a market-town of Derbyshire, 15 miles north of Derby, in the picturesque valley of Matlockdale, situated chiefly on the right bank of the Derwent, and surrounded on the N., S., and W. by lofty limestone rocks. Pop. (1851) 1190, chiefly employed in the cotton factories of the Messrs Arkwright. The celebrated Sir R. Arkwright established two large cotton mills here, the first in 1771, and the other a few years subsequently. Lead mines are worked in the vicinity. The Cromford Canal extends from the Erewash Canal at Langley Bridge to this town, and the Cromford and High Peak railway joins the canal at a short distance south of the town.