The Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, Macclesfield SK11 6TJ

Details

Accessibility

https://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/visit-1#ACCESSIBILITY

"The Silk Museum is split over two sites. Paradise Mill is a listed industrial building accessed via three flights of  shallow stairs, totalling 49 steps and there is wheelchair access through the lift. The Silk Museum is all on the ground floor and is suitable for prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, crutches and Zimmer frame users. A unisex disabled access toilet, with baby changing facilities is available at the Silk Museum. There is a disabled parking bay in the nearby Old Library car park."

"Access at Paradise Mill:

Paradise Mill is a listed industrial building. It has original features, which means that the floor is uneven and some of the spaces are small. Paradise Mill can be accessed by a recently refurbished lift suitable for wheelchairs and via three flights of stairs, totalling 49 steps.

Paradise Mill is part of the Silk Museum. Click here for more details on access at the Silk Museum."

Brief description

https://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/about-us

"The Silk Museum is the only silk museum in the north of England. Silk linked Macclesfield on the edge of the Peak District National Park to France, Italy, China and beyond. We are dedicated to telling the world of stories that began here. Explore our varied collection of pattern books, industrial machinery, textiles and artefacts from Ancient Egypt. Discover how they are linked by silk.  "

https://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/paradise-mill

"Paradise Mill is the factory floor part of the Silk Museum and is open to the public for guided tours. 

The mill is the sole survivor of Macclesfield’s industrial and creative past, housing the largest collection of silk Jacquard handlooms in their original setting, plus a recreated Design Suite. Macclesfield was at one time the world's largest producer of finished silk, with 5,000 looms in 71 mill factories. The Jacquard mechanism, perfected by Joseph-Marie Jacquard, is considered a precursor to modern computing because it  used binary code to automate a machine. This transformed the weaving process, catapulting industrial production into an era of great progress.

Built in 1862, Paradise Mill produced luxury silk goods for an international audience including retailers such as Liberty of London until it closed in 1981 and has been left largely untouched until this day." https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1279976  + https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1220886 +  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-68469493

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macclesfield_Museums

2025: "The Silk Museum"

Macclesfield became a centre of the Silk Industry during the Industrial Revolution. The museum hosts a collection of silk artwork, weaving machines, and silk historical artifacts. The building was originally known as the Macclesfield School of Art and opened in 1877 to train designers for the silk trade.[3]

"Paradise Mill is a former silk mill built in 1862, later converted into a working museum with 26 Jacquard looms.[4] It is built in brick with Welsh slate roofs, is in four storeys, and has a 13-bay front. The right three bays project forward and contain an Art Deco entrance.[5] "

Address

Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield  SK11 6TJ

+ Paradise Mill, Park Lane, Macclesfield SK11 6TJ [just south of the Silk Museum]

Email

info@silkmacclesfield.org.uk

Phone

01625 612045

Website

https://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/about-us

https://www.instagram.com/silkmuseummacc/?hl=en

https://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/paradise-mill

Directions

"The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield Cheshire, SK11 6TJ.

Instead of using SatNav please search for us using our postcode SK11 6TJ or by what3words chefs.bands.lovely

The Silk Museum is located on Park Lane in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on the edge of the Peak District.

Train: The museum is a 5-minute walk from Macclesfield train station.

Car: There are several car parks nearby, plus on street parking outside the museum for up to one hour.

Bike: There are many cycle routes in and around Macclesfield, including the Middlewood Way and Bollin Valley Way. Route 55 on the National Cycle Network passes a few streets from the museum. "

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

2025 "We are open Wednesday to Saturday from 10.00-16.00 The Silk Museum is free to enter, but we do kindly ask that you make a donation. 

Paradise Mill is available to visit through a guided tour only and we recommend pre-booking this ahead of your visit to avoid any disappointment.  "

Transport

Train: The museum is a 5-minute walk from Macclesfield train station.

Amenities

The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield Cheshire, SK11 6TJ:

"Tea Room: Fancy a cup of freshly brewed coffee from a local supplier? Or join us for a cuppa and a slice of  delicious cake. In our Tea Room you will find a selection of hot and cold drinks served alongside crisps, cakes, muffins and biscuits. Gluten free options are also available. 

 Museum Shop: Shop our unique collection of gifts, toys and books that have been inspired by the rich heritage of our museum collections."