A Tour of Queens Street Mill

Experience the sights and sounds of Lancashire’s industrial past, when local streets rang with millworkers’ chatter and the sound of their clogs on the cobbles. Visit and discover what it was really like to work in a cotton mill with the sights, smells and sounds of steam. Imagine the deafening noise as nearly 1,000 looms clattered throughout the day. Witness live demonstrations of working machinery and explore the lodge pond, historic steam engine and coal fired boilers. With rows of steam driven looms and its authentic atmosphere the weaving shed at Queen Street Mill has featured in films, such as The King’s Speech, Peterloo and A Christmas Carol. With panoramic views across the magnificent Calder Valley, Queen Street Mill is utterly unique, as it is the last remaining steam-driven weaving shed from the 1800s. Imagine when the imposing chimney was one amongst a forest of such chimneys as far as the eye could see? Take the opportunity to stroll around the village of Harle Syke, once one of the most important weaving villages in Lancashire, or venture further afield on one of the many walks across this fascinating landscape.

Date:  6^th October 2026

10.30am.  We meet for tea, coffee and biscuits.

11.00am.  A private guided tour of the mill and engine room.

12.45am.  Depart for lunch at the HAPPA café, a 10 minute drive away (optional).

Cost £12 per head for the tour and refeshments payable on booking

Organiser:  Roger Grimshaw

Refreshments:  Tea or coffee included before the tour

Reserve your place by emailing roger@digspag.org.uk

Accessibility:  The mill is largely single-storey, with only the engine house requiring guests to go up and downstairs, however there is a lift available to the engine room that can accommodate prams and wheelchairs, but it may not be able to accommodate motorised wheelchairs depending, on their size. The floor is mostly original and therefore a little uneven in places.  Accessible parking directly outside the mill, and also accessible toilets. Folding stools are available for anyone who may struggle with mobility and we can arrange to have additional chairs placed around the museum if required.

If you wish to join us for lunch, you can pay for this on the day but you will need to pre-book your choices.  We visited the café after the recent Briercliffe walk and we all agreed that it was excellent.  We’ll be in touch with those who have booked the tour, towards the end of September.