New Lanark World Heritage Site

New Lanark was a site ahead of its time. Founded by David Dale, it is most famous for Robert Owen’s social reforms, such as shorter working days, an end to child labour under the age of 10, and free medical care for workers in the mill.

The award-winning New Lanark Visitor Centre
© Visit Lanarkshire

Discover Why New Lanark is so Special

Yarn spun at the New Lanark Visitor Centre

Timeline and Owners

New Lanark was founded 1785 and opened in 1786 by David Dale, a Glasgow banker and entrepreneur, and Richard Arkwright, the inventor and pioneer of industrial cotton spinning. The partnership dissolved after a year, and David Dale continued to run New Lanark for over 15 years before his son-in-law, Robert Owen, took over for the next 25 years.

The cotton mill was in operation for two centuries until 1968 and at one time was thought to be the largest industrial facility in the world. It became a world-renowned blueprint for what could be the ideal working and living environment for workers and their families.

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“Society may be formed so as to exist without crime, without poverty, with health greatly improved, with little, if any misery, and with intelligence and happiness increased a hundredfold..." - Robert Owen

International Significance

Owen instituted a wide range of workplace, social, and educational reforms that led to the idea of New Lanark as an ideal community. He described it as “the most important experiment for the happiness of the human race that has yet been instituted in any part of the world”.

Today, New Lanark is an exceptional example of a purpose-built 18th century mill village. Thanks to an ongoing process of conservation and rehabilitation spanning almost half a century, the appearance of the village today is still close to that of the early 19th century.

Since the 1980s, New Lanark has produced woollen yarn, spun from sheep's fleece on site at the mill. this manufacturing process is powered by renewable energy, drawn from the hydroelectric turbine which produces power for the whole site. Visit the award-winning restored attraction to see this progressive story brought to life in a series of buildings, exhibitions and attractions.

Exploring the Local Area

The mill is situated in the picturesque Clyde Valley amongst gorgeous scenery on the banks of the River Clyde.

Corra Linn waterfall at the Falls of Clyde

Discover nearby towns and cities

New Lanark village is located near the town of Lanark, with historic closes and beautiful greenspaces nearby, and just under 1 hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, so there is plenty of great things to see and do on offer.

Discover the Best Local Attractions and Experiences

We've highlighted some of the best attractions and experiences nearby not to be missed, including a nearby wildlife reserve, home to badgers, otters and several wonderful waterfalls.

National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride
© Visit Lanarkshire

Sustainable Local Businesses

These Green Tourism businesses are assessed on everything from energy efficiency to biodiversity and awarded bronze, silver or gold. Find a sustainable attraction to visit or cosy place to stay near Lanark.

Explore more sustainable things to do

How to get here

Electric shuttle buses at New Lanark Visitor Centre
© New Lanark Trust

CAR

New Lanark is easy to reach. The heritage site is located around an hour's drive from Glasgow (25 miles/40 km) or Edinburgh (35 miles/56 km). The village has a large car park but if you leave your car at home, you’ll be making the village safer for pedestrians and helping to reduce air pollution which can erode the site’s structures.

TRAIN

The nearest train station is Lanark and trains run every hour from Glasgow Central or Motherwell to Lanark. Local buses and taxis are then available at the bus stance, adjacent to Lanark railway station.

Plan your journey with ScotRail

BUS

There is also a bus service between Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow and Lanark, operated by First Glasgow and Stuart Coaches service no 240X.

Plan your route with Traveline Scotland.

SHUTTLE BUS

There are two electric shuttle-bus services which run in line with the opening of the visitor attraction. One from the car park at the top of the hill to the village and back, and the other which drives a circuit around Lanark and the surrounding area – perfect for those with mobility issues or wishing to reduce their carbon output. The buses use electricity produced by the hydroelectric turbine which is powered by the currents of the River Clyde.