The Textile Museum

The Textile Museum in Commercial Street Newtown gives visitors a chance to see how the handloom weavers of the mid-19th century lived and worked. The block which houses the Museum was built in the 1830s as a hand-loom weaving

factory, the looms occupied the top two floors above three pairs of small back-to-back houses on the lower floors. It is a fine example of a typical early 19th century weaving shop, and is one of the few remaining examples in the town. Newtown's development into a centre of the weaving industry is described through exhibits in the former houses, while on the top two floors the story of fleece to flannel is illustrated with looms and spinning wheels, alongside displays of related industries and influential local people such as Pryce Jones, an early pioneer of mail-order in the late 1800s, whose customers included Florence Nightingale and Queen Victoria. We have exhibits of modern wool craft, and hold demonstrations and workshops run by experts in spinning, weaving and quilt making at intervals during the summer.

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Entry is free, but donations sought. Disabled access to ground floor only, but a walk-through video tour is available for those unable to visit the upper floors - in both Welsh and English
Video footage of spinning and weaving processes
Car parking available in nearby streets and town car parks
Open May to Sept inclusive. Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12.00 - 4.00. Check out the details on the web page. Special early season opening weekend 24 - 29 April.
Group tours available Web address : www.newtowntextilemuseum.co.uk: Regular posts on Facebook and Instagram- Newtown Textile Museum, and highly recommended on Trip Advisor.