Description: Lea Mills, near to Matlock. Lea Mills were an extensive spinning and hosiery manufactory which give employment to a large number of persons. The original mills were built by Peter Nightingale (a business rival of Richard Arkwright). They were bought by John Smedley (the founder of the baths at Matlock) at some point in the 1840's, and much of the remaining buildings date to this time. This photograph shows the old lead smelter.