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You are here > Things To Do > Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum and Country Park

Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum and Country Park
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Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum and Country Park

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About

Coldharbour Mill Museum currently remains closed as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The team are working hard to reintroduce our volunteer teams to the site, with a public opening coming at a later date. To keep up to date with re-opening please visit www.coldharbourmill.org.uk

Coldharbour Mill is one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK having been in continuous production since 1797 and is recognised by Historic England as “probably one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the country”.  Largely untouched since the industrial revolution, the rich heritage lives on as it continues to use the traditional looms and machinery to produce high quality knitting yarn and fabrics using methods handed down through generations. It is a working wool museum where visitors are not just able to relive the sights and sounds of the industrial revolution, but also see craftspeople making traditional textiles, beautiful knitting yarn and hand-woven rugs. Mentioned in the Doomsday Book, the mill was originally a grist mill which is still present on the site but changed to a woollen mill to respond to the ample resources – including sheep and water the site presented.

The café and shop are open to the public when the museum and factory are open.

Originally Coldharbour Mill was owned by world-renowned textile producers and Quakers, Fox Brothers. In 1796, aged 49, Thomas Fox, the son of a Cornish Quaker, took control of the family business in Wellington and renamed it Thomas Fox & Co. Despite a decline in the textile industry at the time, he had plans to improve the business and the machinery it used. It was his idea to purchase the Coldharbour Mill site in Devon and build a new factory there.

Six of his seven sons joined the family business, which then became known as Fox Brothers & Co, it became one of the largest textile businesses in Britain by the late 19th century, employing about 5,000 people

As part of a Quaker family, Thomas Fox believed in looking after people. He acquired around 70 cottages near Coldharbour Mill to provide reasonably priced accommodation for his workers and established a “Working Men’s Institute” in Uffculme for “Recreation and Improvement” which still exists today.

From the time of World War I, Coldharbour Mill spun worsted yarn for the puttees that Fox Brothers supplied to the military - a puttee is a length of fabric that gave extra protection to the legs of soldiers in combat. During the wars over 12 million pairs of puttees were made along with over 7 million yards of khaki serge for military uniforms – making it one of the largest suppliers to the military. This was done at the same time as the company was producing the high-quality fabric that clothed the likes of Winston Churchill and other notable 20th century figures.

Fox Brothers were also credited with being instrumental in bringing the industrial revolution to the South West. The water wheel gave way to an impressive steam complex which remains at the Mill today. The steam complex is complete with the original Lancashire boiler and engines. These are regularly operated on Steam Up! Days, when the waterwheel is also run.


A visit to Coldharbour Mill is a rare chance to step back in time and experience the sights and smells of a traditional factory from the impressive chimney that dominates the village of Uffculme right through to the unique smell of wool and oil. Many of the exhibits are interactive and the factory floor is largely unchanged since Victorian times with line shafting carrying power around the factory.

Guided tours and experienced craftspeople take you through the story while the café is set on the leat edge where fish and kingfishers now dominate the waterway. The factory shop sells a wide range of Mill produced goods. Children’s trails and dressing up are also available. We have a membership scheme for regular visitors which also holds additional benefits.

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Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult£11.00 per ticket
Child (5-16yrs)£6.00 per ticket
Concession (60+, disabled, carers, and students)£10.00 per ticket
Family Saver Day Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children, 5-16)£29.50 per ticket

Above pricing excludes Gift Aid
Children under 5 - Free
Essential helpers assisting disabled visitors - Free

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Attraction Facilities

  • Shop
  • Tea Rooms

Catering

  • On-Site café/restaurant
  • Picnic Site
  • Tea Room

COVID-19 Response

  • 1m distancing in place
  • 2m distancing in place
  • Advance booking essential
  • Capacity limit
  • Clear signage
  • Contactless payment possible
  • COVID-19 measures in place
  • COVID-19 risk assessment completed
  • COVID-19 staff training completed
  • Currently closed
  • Deep cleaning between visitors
  • Floors clearly marked for social distancing
  • Hand sanitizer available to visitors & staff
  • Hygiene screens in place
  • Online booking only
  • Online booking possible
  • Online ordering available
  • Outside seating
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
  • Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
  • Socially distanced spaced seating
  • Staff required to regularly wash hands

Establishment Features

  • Coach drop-off point
  • Dog Friendly
  • Dogs Accepted - On leads.
  • On-site Restaurant/Cafe
  • Picnic Area
  • Toilets - inc baby changing facilities

Key Features

  • Families
  • Groups
  • In countryside
  • Indoor Attraction
  • Outdoor Attraction

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking - Free of charge, also spaces available for coaches.
  • Parking (free)

Payment Methods

  • All major credit cards accepted

Specialist Features

  • Family Fun
  • Marketed towards families
  • Marketed towards senior citizens

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Educational Visits Accepted - Essential to pre-book.
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups - Escorted Guided Tours for Groups any day. Essential to pre-book
  • Guided Tours Available for Individuals

Travel & Trade

  • Group discounts available
  • Wi-fi available

Venue Facilities

  • Groups Accepted

Map & Directions

View Map

Road Directions

Coldharbour Mill is only 5 minutes by car from Junction 27 of the M5 - follow the signs to Willand (B3181), then the brown tourist signs saying ‘Working Wool Museum’ to Uffculme.

Public Transport Directions

The nearest mainline railway station is Tiverton Parkway. 

There are bus connections from Exeter, Cullompton, Tiverton, and Taunton (see below).

Stagecoach Devon Route 1 (‘Culm Valley Connect’) Exeter/Tiverton/Exeter; seven days, but reduced service on Sundays & Public Holidays.

First Route 22 Taunton/Wellington/Uffculme/Tiverton; six days. No service on Sundays & Public Holidays.

The stop nearest the Mill is ‘Russet Close/Coldharbour Mill’ - 5 minutes walk to main entrance via the car park. 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColdharbourMill/

Access Information

PARKING

Parking is provided for visitors
Parking on site
With designated parking for visitors with disabilities

LIFT

There is a lift
Lift buttons have raised numbers or letters

ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS (Displays, exhibits, rides etc)

Level access, ramp or lift to a public toilet
Level access, ramp or lift to dining area
Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to:
Gift shop

CAFETERIA / RESTAURANT

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to the:
Cafeteria
Meals for guests with special dietary requirements can be provided

STAFF

Some staff have specialised disability knowledge or skills, eg sign language

GENERAL

Good colour / tonal contrast used throughout the attraction e.g. doors contrast strongly with floors/walls
Non-smoking policy throughout the attraction
Wheelchairs provided

This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.

Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 3EE

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Opening Times

Season (30 Mar 2021 - 31 Oct 2021)
DayTimes

* Open Tuesday to Thursday, also bank holiday Mondays, and some Sundays for special events and Steam Days, please check the What's On page of the Coldharbour Mill website. Adult groups and school parties are welcome every day throughout the year by prior arrangement. Please phone or email for more information, and to make a booking. 

Open every bank holiday

Awards

  • TripAdvisor AwardsTripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2017
  • Visit BritainWe're Good to Go We're Good to Go 2020

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