Helmshore Mills Textile Museum

Detail of a machine known as a 'Devil', made by William Tatham

Carding machine by William Tatham, showing a sliver of cotton coming off a carding machine

Part of display case from Wilson Brothers Bobbin Co.

Water turbine

Boyce weaver's knotter

Holcombe Road, Helmsmore, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 4NP.

• A fascinating museum in the village of Helmshore. The museum is housed in two adjacent buildings - a cotton spinning mill and an older woollen fulling mill with a working waterwheel. High quality displays show the development of the textile industry, with some important examples of early textile machines. Excellent tours conducted by knowledgeable guides who provide demonstrations of machinery and offer fascinating snippets of information about the industry, workers, and mill owners. Learn why spinning mule operators worked barefoot, and why the woollen mill paid good money for the urine of red-headed Methodists!

• Unfortunately, this superb and important museum is now closed, except to pre-arranged school visits. See Lancashire County Council - Helmshore Textile Museum.

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