The rich natural resources of the lower Derwent Valley made it an ideal area for developing industries: the advent of Ambrose Crowley and his ironworks in 1691, probably sponsored by Sir William Bowes, marked the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

To read, download or print an essay by Dr William Lancaster explaining the international significance of the Lower Derwent Valley, please click here.

Early Industrialisation: the Lower Derwent and Blaydon Burn Valleys - an academic essay by Clavering and Rounding.