Sunny Bank Mills

Sunny Bank Mills A creative space for business, arts and heritage.
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Our Arts & Heritage teams have been hard at work this week rearranging mill furniture, gathering props and prepping wage...
05/09/2026

Our Arts & Heritage teams have been hard at work this week rearranging mill furniture, gathering props and prepping wage packets for our Heritage Festival Clocking-In Trail next weekend!

During your visit to the Mills on 12th & 13th September, follow the family friendly trail to discover Everyday Histories amongst our artists’ studios and outdoor spaces, all signposted by colourful bunting and archival photos.

Read anecdotes from when the Mills were still producing cloth, stamp your card at each of the 6 spots, and bring your completed clocking-in card to the Gallery to collect your reward 🍫

Visit the Main Yard, Bobbin Room or any set of studios to get started.

This FREE drop-in is taking place alongside Heritage Open Days & Leeds Open Studios.

Find out more about the weekend on our website.

> https://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk/heritage/heritage-festival-2026/

> https://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk/open-studios-2026/

Donations welcomed on the day.
Suitable for all ages with no prebooking required.

Did you know that we curate a Zine Library themed to every new exhibition in the Gallery? Here’s our collection for the ...
04/09/2026

Did you know that we curate a Zine Library themed to every new exhibition in the Gallery? Here’s our collection for the Magic Show - featuring a huge range of work from Henshaws & Pyramid artists, alongside magic themed zines from artists who submitted work through our public open call.

These zines can be found alongside the exhibition until it’s close at the end of the month.

The open call for our next exhibition, Soft Light, is currently open! If you have a zine or artists’ book that fits the themes of light, darkness, winter etc - submit your work before midnight on 20th September.

Our open calls are always free and hosted through CuratorSpace. Find out more about Soft Light and to apply > https://www.curatorspace.com/opportunities/detail/soft-light--zine-open-call/10969

You may remember back in May, the British Museum visited Sunny Bank Mills to take samples from our historic dye ledgers....
03/09/2026

You may remember back in May, the British Museum visited Sunny Bank Mills to take samples from our historic dye ledgers. Now the story continues...

Rachel Moaby, our Heritage Director, recently visited the British Museum to learn more about the analysis of the 50 wool samples collected at the start of the Dyevolution project.

Since leaving Farsley, these tiny samples have undergone an extraordinary range of testing. They've been wet, dry, heated, spun and subjected to all kinds of scientific analysis in an effort to uncover the secrets of their colour.

The results are fascinating. They have revealed new insights into the dyes and processes used in the textile industry, but they've also raised as many questions as they've answered.

The research is still unfolding, and after presentations to conference in Helsinki this October we'll be able to tell you more about what we've discovered.

For now, these 50 little samples remind us that research is a journey. Every answer leads to another question, and that's what makes projects like Dyevolution so exciting.

As ever our thanks to the National Lottery for making this journey possible.

31/08/2026

Our Heritage Festival and Open Studios weekend is less than 2 weeks away!

Visit the link in our bio now to see the full programme for 12th & 13th September, including a free family trail, the chance to discover work from over 50 local artists and makers in our studios and Main Yard, Heritage Tours and much more!

We can’t wait to see you there.

[Reel shows Arts Director Anna in different parts of the site to advertise open studios at the Mills. In many of the clips, she is standing next to artists inside their studios, who are smiling and waving to the camera.]

Everyday objects can hold extraordinary stories.This year at our Heritage Festival we're celebrating the power of everyd...
30/08/2026

Everyday objects can hold extraordinary stories.

This year at our Heritage Festival we're celebrating the power of everyday histories and the objects that connect us to the people who came before us. A piece of cloth, a handwritten note, a well-used tool. Each carries traces of real lives, work, families and memories.

Our Archive Assistant, Dan has taken a look at an ordinary object from the collection and unearthed the story it tells. You can read all about it using this link. https://ow.ly/nHss50ZFw9y

For more stories like this about everyday objects, everyday people and everyday histories, visit us between 11th and 13th September 2026. Find full details on our Heritage Festival page on our website, here: https://ow.ly/jQJw50ZFw9w

28/08/2026

Join Zoe aka with Henshaws artmaker Debs at the Mills this September to create your own beaded wire decoration!

The Magical Weekender, featuring performances and workshops for all ages hosted by Pyramid & Henshaws, coincides with the final weekend of our current collaborative exhibition, The Magic Show.

All tickets for the Magical Weekender workshops are an absolute steal at just £14.50!

Come along to support Pyramid, Henshaws and their fantastic artists and tutors.

WIRE SCULPTURES
Saturday 26th September
15:00 – 17:00 | Ages 16+

This session led by Art Maker Debs and artist Zoe is a sensory exploration of bead and wire work - Henshaws style! Throughout the session, you will use techniques and processes which have been developed with Art Makers at Henshaws to make jewellery making accessible to all.

