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This is one of the hidden gems of the Culm Valley. Lying between the river Culm and the pretty village of Uffculme is, as the Daily Telegraph has described it, "A most evocative waterside complex......a rare treasure".
Built in 1799 by Thomas Fox, Coldharbour Mill is Devon's last surviving Spinning Mill from the Georgian era. It still continues today to produce both worsted and woolen knitting yarns and the Mill also weaves its own cloths including the popular Devon, Somerset and Blackdown Hills Tartans.
There are few places in Britain that offer such a stunning example of English Industrial History and where visitors can still witness the manufacture of yarn using period textile machinery.
Coldharbour Mill has been a registered museum and charity since 1982 and is both a unique piece of social and industrial history and an enthralling family day out. Visitors to the mill can go on a guided tour of the factory and witness the sights and the sounds of the machinery in operation. The museum also has an array of steam plant, including a rare 1910 Politt & Wigzell Steam Engine, an 1867 Beam Engine and 2 Lancashire Boilers dating from 1888 and 1910. The engines are steamed on special Steam-Up days and visitors are advised to telephone the museum before their visit to check for Steam-Up times & dates.
The museum is hoping to have the restoration of its 1821 water wheel restored by August 2004. When complete it will be the only wheel in Britain that is still operating in-situ, in its original wheel house. It will also be the largest water wheel in the South West. The wheel last turned in 1978 when it was used to power the machinery in the Combing Shed for the twilight shift.
Other attractions include:
- Beautiful Surroundings
- Mill Shop
- Licensed Restaurant
- The Fox Exhibition Gallery
- The Culm Valley Millennium Screen
- Carpenter's Workshop
- 1940s Air Raid Shelter
- Steam Engines
- Guided Tours & Machine demonstrations
- Picnic Areas
Coldharbour Mill offers a wide range of National Curriculum based visits for Schools, including Victorian Role-Play, Materials & Fibres, Britain since the 1930s, Energy & Forces. Please call the museum for further details.
Point of Contact:
- The Curatorial & Education Assistant
- Coldharbour Mill
- Uffculme
- Cullompton
- Devon
- EX15 3EE
- Tel: 01884 840960
Registered Charity No: 284294
Opening Times March to October - 10:30am to 5pm daily, last tour at 3:30pm (Please note that all times and events are subject to change and you are advised to telephone the museum to check for times and any changes). The main factory has a lift but it must be noted that the site is only partially accessible for wheel chair access. The Coldharbour Mill Trust is currently working to improve the site's access for all.
Coldharbour Mill is administered by a charitable trust and relies on income from visitors, donations, grants, bequests and help from The Friends of Coldharbour Mill.
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