Sir Richard Arkwrights Masson Mills

Sir Richard Arkwrights Masson Mills allows you to step back in time, from the moment you ‘clock in' with your entrance tickets and experience the authentic sights, sounds and smells of a working cotton mill. The collection includes items such as the original bell that called employees to work and some of the oldest working looms in the world, that still produce cloth! There is a weaving shed, a Turbine House and the Overseer's office to explore, plus ‘The Devil', a machine which broke up raw cotton bales using large rotating spikes, which were all too often the cause of accidents.

The bobbin collection is the most comprehensive in the world, runnin between 1795 to 1980, that's a lot of bobbins! There is so much to find out about, from the steam engine to the chimney, plus an unusually shaped weir and riverbank, which is a great place for picnics. You can choose to explore at your own pace, or book a fully guided tour that includes a short film and bespoke machinery demonstrations.

There is also the option to have a ‘Morning (or afternoon) with the Mill Owner if you want a more unique experience. Machinery demonstrations are held daily.