Bollington Discovery Centre
Small local-history centre in Clarence Mill telling the story of Bollington's mills and canal, with a gallery of more than 5,000 historic photographs.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Bollington Discovery Centre opened in May 2005 on the canal side at Clarence Mill. It was developed by Bollington Civic Society as a partnership project with the Macclesfield Canal Society and was paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund, local councils, the mill owners and private donors.
The displays follow the story of Bollington from a farming backwater in the Macclesfield Forest to a cotton town whose streams and rivers powered its mills. They explain how people in the town worked and lived, and they show the part played by Clarence Mill and the other mills and by the Macclesfield Canal.
A gallery up a flight of stairs holds a picture collection of more than 5,000 historic images, the earliest from the 1860s, which visitors can search on a computer at the centre. A glass-topped table shows further local items, and the centre regularly mounts small displays of art and local history. Books, maps and two free walking trail leaflets about the town's mills and old streets are available at the centre, and schools and groups can arrange visits outside the normal opening times.
Highlights
- Searchable collection of more than 5,000 historic photographs of Bollington
- Story of the town's cotton mills and the Macclesfield Canal
- Glass-topped table of local objects
- Free trail leaflets for walks starting at Clarence Mill
- Local books and maps on sale
Permanent exhibitions
- The story of Bollington – Displays on Bollington's development from a farming village to a mill town, its mills and canal, and the people who worked and lived there.
- Historic picture collection – A gallery with more than 5,000 photographs of the town from the 1860s onwards, which can be searched on a computer at the centre.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Bollington Civic Society, in partnership with the Macclesfield Canal Society
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The picture gallery is reached by a flight of stairs.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Multi-storey car park in the yard of Clarence Mill; from Clarence Road follow the road to the right of the mill and turn first left into the yard.
The centre is on the canal side of Clarence Mill, through the tunnel in the mill and then left along the canal, just before the archway. On foot from Clarence Road, turn left in front of the mill and go through the archway past the café; the centre is the first door on the right.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Local history books, maps and lapel badges are sold at the centre. A café is a short walk away on the canal side of Clarence Mill.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The centre is not staffed full time. School and group visits can be arranged outside the normal opening times, and for a school visit the centre is opened specially so that the children are the only visitors. The phone number is answered at the Town Hall on weekdays. |
