Victorian experience

Step back in time to the 19th century when Queen Victoria reigned. Children can absorb how their contemporaries lived during the Victorian age. Choose from three different sessions. During the visit the children will split into groups which rotate around 3 different sessions. Each session is delivered by an enthusiastic member of our experienced education team.

SESSION 1 : PARADISE MILL TOUR

Tour historic Paradise Mill with an experienced tour guide. On the tour you will see how important the Silk industry was to Macclesfield and also consider what life was like working in a Victorian mill. The children will be provided with costumes to wear for their mill tour. There is currently no lift access to the mill and it is accessed by a number of steps. Due to the walk to the mill and the height of the machinery we do not recommend this session for children younger than Year 2.

SESSION 2 : Victorian childhood

What was life like for Victorian children? In this session you will visit our Victorian Cottage and be introduced to home life. They will then move on to school life - who will wear the Dunce’s Cap? The session finishes with a discussion of toys and time to play with them.

During this session there is a lot of time to be hands on with Victorian artefacts.

SESSION 3 : Rag rug making

Make your own rag rug using a rag rugger tool. Why were rag rugs made? Who made the rugs? Children will discuss the materials that would have been used and learn more about them.

SESSION 4 : Victorian Illusions (craft activity)

In this session the children will make their own Victorian toy; a thaumatrope. They will get to see Victorian illusions before making their own toy.

Download a school booking form to be returned to education@silkmacclesfield.org.uk

price & details

£11 per pupil.

10am – 2pm.

Maximum number of children 30 / one class.

Keystage

Suitable for KS1 and KS2. We do not currently recommend the mill tour for younger visitors given the steps to get there and the height of the machinery.

For younger children we can offer a version of the mill tour in the machine gallery. We will break the day up with shorter sessions and times for singing.

LOCATION

The Silk Museum, Park Lane, SK11 6TJ

For further information visit our Visits FAQ page