Whitchurch Silk Mill

Whitchurch Silk Mill Weaving in Hampshire, England since 1830 Whitchurch Silk Mill is the oldest silk mill in the UK still in its original building.

A gem of industrial heritage in beautiful, rural Hampshire, Whitchurch Silk Mill is a Georgian water mill that weaves silk using 19th century machinery.

Less than 10 years ago, silk weaving in Whitchurch almost disappeared. Our last weaver had retired and morale was low. T...
28/05/2026

Less than 10 years ago, silk weaving in Whitchurch almost disappeared. Our last weaver had retired and morale was low. Time was running out.

Then, there was hope. A new trainee began, with our retired weaver returning to teach her the weaving techniques that spanned generations here at the Mill. This trainee had the future of Whitchurch Silk in her hands.

Fast forward to the present day - Whitchurch Silk Mill's weaving team is now up to 4. That young trainee is now our Heritage Weaving Manager, teaching her team the vital skills that were taught to her, day-by-day.

This has been made possible through the generosity of our dedicated supporters. 🌟

Interested in supporting our future? Become a Patron of Whitchurch Silk Mill and preserve these rare crafts. To find out more about your impact, and even what's in it for you, visit whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/become-a-mill-patron.

Don't let our iconic British heritage become lost in history. 🧵

Image Credits: Kirsty Bowen Photography

26/05/2026

Watch as this skein of silk is wound onto bobbins on our historic winding frame! 🧵

Now primarily used to wind cones of silk onto bobbins, this winding frame can also be used for winding skeins, using rotating swifts to lay out the silk. As the swift spins, the silk unwinds and is guided up the machine onto a bobbin. We time the winding of each bobbin, allowing us to calculate exactly the right amount of silk on each bobbin, ready to move to the creel for warping.

Make sure you're following us to see each stage of the weaving process as it progresses! 🧵

There's less than one month until Whitchurch Silk Mill's first-ever Flower Festival! 🌸Join us at this fun, fresh and flo...
25/05/2026

There's less than one month until Whitchurch Silk Mill's first-ever Flower Festival! 🌸

Join us at this fun, fresh and floral event, with a weekend full of activity! Take a trip around Whitchurch Silk Mill, exploring fabulous arrangements and displays, intricate crafts, local produce and floristry. There'll also be appearances from SoilSmiths, Greening Whitchurch, Jasmine Watts of Art-K, Whitchurch In Bloom, Four Seasons by Sarah, and our very own gardening team. There's even more yet to be announced! Where could be better to celebrate the beauty of nature than right on the banks of the River Test?

This festival runs from Friday 19th June-Sunday 21st June 2026, with all proceeds in aid of Whitchurch Silk Mill. For only £10, you can preserve the future of heritage silk weaving and enjoy a glorious day out, celebrating the beauty of the natural world here in Hampshire! 🧵

Buy your ticket here: whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/event/flower-festival 🌻

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How long does weaving really take? 🔍If you haven't heard, we're currently weaving the 'Regency' collection; a series of ...
24/05/2026

How long does weaving really take? 🔍

If you haven't heard, we're currently weaving the 'Regency' collection; a series of 14 Whitchurch Silk ribbons woven on our historic looms.

We're often asked how long it takes to weave on our looms - this can vary from project to project, or loom to loom. Generally, we can weave about 5 metres a day! Each pirn of silk thread holds 11 grams of silk, creating the weft. When weaving, it's sometimes difficult to calculate specific timings, as we also spend time adjusting and monitoring the loom as it weaves, fixing broken threads or mechanical issues!

As you can see, it's an extremely involved process - but one we've been sustaining for over 200 years. Visit Whitchurch Silk Mill to see silk production in real time, preserving heritage crafts for the next generation. 🧵

whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/plan-your-visit

If you didn't manage to visit on the first Bank Holiday, here's another chance - Whitchurch Silk Mill is also open this ...
23/05/2026

If you didn't manage to visit on the first Bank Holiday, here's another chance - Whitchurch Silk Mill is also open this Monday, 25th May! ☀️

Visit between 10.30am and 5pm to discover the magic of heritage silk weaving, explore our beautiful grounds and enjoy a tasty treat in our award-winning Riverside Café.

