Opening Times
| Feb 13th - Feb 19th | |
|---|---|
| Mon | 12 - 4pm |
| Tue | 12 - 4pm |
| Wed | 12 - 4pm |
| Thur | 12 - 4pm |
| Fri | 12 - 4pm |
| Sat | 12 - 5pm |
| Sun | 12 - 5pm |
| Feb 20th - Apr 1st | |
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thur | 12 - 4pm |
| Fri | 12 - 4pm |
| Sat | 12 - 5pm |
| Sun | 12 - 5pm |
| Apr 2nd - Oct 31st | |
| Mon | 12 - 4pm |
| Tue | 12 - 4pm |
| Wed | 12 - 4pm |
| Thur | 12 - 4pm |
| Fri | 12 - 4pm |
| Sat | 12 - 5pm |
| Sun | 12 - 5pm |
We suggest you allow at least 2 hours for your visit.
Our cafe and shop are open from 12pm.
Admission Charges
Save money with our Xplorer multi-pass tickets
| Adults | £ 4.00 |
|---|---|
| Concessions | £ 3.00 |
| Accompanied Children | FREE |
Facilities
- Free parking for cars and coaches
- Gift shop
- Café serving snacks and light refreshments
- Access for disabled users
- Visitors with guide dogs welcome
- Family events and activities
-small.jpg)
Contact the museum
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum
Holcombe Road, Helmshore, Rossendale, BB4 4NP.
Tel: (+44) 01706 226459
Fax: (+44) 01706 218554
Our venues
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum
Bringing the spinning industry to life
Nestling side by side in the quiet village of Helmshore in the stunning Rossendale Valley are two original Lancashire textile mills, Higher Mill and Whitaker’s Mill, together known as Helmshore Mills Textile Museum. Here you can...
- Soak up the atmosphere of the historic mills and witness original machinery at work.
- Follow a journey to discover how raw wool and cotton were transformed into yarn, ready to be woven into cloth.
- Experience the Revolution gallery, where you can follow the story of Lancashire's unique role in the industrial revolution.
- Feel the grand and mighty waterwheel powering the stocks as they thump the wet woollen cloth.
- Have fun and learn in an exceptional environment, at our many activities, events and special exhibitions.
- Rest and enjoy a tasty meal or snack in our pleasant, friendly café.
Improvements to the museum in recent years have enhanced access, displays, and facilities. We now offer hands-on interactives, providing fun and learning for all ages, and enjoyable videos giving historical and technical insights. Our popular demonstrations of working machinery by our friendly and informative staff continue to be a highlight of any visit.
The Coffee Mill café serves fresh food made on the premises, and our shop stocks a wide range of traditional and contemporary gifts for all the family. There is no admission charge for entry to the café and shop.
Access is available for wheelchairs and prams to most parts of the Museum, and we have a disabled toilet for visitors, and hearing loop.
The Museum is supported by The Friends of Helmshore Museum, who welcome new members . To join the Friends, or for more details, please visit their website: friendsofhelmshore.co.uk.
Part of the site is owned by The Higher Mill Trust. For details of the Higher Mill Trust please contact the museum on +(44) (0)1706 226459.
A major refurbishment completed in 2008 was supported by Lancashire County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the North West Development Agency, and the Friends of Helmshore Museum.
The 2012 season
This year we open our doors early for February half term. Fascinating demonstrations of our historic machinery brought to life the role of the Lancashire textile industry during the 19th and early 20th century. Our visitor's book is full of wonderful comments from those who visited us in 2011. Here are just a few:
- "A great experience!"
- "Great museum & excellent staff."
- "Very interesting. A look into the past."
- "Excellent to see the machines in action – our teenage daughters were very interested in it all including the waterwheel demo."
- "Absolutely Brilliant Very Informative."
Awards and Activities
Helmshore Textile Museum was proud to win the Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board 'Best Small Visitor Attraction of the Year' Award in 2009/10.
To continue with our successes, our cafe 'The Coffee Mill' has been accredited with the prestigious Taste Lancashire Quality Assurance award by Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board. The award recognises establishments who provide a consistently high quality dining experience and a commitment to local produce.
Activities
A changing programme of events, activities, demonstrations, talks, workshops and children's holiday activities, to keep all the family entertained, as well as a programme of changing exhibitions.
Coming up: Family Craft Activities during week commencing Monday 13/02/2012.
Join in the fun each weekday during this half term week 10.30am until 12 noon. Advance booking essential. Small charge applies.
For more details phone the museum, 01706 226459.
To discover more of what's on offer in the Rossendale area, visit http://www.visitrossendale.co.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=1003
To find the best visual arts and heritage in Pennine Lancashire visit the Arts Map.
Things to do
Explore the museum:
How to find us
We recommend travel by bus or road. Rail services are limited.
By Car:
Helmshore is one mile south of Haslingden on the B6235
By Bus:
11 Haslingden – Helmshore – Rawtenstall circular
Enquiries: Rossendale Transport 01706 212337
X41 Manchester – Helmshore – Accrington
Enquiries: Lancashire United 01254 260661
244 Blackburn – Haslingden – Rawtenstall
Enquiries: Rossendale Transport 01706 212337
By Rail:
To Rawtenstall from Bury, a limited tourist service operated by the East Lancashire Railway
Enquiries: 0161 764 7790