discerning members of the Caudwell's Mill Trust who rescued the entire mill complex from prospective demolition, it has been preserved for posterity and has become a favourite Derbyshire tourist attraction.

Caudwell's Mill stands alongside the A6 opposite the renowned Peacock Hotel on a narrowing stretch of land at Rowsley between the Derwent and the Wye, and uses the clearer water from the Wye to power its two turbines, which in turn provide the power which operates the entire four-storeys of milling machinery including a variety of rollers, sifters, pulleys & archimedes screws, all of which can be seen fully working.

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