Book online or turn up on the day, you're free to choose. We're also open regularly from Tuesday-Sunday! 🧵

whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/tickets

We just wanted to let our visitors know that on Saturday 6th June 2026, the Mill, grounds and café will be closing at 2p...
22/05/2026

We just wanted to let our visitors know that on Saturday 6th June 2026, the Mill, grounds and café will be closing at 2pm, due to our Regency Picnic event! Last orders in the café will be at 1.30pm. 👒

If you'd like to join this fabulous afternoon of picnicking, you can still buy tickets here! ⬇️
whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/event/regency-picnic

We thank you for your understanding. 🧵

Here in rural Hampshire, we weave a stunning story. 🧣Created by a small team of heritage weavers, our silk scarves are a...
21/05/2026

Here in rural Hampshire, we weave a stunning story. 🧣

Created by a small team of heritage weavers, our silk scarves are a testament to the craftsmanship nurtured here at Whitchurch Silk Mill for generations.

For our latest scarves, our 'Solstice' silk made its way to Ciment Pleating, the oldest pleaters in the UK. Our signature ombre stripes contrast beautifully with the dynamic pleating, combining two rare crafts in this limited-edition silk scarf.

This absolutely stunning scarf hangs beautifully and is the perfect gift for someone special. With only five available, we don't imagine they will hang around for long! To buy yours, head to shop.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/products/solstice-pleated-scarf or visit our Mill Shop in-person, Tuesday-Sunday, 10.30am-5pm. 🧵

19/05/2026

Every second spent with our historic looms is a treasured moment. When we're fortunate enough to have multiple looms running at once, it's even better! 🌟

Here, our weavers are working on contrasting projects across two different looms. Loom 9, weaving our 'Regency' ribbons, is a 1960s William Smith & Brothers loom, with a Hattersley-Keighley Dobby mechanism. In contrast, Loom 5, a 1908 William Smith & Brothers Tappet loom, is weaving 'Solstice'.

As you watch the video, notice the difference in each mechanism - Loom 9 uses the dobby frame on top to control the weave pattern, whereas Loom 3's tappet mechanism moves the shafts using a cam system.

Did you know you can still visit Whitchurch Silk Mill today? We're the last working silk mill in the UK still weaving silk in our original building! Come and visit us from Tuesday-Sunday, 10.30am-5pm. 🧵

whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/tickets

It's International Museum Day! Today we're joining almost 40,000 museums in over 150 countries to celebrate the worldwid...
18/05/2026

It's International Museum Day! Today we're joining almost 40,000 museums in over 150 countries to celebrate the worldwide impact of our important sites and buildings. 🌍

This year's theme is 'Museums Uniting a Divided World', highlighting museums as places which create bridges across cultural, social and political divides. Each museum offers a safe space to share, explore and learn, reflecting on past heritage and looking ahead to future innovation.

Here at Whitchurch Silk Mill, we're always thinking of new ways to unite communities, from our range of workshops and events, to the inclusive access of our collection. We champion the thought that no matter who someone is, or where they come from, all are welcome here at Whitchurch Silk Mill, ready to explore the world of heritage silk weaving.

Which museums are you celebrating this International Museum Day? 🧵



Image Credits: Kirsty Bowen Photography

The sun's out and so is 'Solstice'! ☀️These scrunchies are made from our 'Solstice' silk, an ombré organzine taffeta wov...
17/05/2026

The sun's out and so is 'Solstice'! ☀️

These scrunchies are made from our 'Solstice' silk, an ombré organzine taffeta woven on Loom 5. Each scrunchie supports the future of silk weaving, preserving our looms and skills for future generations.

Enjoy a piece of living heritage, carefully woven on our historic machinery. An affordable luxury you can't afford to miss!

To buy yours, visit shop.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/products/solstice-oversized-scrunchie or our Mill Shop! 🧵

Could you tell the tale of Whitchurch Silk Mill? 💬We're looking for passionate storytellers to share the magic of the Mi...
14/05/2026

Could you tell the tale of Whitchurch Silk Mill? 💬

We're looking for passionate storytellers to share the magic of the Mill - history buffs, textile enthusiasts, heritage fans and more!

Our storytellers are key to our visitor experience, bringing a personal touch to every visit, answering questions and sharing our story.

This volunteer role is perfect for all: students, workers, non-workers, retirees and all those in between! No prior knowledge is required, we'll teach you everything you need to know. 😊

To find out more, visit whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/opportunities 🧵

Image credits: Kirsty Bowen Photography

Address

Whitchurch Silk Mill, 28 Winchester Street
Whitchurch
RG287AL

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 5pm
Thursday 10:30am - 5pm
Friday 10:30am - 5pm
Saturday 10:30am - 5pm
Sunday 10:30am - 5pm

Telephone

01256892065

Website

http://linktr.ee/whitchurchsilkmill

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