Queen Street Mill Textile Museum
Grade I listed weaving mill of 1895 near Burnley, the last surviving steam-powered weaving mill of the 19th century, with 308 looms and a steam engine.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Queen Street Mill at Harle Syke near Burnley opened in 1895 and is described as the last surviving 19th-century steam-powered weaving mill in the world. The Grade I listed building shows the late Victorian cotton industry in a landscape of chimneys, mills and terraced houses. It is run as a museum by Lancashire County Council as part of Lancashire Museums.
The heart of the mill is the steam engine Peace, which once powered more than 300 looms in the weaving shed. The engine is now getting older and is not run all the time, but visitors can see it standing still and special steam days are announced online. The weaving shed still holds 308 Lancashire looms, and guides explain how raw cotton became woven cloth and demonstrate the machines. The noise of the looms was so great that weavers learnt to lip read.
Outside, the 120 foot brick chimney is a local landmark, and the boiler house, which can be seen from the outside by the stables, contains the two Lancashire boilers that made the steam. The mill has also served as a location for films and television, including The King’s Speech, Peterloo and a BBC adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Allow at least an hour and a half for a visit including the shop and café.
Highlights
- Weaving shed with 308 Lancashire looms
- Steam engine Peace, which powered the mill
- Two Lancashire boilers in the boiler house
- 120 foot brick mill chimney
- Guided tours showing cotton turned into cloth
- Film location for The King’s Speech and Peterloo
Permanent exhibitions
- Weaving shed – The weaving shed still contains 308 Lancashire looms, and weaving technicians demonstrate how cotton is turned into cloth.
- Steam engine Peace and boiler house – The mill engine and the two Lancashire boilers that supplied the steam; the engine is usually stationary, with occasional steam days.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Lancashire County Council (Lancashire Museums)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children up to the age of 18 enter free. |
The museum also lists an Xplorer pass for £25.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum states full disabled access and has disabled toilets; assistance dogs are welcome. The approach and the area around the museum are flat, but the flagged surface is uneven. A separate access statement is available as a PDF.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
- Baby changing facilities
Children up to the age of 18 enter free. Baby changing facilities are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The number 5 bus runs regularly from Burnley bus station to the mill.
By car
Free parking
Free parking is available at the museum.
The mill is about 3 miles outside Burnley town centre and 3 miles from junction 12 of the M65; follow the brown signs.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The café serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and locally made cakes.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours are led by experienced guides, who explain the history of the mill, show the process from raw cotton to woven cloth and demonstrate the machines. The museum advises allowing at least 1.5 hours including the shop and café. School sessions are offered for key stages 1 and 2. |
