From small private parties to large society outings, we can accommodate groups of all sizes.

Paradise Mill Tour

Entrance to Paradise Mill is by guided tour only and lasts approximately one hour.

Our expert Guides will give you a personal tour of Europe’s largest known collection of Jacquard silk handlooms in their original setting. See all stages of the Jacquard silk weaving process from cocoon to the finished fabric, including a demonstration on one of our restored looms. This is a technology that laid the foundations for our digital age.

The Silk Museum

Visit the Silk Museum and explore the extensive displays of our unique collections at your own pace. We recommend at least an hour for your museum visit, but you are welcome to stay longer.  NEW for 2022 – we are offering guided tours of the Silk Museum, where expert guides will tell the stories of Macclesfield silk’s role in World War II in the production of parachutes and in creating silk maps – later made into stunning dresses.

We organise your visit itinerary specifically around your timings and group size. The focus of the mill tour can also be adapted to fit with your group’s interests.

Please contact [email protected] or call our Bookings Team on 01625 612045 between 10 -4pm Wed-Fri to chat about your requirements and book your group visit.

Watch the film here taking you on a video tour of this special place – a  unique piece of local history.

Email [email protected] to chat about your requirements and book your group visit.

Enjoy our refreshments for your group during a visit in our airy Tea Room serving delicious home-made cake and biscuits.

Choose from a variety of teas and quality filter coffee served in vintage china.

Although more weather dependent, we also offer refreshments and a variety of events.

Explore our Silk Shop and discover a beautifully curated range of quality gifts for your family and friends – and maybe a treat for yourself too!

Take home a memento of Macclesfield Silk from our range of beautiful scarves, ties, and our vintage Jacquard woven pictures.

With a nod to our silk weaving heritage, we stock a range of greeting cards and bobbins; the latter creatively up-cycled into practical homeware gifts. You can also purchase items from our ‘Paradise’ range of silk buttons, brooches and cufflinks – all made with hand-woven silk from the Paradise Mill Jacquard looms.

Looking for unique gifts created by local artisans? We stock a beautiful range of contemporary jewellery by Alison Stairmand and paper artist Liz Hamman amongst others.

We also stock a large selection of raw ‘Crafting Silk’ – ideal for a wide use of textile projects and silk paper making.

For art lovers, we sell a range of Charles Tunnicliffe books, cards and prints featured in our Museum collection. And for local historians, a variety of books about Macclesfield and it’s silk heritage.

• Experts in managing Group Tours – from small parties to large society outings
• Quality Customer Service from initial contact to the day of your visit
• Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff
• A range of Guided Tour Experiences
• Personalised itineraries tailored to your group
• Something for everyone – social history, engineering, technology, fashion, textile design and Egyptology
• Behind the scenes access to collections
• Within easy reach of motorways and other attractions in the area
• Awarded five consecutive years Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence

We’re very proud to have been awarded Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years – adding us to the elite Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Hall Of Fame.

This is only awarded to museums and attractions that provide consistently outstanding experiences and whose team offer first-class customer service to their visitors.

The Silk Museum:

Suitable for baby buggy/ pram, wheelchair, mobility scooter, crutches and zimmer frame users.

The main entrance to the museum has steps, but we also have a disabled access entrance.

The ground floor is step-free throughout and there is a lift to the first floor. Please note, some of the Tunnicliffe exhibition on the stairwell cannot be viewed by visitors with limited mobility.

There is bench seating throughout the ground floor of the museum. We also have a wheelchair available if required. There are slopes throughout and a disabled access lift up to the first floor of the Silk Museum.

Paradise Mill:

Paradise Mill is a listed industrial building accessed only via three flights of stairs, totalling 49 steps with no wheelchair access.

FIND US

The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield SK11 6TJ. Tel 01625 612045

TRANSPORT

Coach Parties:

There is a drop-off point directly outside the Silk Museum entrance on Park Lane.

Designated coach parking bays are available nearby at Duke Street Car Park, SK11 6UR.

By Car

Less than 2 minutes walk is council run The Old Library car park, with 28 spaces, with 1 disabled space. Located on the corner of Park Green SK11 7NA.

Around the corner, less than 2 minutes walk, is Duke Street car park with 261 spaces, with 5 disabled spaces and coach bays.

There is free 1 hour on-street parking available directly outside the museum. Also suitable for coach drop off and collection.

By Bus
There is a stop 3 minutes walk away on Lord Street. Macclesfield’s Bus Station on Queen Victoria Street SK11 6LP is a 5 minute walk.

By Train
Macclesfield station, Waters Green SK11 6JP is an 8 minute walk away.