The Industrial Revolution was the 150 year period over the late 18th century to the end of the Victorian age, where Great Britain moved from a mainly agricultural society, to one of machines, factories and cities.
Driven by technological advances such as the steam engine and automated textile weaving, the revolution transformed the UK both economically and socially. The era saw a massive creation of wealth and opportunity.
However not all of these changes were good. The period saw mass squalor, particularly in the cities, with extensive inequality. There’s also still intense debate on the role of Britain’s Empire, and its exploitation of its dominions overseas.
However what’s not debatable is the extent to which the Industrial Revolution transformed much of the country. Changes such as the mass migration to expanding cities, growth of the railways and mass production of goods left its mark on much of the UK.
Here, then, are just some of the places that were at the centre of these changes, often the birth of some new technology or way of working that would revolutionise these rest of the country. We start with the place many consider to be the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution itself…
THE IRON BRIDGE, SHROPSHIRE

Creating the world’s first cast iron bridge was certainly no small feat when the best bridge-building practices at the time were either stone or wood.
But builder Abraham Darby III and designer Thomas Farnolls Pritchard envisioned something extra strong and durable that would make it faster to move goods over the River Severn as well as reduce traffic on the river.
Construction on the 197-foot structure started in 1777 and it officially opened in 1781. It led to other areas using this construction, and is still in use today.
CROMFORD MILL, DERBYSHIRE
The world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill was located here, built by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1777.
The community still refers to itself as the birthplace of the modern factory since it was where the first modern production line took hold, a model that was duplicated in other Arkwright mills around the country.
Today, there are self-guided tours available as well as opportunities to explore the scenic countryside, including the worker village.
Because the area has something for everyone, there are tours available for serious historians as well as general sightseers. It’s also a World Heritage Site.
SALTAIRE, YORKSHIRE

Sure, it claims to be “a charming Victorian village” like hundreds of others in the countryside. But the community has the honour of being on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its unique design, all revolving on its role in the textile industry.
It remains a functioning village today, where people work, shop, and live, but life in its early days revolved around a textile mill. Part of the reason it is recognized for its impact was not only its design with a focus on contributing to the local mill, but that civic planners tried to make it look good and architecturally pleasing, unlike some forms of worker housing where there wasn’t a lot of attention to worker comfort and safety.
STOTT PARK BOBBIN MILL, CUMBRIA
The 19th century mill in the Lake District is now a popular museum. The popularity of bobbins was a good example of the interconnectivity of many of the items created during the Industrial Revolution.
Supplies of quality bobbins were essential for the workings of the textile mills, since they could easily break or wear out with the heavy use they were receiving.
Visitors to the museum can watch the original steam- and water-powered machines create bobbins and handles from lengths of wood. You can even take a bobbin home as a memento.
J.W. EVANS SILVER FACTORY, BIRMINGHAM
Fine silverware prized around the world was created here in a complex process involving cutting and sinking dies and drop stamping them.
The factories in the Jewellery Quarter also produced other meticulous steel and silver work for other home décor and table items, including candlesticks and pepperpots.
Though the process was heavily manual, the family-owned company was known for its skilled designs and attention to detail. Though global demand for true silverware has slowed, there is still an active metalworking community here. Some of the factories have become museums which can be toured.
DERWENTCOTE STEEL FURNACE, ROWLANDS GILL
This cementation furnace was built in 1720 to create extra-dense steel and worked continuously until the late 19th century. The process involved blending charcoal and wrought iron and heating up, which produced stronger steel.
The furnace is the main part that’s still standing and occasional tours are available of it.
During the time of full production, there was an entire campus dedicated to its operation, including forge buildings, a crucible furnace for wrought iron, a pond, and workers quarters.
In its heyday, it produced more than 100 tons of steel with a small crew.
BERNEY ARMS WINDMILL, NORFOLK

This particular windmill is more than 21m tall and considered one of the largest of the ‘Marsh Mills’ which are today in Broads National Park.
It was built in 1865 and remained in regular use until the early 1950s.
While some industrial mills were used for grinding, the purpose of this one was to drain water to create usable farmland.
Though this particular windmill is currently closed to the public, except for special access, there are various museums and interpretive centres in the park that share the history of the windmills and windpumps.