Textile Museum & Heritage Centre

Please note our Textile Museum, The Heritage Centre and Pals Exhibition are currently closed for Refurbishment.

We are proud of our rich history at the mill, visit our Textile Museum to see over 120 years of history of the mill come to life. 

Read about the Hargreaves family and their rich weaving history, the mill is currently operated by Boyd Hargreaves (6th generation). See tools and weaving machines used in days gone by including a ‘spinning jenny’ and a selection of Lancashire Looms. Explore the industrial revolution and see nostalgic items such as a victorian cast iron hearth, a tin bath and a washing dolly.

The Oswaldtwistle Mills Heritage Centre is a tribute to the history of the local area. The exhibition covers a variety of topics in the history of Oswaldtwistle, dating as far back as 4000BC, including how the town got its name, the pagan sacrifice of King Oswald, the use of the town as a prisoner of war camp in World War II and the development of the cotton trade which is such a vital part of Oswaldtwistle Mills’ history. .

Also visit our tribute to the valiant Accrington Pals battalion, 235 of whom were killed and 350 injured during just 10 minutes at the Battle of the Somme on July 1st 1916. The exhibition features photographs, historical documentation from the war, and is essential viewing for visitors with an interest in local history or the First World War.

The Heritage Centre/Pals Tribute is situated between our Gourmet Deli and Peacocks, admission is FREE

The Textile Museum is located near Rossendale Interiors at the corner of our fashion floor, admission is FREE