Your visit starts here
Have a great day out visiting us. We are nestled near the foothills of the Peak District. We reveal how a town became a global centre for silk production, textiles and design.
“Unique, fascinating and utterly absorbing. Brilliantly presented too. A visit to Paradise Mill is not to be missed.”
The Silk Museum is located over two historic sites. Our collections of textiles and industrial machinery are displayed at the original Macclesfield School of Art. Next door is Paradise Mill, designated by Historic England and home to the largest collection of silk Jacquard handlooms in Europe.
Visit us to see how the Jacquard mechanism laid the foundations for our digital age.
Be inspired by our historic archive of pattern books, the largest collection in the north.
See how designs were created and then transformed onto silk using different printing methods.
Discover the stories of the people connected to the industry and how they led Macclesfield to become an international centre for design and silk manufacturing.
A great day out for everyone.
Book paradise mill tour
Wednesday to Saturdays
Treacle Market Sundays - book here
Guided Tours
Paradise Mill is the heart of the Silk Museum experience. Our welcoming tour guides demonstrate the process of weaving on the looms. The Mill dates from the 1860s and remains largely unchanged since the last day it was operated in 1981 by Cartwright and Sheldon. It now provides a look into what everyday life was like for silk workers in Macclesfield.
Absorb the colours and textures in this atmospheric place and discover a world of stories as our tour guides reveal the characters and events over the years. Paradise Mill is visited only through a guided tour, and these are held from Wednesday to Saturday. On Treacle Market Sundays (the last Sunday of each month) it is open for Look Around visits - please book through What’s On or through the link on this page.
Group tours
Visit us with your group for a brilliant day out.
A guided tour of Paradise Mill reveals a world of stories. Discover social history, engineering and technology, fashion and design.
We are close to the foothills of the Peak District and the borders of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Greater Manchester so we can form part of a wider itinerary.
We can tailor a package to meet your needs.
Group Guided Tours
Paradise Mill - £10.50 per Adult
Silk Museum - £6.00 per Adult.
Please note: A Group is 10 Adults or more.
Education visits
We welcome learners of all ages for a variety of educational visits.
Families
The Silk Museum welcomes families to visit. Our younger visitors enjoy exploring the Ancient Egyptian collections and our marvellous industrial machinery. We also host a number of events and activities throughout the year so be sure to check our What’s On pages.
cafe & shop
Our gift shop is packed with a beautiful range of goods that you cannot find elsewhere. Paradise is our own silk range of accessories, including earrings and cufflinks. We also stock jewellery made by local makers as well as gifts and cards. Come and relax and enjoy a cup of tea or freshly ground coffee and a slice of homemade cake in the Tea Room.
Find us
The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield Cheshire, SK11 6TJ.
Sat nav: SK11 6JT
The Silk Museum is located on Park Lane in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on the edge of the Peak District. The museum is a 5-minute walk from Macclesfield train station. There are car parks nearby.
Tel: 01625 612045
info@silkmacclesfield.org.uk