The “Birthplace of Industry”, a pioneering canal and the first factory

This episode explores the innovation at a furnace in Shropshire that is said to have been the catalyst for the Industrial Revolution. The host Dr Suzannah Lipscomb also looks at the first industrial arterial canal in Manchester and Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, known as the birthplace of the factory system. The 100 places featured in this series have been nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of judges. Together they help tell England’s fascinating history. Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com