An Archaeological Watching Brief at Bobbin Mill Bridge, Ashforrd in the Water, Derbyshire

The Trustees of the Devonshire Maintenance Fund have received planning permission from the Peak District National Park Authority to undertake repair works at Bobbin Mill Bridge, Ashford in the Water. As there was a strong possibility that works within this area may disturb archaeological features associated with two water-powered bobbin mills located on the south side of the River Wye, to which the bridge provided access, it was agreed that a scheme of archaeological works be implemented to record any features which might have been revealed by the works. ARCUS were commissioned by the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement to undertake this work, which was carried out in August 2001. The work produced information on the construction of the nineteenth century bridge, and background historical research was undertaken which set the site (and the associated mills) into context.