Silk Museums 2025
Take a guided tour of the mill and step back in time to an early 20th century silk mill. See 26 restored Jacquard looms, hear about the silk industry and watch a weaving demonstration. It is the only silk museum in the north of England.
Contacts
Operator: Macclesfield Museums Trust
Address: Park Lane Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 6TJ
- Telephone: 01625 612 045
- Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- Website: View website
Open Days & Times
Wed-Sat & last Sun in month 1000-1600. Visit website or facebook for more details and advance booking.
Travel
- By Rail: Macclesfield / 0.5 miles
Facilities
- Refreshments
- Souvenir Shop
- Part disabled access
The mill takes you back in time to Macclesfield of the early 20th century, with the only working Jacquard silk hand looms in the country in their original location, offering the experience of what it would have been like to be a Macclesfield mill worker.
The present Upper Mill was built for silk manufacture around 1824. In 1862 during a slump in trade, the owner John Bagshaw, a cotton manufacturer, pulled down the neighbouring 18th century mill and built Lower Mill, which we know as Paradise Mill today.
Silk linked Macclesfield on the edge of the Peak District National Park to France, Italy, China and beyond. They are dedicated to telling the world of stories that began there. Explore the varied collection of pattern books, industrial machinery, textiles and artefacts from Ancient Egypt.
