Masson Mills Working Textile Museum

The clatter of Victorian machinery fills the air at this proper working textile museum, where original cotton spinning equipment still runs just as it did in Sir Richard Arkwright's day. You'll watch the waterwheel turn and see cotton transformed from raw bales into finished thread on machines that have been operating since the 1780s. The mill workers are brilliant at explaining the process without drowning you in technical details.

Families with older children seem to get the most from a visit - the working machinery fascinates kids once they're past the toddler stage, though the noise levels might overwhelm very young ones. History enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of this place as one of the world's first modern factories, while the actual demonstrations make it far more engaging than your typical museum display.

Set in Matlock Bath along the River Derwent, the museum sits within the original mill buildings that helped kickstart the Industrial Revolution. Plan for at least two hours to see everything properly, including the waterwheel and the shopping village that occupies other parts of the complex.

For those staying at nearby parks like Darwin Forest or Hoe Grange Holidays, it makes an excellent rainy day alternative to outdoor activities. The location puts you right in the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, so you're well placed to explore other historic sites in the area.