Whitchurch Silk Mill

About the museum

Whitchurch Silk Mill stands on the River Test in the Hampshire town of Whitchurch. Building began around 1813, and silk merchant William Maddick bought the unfinished mill in 1817 and developed it into a silk-weaving works with a mill pond and a channel from the mill race. Several owners followed during the 19th century. In the 20th century the mill wove silk linings for Burberry coats and, from 1971, silk for academic and legal gowns.

By the 1980s the building was in poor repair. The Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust rescued it in 1985, and in 1990 it reopened as a working museum run by the Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust. A major restoration and development project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other donors, was completed in 2018.

Today visitors can watch silk being wound and woven on Victorian machinery. The weaving shed holds power looms made between the 1890s and the 1960s, and the mill is powered by a cast-iron undershot waterwheel from the 1890s that is turned by the river. The Welcome Building houses the shop and the Riverside Café, and the grounds include a nature trail beside the river.

Highlights

• Silk woven on power looms built between the 1890s and 1960s
• Original cast-iron waterwheel driven by the River Test
• Winding frames and warping machinery over 130 years old
• Mill shop selling silk made on site
• Riverside Café and nature trail in the mill grounds

Permanent exhibitions

• Silk weaving on historic looms – Working Victorian machinery for winding, warping and weaving silk, including power looms from the 1890s to the 1960s.
• The waterwheel – An original cast-iron undershot wheel turned by the River Test, with gears and shafts that carry its power to the machines.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust

Admission & discounts

A standard ticket can be used for free return visits for a whole year. Events are not included in the ticket price. Entry to the shop and the Riverside Café is free, and a ticket is needed only to enter the mill. Cash and cards are accepted, except American Express.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A platform lift serves the middle and top floors of the mill. It cannot take mobility scooters, but a wheelchair is available to borrow. Accessible toilets are in the Welcome Building and on the middle floor of the mill. A hearing loop is available. A large-print menu is available in the café on request. The displays include a video with sound and subtitles, objects to handle and a touch-screen explanation of the waterwheel. An illustrated access statement can be downloaded from the museum website. Assistance dogs are welcome. Two disabled parking spaces are on the mill forecourt and two more in the neighbouring public car park.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

A family ticket and a reduced price for children are offered, and objects can be handled in the mill. A nature trail with coloured markers leads through the grounds; ask at the shop. Baby changing is available in the Welcome Building.

Getting there & parking

The mill is halfway between Newbury and Winchester, close to the A34. The what3words location is crawled.obligated.roses.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Riverside Café has indoor and outdoor seating and a seasonal menu, and the café is on the ground floor. The mill shop in the Welcome Building sells silk woven on site, heritage crafts and gifts. Toilets and baby changing are in the Welcome Building. Only assistance dogs may enter the shop, café and mill; dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds and at the outdoor café seating.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 50 guests.

The Activity Space seats 50 people theatre style or 30 cabaret style and overlooks the gardens and the river. The whole mill and grounds can be hired for exclusive use. Wedding receptions and commemorations are offered.

Plan your visit