Business Details
Visit Coldharbour Mill: A Living Heritage Wool Museum in Devon
Established in 1797, Coldharbour Mill stands as one of the UK's oldest continuously operating woollen mills, preserving centuries of textile heritage. Our site in Uffculme, Devon, offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the Industrial Revolution through working machinery, static exhibits, and live demonstrations. The mill's rich history, once owned by renowned textile producers Fox Brothers, showcases the transformation of fleece into yarn and cloth using global raw materials.Today, we combine heritage preservation with modern educational initiatives, featuring steam engines, boilers, and a 12-acre estate with wetlands and the UK's largest operational breast-shot waterwheel. Our dedicated team and volunteers ensure the mill remains a nationally significant site, offering immersive experiences through events, workshops, and membership programs that connect local and international audiences with industrial history.
Services
Museum Admission
Steam Days
Craft Workshops
Membership Program
Volunteering Opportunities
Heritage Education
Event Hosting
Textile Production
Wildlife Exploration
Archive Access
Highlights and features
- We offer unique insights into the UK's industrial heritage with a working wool mill operational since 1797
- Our team includes experts in textile conservation and heritage education
- We provide hands-on experiences with nationally important steam machinery
- Our 12-acre estate combines industrial history with environmental conservation
- We have received royal recognition for volunteer excellence
Associations and certifications
- King's Award for Voluntary Service
What people say
Best-preserved textile mill
Engaging educational experiences
Well-maintained exhibits
Expert demonstrations
Beautiful surroundings
Services
Museum Admission
Explore our preserved industrial heritage with access to working textile machinery, static exhibits, and 12 acres of historic grounds. Visitors experience the Industrial Revolution through live demonstrations and interactive displays. The admission includes access to steam engines, boilers, and the UK's largest operational breast-shot waterwheel.
Steam Days
Witness historic steam technology in action during special event days. Expert operators demonstrate Victorian-era engines and boilers while explaining their role in industrial development. These events combine education with entertainment, showing how steam power transformed textile production during the 19th century.
Craft Workshops
Participate in hands-on craft experiences led by expert instructors. Learn traditional textile techniques and modern adaptations in purpose-built workshop spaces. These sessions cater to all skill levels, from beginners discovering new crafts to experienced makers refining their techniques.
Membership Program
Join our community with annual membership benefits including unlimited free admission and event access. Members directly support heritage conservation while enjoying exclusive opportunities to engage with textile history through special programs and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Volunteering Opportunities
Contribute to heritage preservation through diverse volunteer positions. Participants work with historic machinery, assist in textile production, or engage with visitors while gaining new skills. Our award-winning volunteer program has supported community involvement for over 40 years.
People
Martin Halse
Chief Executive
With extensive business improvement experience across multiple sectors, Martin provides strategic leadership to Coldharbour Mill. He combines heritage preservation with modern business practices, working with stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth while maintaining the site's historical integrity.
Meg Stavaru
Heritage Engagement Manager
A textile design expert with awards from the Batsford Prize and Society of Dyers, Meg brings academic excellence from Norwich University. She develops engaging heritage programs, building on her experience at Queen Street Mill and Whitchurch Silk Mill to enhance visitor experiences.
Pippa Griffith
South West Museum Development Officer
As Mid-Devon's Museum Development Officer, Pippa provides specialist support for museum development. Her local knowledge and expertise in museum practices help Coldharbour Mill maintain high standards in collection care and exhibition development across the southwest region.
Helena Jaeschke
Conservation Development Officer
Helena offers expert conservation advice to southwest museums through Arts Council England's government scheme. With responsibility for over 500 museums, she provides critical support for Coldharbour Mill's collection care strategies while balancing regional conservation needs.
Morwena Stephens
Textiles & Ethnographic Artefacts Conservator
Specialising in textile conservation, Morwena provides training and strategic guidance for Coldharbour Mill's historic fabric collections. Her expertise ensures proper preservation of the mill's significant textile heritage while supporting ongoing research and educational initiatives.
Questions
What are Coldharbour Mill's opening times?
We're open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am-4pm for museum access and shop visits.
How can I become a member?
Join online via our website or contact us directly for membership forms at £30 individual/£75 family annually.
Are there volunteering opportunities available?
Yes! We offer diverse volunteering roles from machinery operation to visitor engagement across multiple departments.
What special events do you host?
We run Steam Days, craft workshops, the Heritage Craft Festival, and tartan design competitions annually.
Is the site accessible for all visitors?
We provide accessibility information on our website and welcome visitors with specific requirements to discuss needs.
Can I host private events at the mill?
Our venue hire options include spaces for special occasions - contact us for availability and requirements.
Reviews (4)
Alan Morris
Jan 06, 2022
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Excellent experience, highly recommended. There is no substitute for being next to the magnificent machinery when it is in full flow! Without exception, all the volunteers here were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I definitely mean to return, preferably on a steam day!!!
Michael & Julie Bowell
Nov 14, 2021
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What an amazing and interesting working museum this is, with steam & production days, craft & art events and informative guided tours giving an insight into the local wool & textile production's origins and history. There is a large free car park, a quality cafe & gift shop and almost every area has good access for people with disabilities. Well worth taking up the annual membership for a small additional cost to the day entry fee, as allows unlimited free visits including steam days for a year. We highly recommend visiting for either a family day out, or anyone with an interest into industrial
Lynne Brady
Nov 05, 2021
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Great day spent here for a steam day event. The tour's are good and ran by volunteers. The mill is set in beautiful surroundings. Well worth a visit here if you are in the area. Good cafe on site with both indoor and outdoor seating. Picnic area also available with a children's play area located on site.
Skw
Sep 16, 2021
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Was very quiet so gave us plenty of time to read all the information on each stage of the process. We declined the audio guide which was free of any additional charge. We enjoyed the coffee and cake in the little cafe bit the shop was a little disappointing with limited choice of items to purchase. An interesting morning out.
