Dawe's Twineworks

About the museum

Dawe's Twineworks in West Coker, Somerset, is a Victorian factory for making twine, built in 1899 for John Dawe on land beside Millbrook House. The village had a long tradition of rope, twine and sailcloth making linked to the local flax trade. The timber building was designed for airy working conditions, with an open-sided walk about 300 feet long along which the twine was spun, and its machinery was installed by a firm from nearby Martock.

The works stopped production in 1968 and then stood empty and decayed. Unlike other surviving rural twine and rope walks, Dawe's kept all of its machinery, which led to its listing being raised to Grade II* in 1999. South Somerset District Council bought the site compulsorily in 2005, and the Coker Rope and Sail Trust was set up to manage and conserve it. A grant-funded restoration followed, with a Heritage Lottery funded phase completed around 2019, including a new visitor centre built in place of a derelict bungalow.

Today the site is looked after by local volunteers. The visitor centre has toilets, refreshments and displays on flax, hemp, twine, rope and sailcloth, and it overlooks the long twine walk. In 2022 the trust received an award from the Association for Industrial Archaeology for community engagement.

Highlights

• The only surviving Victorian twineworks in Britain with its original working machinery
• Grade II* listed 300-foot twine walk
• Visitor centre with displays on flax, hemp, twine and rope
• Restored and run entirely by local volunteers
• Free entry on open days

Permanent exhibitions

• Victorian twine walk and machinery – The 300-foot twine walk with the original twine-making machinery, restored to working order and set up along the full length of the walk.
• Visitor centre displays – Explanatory displays and small exhibits about flax, hemp, twine, rope and the local sailcloth industry.

Founded

2016

Operated by

Coker Rope and Sail Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is always free, but the trust relies on donations.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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 visitor centre has accessible features and disabled parking alongside the building. Visitors under 16 and disabled visitors who need assistance must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult.

Kids & families

Visitors under 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult.

Getting there & parking

Dawe's is at the west end of West Coker on the A30, next to no. 94. A blue and white sign with a ship marks the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The visitor centre has toilets and a counter serving refreshments.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit