New Lanark was founded in 1786 as a model mill village by David Dale, initially in partnership with Richard Arkwright and later sold to Dale's son in law Robert Owen. Built to take advantage of water power from the only waterfalls on the River Clyde, the site included the cotton mills as well as housing for the mill workers and all the amenities required for the mill community. The mills operated until 1968 and after closure were saved for preservation. An important example of urban planning of the time, the site is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Robert Owen improved on social reforms begun under David Dale, these included the first infant school in Britain in 1817. He bought out his partners who were pushing to cut back on such provisions for the workforce. The site showed that providing a decent standard of living for workers could result in a productive mill and the site received visitors from all over the world looking to spread such reforms.
Around 130 people live in the former mill workers houses. To maintain the character of the site phone lines and television are provided by underground cables and TV arials or satelite dishes are not permitted. As well as the residential use there is also a hotel and youth hostel on the site and several buildings that serve as museum buildings including Owen's house, a reconstructed shop and some of the mill buildings.
New Lanark is just south of Lanark and is a 1.7 mile walk from Lanark railway station.
Below are some of my photos taken on a look around the site.
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