Derwent Reservoir, Derbyshire, England

© R A Kearton/Getty Images

Derwent Reservoir, Derbyshire, England

This peaceful setting in the Derwent Valley of Derbyshire, England, seems an unlikely setting for the birth of the Industrial Revolution, but in the 18th century it was buzzing with innovation. It’s here that inventor Richard Arkwright created machinery to manufacture textiles faster, and of a high quality—ushering in the modern factory system. Located in the Peak District National Park, this region has World Heritage status for its historic significance. Even the Derwent Dam, shown here, has a unique history. The dam served as a practice site for WWII pilots as they prepared for Operation Chastise, aka Dam Busters, a 1943 attack that breached two German dams and caused catastrophic flooding.