Best Hill Mill, Long Lane, was built in 1784 by John Marsland of the Little Hague, Broadbottom. In 1837 Samuel Marsland became the

occupier and by 1842 he had 90 women and 30 men working for him for an average of 10s 8d. per week. Samuel Marsland died in 1865, leaving his sons to continue the family business, during the difficult times of the cotton famine of the 1860s. During this time, a dispute arose between the Marslands and Lord Howard, over the right of road to the mill. It was during this dispute that the lease expired in 1884, and because of ill-feeling between the two parties, it was not renewed. When the mill closed it was a severe loss to the community on either side of the river, as this was the principal mill in Charlesworth. Horne Brothers, who lived at the Hague, Broadbottom, bought the mill for the manufacture of tape, which varied from plain to decorative ribbons. One of their main contracts was with a lingerie manufacturing firm as far away as Ashbourne. The tape was transported by a local carting firm from Broadbottom. Best Hill Mill was finally closed down in the 1930s. 

You can still see the 4 cottages that were attached to the mill underneath the viaduct at Best Hill Bridge. 80 workers lived in a row of 18 houses that was called “New York” and now is the car park for the Roman Catholic Church on Long Lane.

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