New Mills is home to...

The world's longest running continuous brass band?

The UK's first community owned hydro electric project?

The nationally famous 'Plain English Campaign?'

Swizzels Matlow, Europe's largest manufacturer of childrens sweets including Love Hearts, Drumsticks, Refreshers, Parma Violets & Lollies?

About New Mills

New Mills takes its name from a medieval corn mill. Established sometime before 1391, it became known as "newmylne" as it had been rebuilt and by the late sixteenth century the name was in use for the little hamlet that had grown up around the mill. By the 1780s the town became known as New Mills.

In the late eighteenth century, the introduction of water power, mechanisation and the factory system caused a rapid change with several cotton mills, based on waterpower, being built in the Torrs. Weirs were built to maintain the steady supply of water needed to drive the water wheels.

In 1882 fire claimed Rock Mill in the Torrs and a second mill was also destroyed by fire in 1912. Torr Vale Mill continued to manufacture cotton until 2000, making it the longest continuous manufacturing mill in England.

In 1974, the Torrs was officially re-opened as a park and in 1999, a 175-yard aerial Walkway to span the otherwise inaccessible cliff wall provided an innovative and futuristic way to link the park to the Cheshire way. The Millennium Walkway won numerous awards for its stunning design, was showcased on national TV and also featured on a Post Office stamp marking the millennium.