Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale: Photos, Reviews & Location

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Rating breakdown

5 ★83%
4 ★11%
3 ★3%
2 ★0%
1 ★3%

Holcombe Rd, Helmshore, Rossendale BB4 4NP, United Kingdom

lancashire.gov.uk

+44 1706 226459

Photos of Helmshore Mills Textile Museum (65)

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Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 1

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 2

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 3

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 4

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 5

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 6

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 7

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 8

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 9

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 10

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 11

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale – photo 12

Quick facts

What is the rating of Helmshore Mills Textile Museum?: Helmshore Mills Textile Museum is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 234 reviews.
Where is Helmshore Mills Textile Museum located?: Holcombe Rd, Helmshore, Rossendale BB4 4NP, United Kingdom
How can I contact Helmshore Mills Textile Museum?: Phone: +44 1706 226459 · Website: lancashire.gov.uk

Reviews (8)

jane downing 2024 Jun 28

Glad I hadn't travelled far to visit. On Google it advises Helmshore mill is open Thursday HOWEVER when we arrived we were greeted with "only the cotton part is open Thursday, not the wool side" and "the tour was at 12, its 5 past 12". A frosty greeting. I visited with my friend, we both are volunteers and so in theory (and rather wonderfully ) are able to visit for free using credits we earn whilst volunteering. We were told they were planning to withdraw from the scheme, wasn't confident to ask any more, but, crucially, they HAVEN'T withdrawn. It felt like the staff member had missed the memo on working at a tourist attraction. To put it bluntly she's in the wrong job. She was full of negativity and once she'd briefed us on all the closures, what we couldn't do, how some time in the future we couldn't x, y or z, she then flounced off and we were left unsure whether we could go in or had to come back another day and I'm still unsure whether we could go around the mill on our own or had to be on one of the tours. A much kinder man took over and we were allowed to join the tour (half an hour), which was interesting, the machines were demonstrated which was cool too! The machines were stunning built locally in Todmorden and Rochdale, super works of art and engineering. But if you want a warm welcome and an extensive fascinating tour, (1.5-2 hours) given with care and dedication by a passionate team, I'd strongly recommend Queen street Mill. So much potential at the mill but what came across most strongly was "council staff paid whether they tried or not". And specifically to the woman who met us with a blast of icy hail try "hi, welcome to helmshore mill! Have you travelled far to visit us today?" Then "OK, today the cotton side is open, we have a cafe if you'd like to enjoy one of our lovely x,y,z and wait until 2 to start the tour, otherwise it would be ok to join the tour from now if you'd prefer and perhaps we can fill you in on the few moments you've missed if we have staff available, which am sure we will, it being a rainy Thursday" [and there are only 6 fcukers here]. Perhaps if you learned some manners you'd have a thriving cafe (like everywhere else) and more than 6 punters on a rainy Thursday and most importantly a thriving museum with fab potential. It's the worst reception I've had since volunteering and using credits to visit places country wide. Shame on you greeting people who work hard volunteering. To the other staff members I'd strongly recommend you read "The Power of Bad." By John Tierney.

Brian Barrett 2024 May 02

Very badly signed once you are within 2 miles of the place. Got there eventually to find the museum was closed as a very small part of ut was in use as a polling station.
Website said it was open. 100 mile round trip for nothing.
Tip. Phone beforehand to see if the place is open.

Peter Quinn 2024 Apr 13

There are 2 Mills one 18th Century and one 19th. As a building the old one is more interesting and rustic, and you can see the mill pond and former railway viaduct that's a beautiful stone bridge, such a waste.

The museum has a mixture of working machine halls and exhibits. Regular guided tours are available. It's well presented with an interesting video show. Being from the 'cotton' area myself it's astounding how this industry so transformed a large portion of the UK with all it involved and then declined in 150yrs. Swelling the population enormously. There's also a cafe, a good free car park and the staff are friendly.

Stephen Monk 2024 Mar 30

I last went to Helmshore Textile Museum in 1986 before my O Levels with school. It had a major impact on me then, and it still does now knowing so many of my ancestors have worked in the Woollen and Cotton Mills of the North West of England.
Rossendale was at the forefront of the industrial Revolution. The museum has two specific sections covering the development of the Woollen and Cotton industries reflecting that the mill itself often changed between the two.
I am disabled on crutches but I found the museum very accessible for me and would be fine for anyone using a wheelchair.
The floors had occasional videos along the way illustrating some of the pioneers, early home based industry, rebellion against mechanisation and others. The exhibits are magnificent and give you an insight into the growth in industry, the development in riches of the mill owners and the poverty of the mill workers.
There is a substantial shop on site, a beautiful coffee shop and accessible toilets.
One visit isn't enough. Although I took photos I need to go again to take more in. At £4 per adult this is fairly priced and keeps alive this proud mill and living representation of a time sadly past.

Where Ami 2024 Feb 04

We went there on the off-chance that the museum would be open despite information to the contrary on the Web. Unfortunately it was indeed closed(off season). The cafe was open, however, which offered tantalising views of the museum through glass doors. It looked wonderful.
Next time I'm in the area I'll definitely arrange a visit and tour.

Bethany Staelens 2023 Sep 18

This is a very interesting mill museum and rather unusual as it covers both the wool and cotton trades. Tours of both sides of the mill are offered by docents and are quite informative. I particularly liked how they connected common expressions to their origins in mills, ie. "spinsters", "a cut above" "on tenterhooks". All of the equipment used is on view on both sides of the mill, but on the cotton side there are machines that still operate. Seeing them demonstrated, I tried to envision the noise, dust and danger involved in their use.
There are interactive displays as well and some wonderful period photographs.
Their gift shop has lots of interesting books and toys for children. The staff couldn't be nicer. Very friendly and helpful.

Tim Ashworth 2023 Sep 17

A great place to visit to see history in action and show off our local area’s history. Not been in the cage yet but will be back for a longer visit soon enough

Robert Baker 2023 May 06

Enjoyable museum with lots of exhibits and tours offered of both the cotton mill and the wool mill. Enjoyed both of my tours today. Highly recommended.