Helmshore Mills Textile Museum

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. 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

- Imagine how the grand and mighty waterwheel powered the stocks as they thumped the wet woollen cloth

- Have fun and learn in an exceptional environment, at our many activities, events and special exhibitions

From handlooms to the power loom, trace the history of weaving via the invention of the flying shuttle, the dobby and the jacquard, or follow spinning from the drop spindle and great wheel through to the powerful spinning mules, by way of the spinning jenny and water frame. Our collections are designated as being of national importance. Many are original machines, a number of which are still in working order and demonstrated on a regular basis.

To discover more about weaving and steam power, visit our sister museum (the last steam powered weaving mill in the world), Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, in Harle Syke on the outskirts of Burnley.

View Lancashire's museums collections online