I went on Saturday, after returning from a nearby spa hotel where I'd celebrated my 70th birthday. I was going to be staying in Macclesfield for an additional night or two. It's annoying that it's closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. I thought that I'd learn something. I didn't. It was poorly laid out and the signage, and information panels, were abysmal. Some were hidden behind stored furniture items and were impossible to read. Why did Macclesfield become the centre for silk production? Where did the silk come from? What was the order of production? Did one mill/factory do all the different finishes or did different mills do different things? There was a television film but it was impossible to hear, as the sound was on too low and the noise from the gift shop (voices) put paid to any hearing of it. There was a small tactile station of velvet, cotton, silk etc. swatches but they'd worked loose and were hanging off the display. Very poor that the staff hadn't reattached them. I hadn't paid for a guided tour or to go to the Paradise Mill next door. One good thing was that I'd arrived by bus from the spa hotel at around midday, and my check-in time for the Macclesfield hotel was 3pm so I had my luggage with me. The staff stored my luggage in a staff area. I'm disabled but no-one told me about the lift as I was encouraged to see the exhibitions upstairs, which I actually enjoyed. The Egyptian room was confusing. That should have been in a side room at the end somewhere. I understand that it's important to include LGBTQ scenarios but I went to the museum to find out about silk production in Macclesfield. The Egyptian room wasted my time and much diminished energy as an older, disabled person. A ramp/disabled entrance would have been welcome too. Altogether a confusing and disappointing experience.

We decided to visit the silk Museum in Macclesfield. We booked online which was really easy to do. You can't gain access to the upper Mill without pre-booking your ticket online as they don't have the facility to take money for that part in the museum itself. The downstairs museum is free to visit but of course donations are always welcome so that they can keep the place open. While we waited for our time slot to visit The upper floor, we wandered around the museum side. It's quite a well-appointed Museum and has a gift shop and a nice Cafe. Once our time slot arrived, we were met by Daisy. What this woman does not know about the museum! Highly knowledgeable and a delight to listen to, and clearly very passionate about the mill. In fact, having the guided tour with Daisy really made this visit worthwhile. You can't go into the upper Mill without somebody like her, although you are allowed to wander around by yourself, she was there to answer any questions we had and generally keep an eye on us. The machinery may be ancient, but it's still quite a dangerous place. The upper Mill has an introductory video telling you about a brief potted history, but you can see for yourself the cocoons which make up the silk, the machines that were once used, and floors in their original condition. We had allowed ourselves about an hour to an hour and a half for our visit, but just over 2 hours later we popped out the front doors! Highly recommend this venue as a place of interest for Macclesfield!

Wow, what an amazing museum, I’ve wanted to visit The Silk museum for years and this year I made it and was not disappointed. Daisy, our tour guide was an awesome fountain of knowledge and full of enthusiasm and passion for her chosen field of expertise. I would full recommend any visitor to Macclesfield and local residents to visit this museum and soak in this amazing history that made Macclesfield great. Linda & Wayne, Hampshire.

Visiting the Silk Museum and Paradise Mill was an enlightening experience. The museum, housed in the historic Macclesfield School of Art building, offers a rich collection of textiles, fashion, and industrial machinery, showcasing the town’s pivotal role in the silk industry. The exhibits delve into the lives of the workers and the evolution of silk production, providing a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s impact on the community.  The guided tour of Paradise Mill was a highlight. Walking through the preserved 1930s mill, we saw 26 restored Jacquard looms in action, demonstrating the intricate process of silk weaving. The knowledgeable guides brought the history to life, sharing stories of the mill workers and the technological advancements of the time.   The museum also features interactive displays and detailed explanations of design processes, from initial sketches to finished silk products. It’s fascinating to see how the Jacquard mechanism laid the foundations for our digital age.  Admission to the Silk Museum is free, with donations appreciated, while the Paradise Mill tour requires a ticket. The experience is well worth it for anyone interested in industrial history, textiles, or local heritage. Highly recommended! 

Hidden gem! Tucked down a side street this is a great place to visit and it's free! Fascinating Egyptian section plus interesting history covering Barnabas day and facts on how the silk mills transformed the wealth of the area. Hands on exhibits. Small cafe serving tea in very nice cups and saucers plus cake.