Expertly led by Debs, you’ll gain an insight into different ways of working (maybe even blindfolded) and make your own miniature keepsake beaded wire sculpture.

This session is aimed at ages 16+.

All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult at all time. Caregivers are encouraged to book their own spot and take part in the workshop.

All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Henshaws & Pyramid to provide transport and payment to their facilitators and artists.

Ticket prices are on a sliding scale, so please donate as much as you are comfortable with.

Visit the link in our bio to find out more about the Magical Weekender workshops and performances and to reserve your spot!

NEW WORKSHOP ALERT 🧶 We've lined up a series of exciting new weaving workshops with our Red Lane Mill studio holder and ...
27/08/2026

NEW WORKSHOP ALERT 🧶 We've lined up a series of exciting new weaving workshops with our Red Lane Mill studio holder and Museum & Archive expert David Fox.

David currently creates 3D woven work based on local textile heritage, and is employed in textile education. He weaves on multiple looms, including a Dobby Loom from the 1950s, with an interest in structure and a range of materials including paper.

Here's what David has in store for you;

PASSEMENTERIE for beginner weavers
Sat 19th September
10:00 - 16:00 | £130 | 16+

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weaving-passementerie-beginner-weaving-technique-with-david-fox-tickets-1997841386367

WEAVING WITH PAPER for intermediate weavers
Sat 26th September
10:00 - 16:00 | £140 | 18+

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weaving-with-paper-intermediate-weaving-technique-with-david-fox-tickets-1997850473547

WEAVING A BRACELET for beginners
in the Museum & Archive
Fri 4th December
11:00 - 16:00 | £70 | 16+

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weaving-a-bracelet-inspired-by-the-archive-tickets-1997852071326

Book soon to avoid disappointment!

Over the past weeks we’ve been taking part in 'Trivial Pursuit Leeds', the city‑wide trail that’s turned Leeds into a gi...
27/08/2026

Over the past weeks we’ve been taking part in 'Trivial Pursuit Leeds', the city‑wide trail that’s turned Leeds into a giant, walkable version of the classic board game.

Each category is hosted at a different cultural venue, and we are delighted to have been able to contribute to the displays and questions for the History wedge at the Royal Armouries.

The trail finishes on Sunday 30th so if you’re in Leeds before it wraps up, it’s well worth joining in. It’s free, fun, and a great way to explore the city’s heritage, one question at a time.

Photo credit Matt McCormick

It's the final week of the Summer Holidays! If you're struggling for ideas to entertain the kids, get a visit to the Mil...
26/08/2026

It's the final week of the Summer Holidays! If you're struggling for ideas to entertain the kids, get a visit to the Mills in your diary. Here's what's happening across the site;

🧪Free potion and wand making in the Gallery as part of The Magic Show
> https://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk/arts/gallery/the-magic-show/

🍬 Tiny Trims & Treats, Creative Cafe and Bestie Pampering at Candy Spa Kids
> https://bookwhen.com/candyspaforkids =ev-sos8-20250413100000

✏️ Free Big Sticker Draw drop-in at Scrap Creative Reuse Art Project
> https://www.instagram.com/p/DbxbQW_l4lE/?hl=en&img_index=1

🍃Summer Play sessions at The Welly Club Forest School
> https://bookwhen.com/thewellyclub =ev-smqmd-20260828100000

🐾 Pottery Painting at Pots & Paws
> https://www.potsandpaws.co.uk/reservations

👶 Soft Play at Jackaboos Indoor Playgym
> https://jackaboos.co.uk/play/

Plus loads of great food and drink, walks around the Mills' woodland, and shopping in our independent shops for back to school stationery and treats.

See you soon!

Calling all sewers, textile enthusiasts and avid watchers of The Great British Sewing Bee! We know you can never have en...
25/08/2026

Calling all sewers, textile enthusiasts and avid watchers of The Great British Sewing Bee!

We know you can never have enough textile love so we are sharing our dates for next year's Threads Textile Festival with you now!

Get the weekend of 15th-16th May 2027 in your diaries and join us for our 5th fabulous celebration of all things textile featuring a series of talks, workshops, pop-up exhibitions and a market with more than 50 textile stalls each day! Drop-in to our textile Museum & Archive and visit our Gallery for a special exhibition on costumes.

Get planning your outfits now for the return of the Me-Made competition, giving you the chance to win prizes for wearing your handmade outfits to the Festival during Me-Made-May.

Keep an eye out in early December for our Open Call for market vendors too!

Swipe through the images for a flavour of what past Threads Festivals were all about and join us in 2027 over the weekend of 15th-16th May.

Address

Sunny Bank Mills Gallery, Unit 14 Sandsgate, 83-85 Town Street
Farsley
LS285UJ

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441132563239

Website

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