Queen Street Mill Textile Museum
Lancashire, BB10 2HX
The last operational steam-powered weaving mill in the world, Queen Street Mill reopens on 7 July 2018.
Located just outside Burnley, a town once dominated by the textile industry, in its Victorian heyday Queen Street Mill specialised in producing plain calico cloth. Visitors can see the machinery - a complete collection of national importance - preserved in full working order, including the Lancashire looms, boilers and a steam engine named Peace. The Mill was producing cloth until its closure in 1982 when it was down to 440 looms, having originally been equipped with 900 and a further 366 added in the 'bottom shed'. Now it is a perfect time capsule of Victorian manufacturing, bringing the past to life and telling the story of cotton cloth production, offering insights into local social history along the way.
The number of days the building will be open in 2018 has been limited to ensure work can be undertaken as quickly as possible to strengthen the 35m-high chimney. Pre-booked guided tours are still welcome Monday to Friday. Please see the website for more details.