Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum

Built by Thomas Fox between 1797 and 1799 Coldharbour Mill was at the forefront of Georgian entrepeneurial development and was in continuous woollen and worsted yarn production until 1981. It is the only surviving woollen mill in Devon and one of the few mills in the country that has both original sources of power still in operation: the 1821 water wheel and the 1910 Pollit & Wigzell steam engine.

Reopened in 1982 as a Working Museum, Coldharbour Mill is a rare example of Victorian technology which tells the fascinating story of the Industrial Revolution as related to the Wool Industry in the Southwest.

See wool being spun into yarn and then woven into fabric as you tour the mill, learn about the social and industrial history and experience the conditions of the time; interpretation panels provide a full explanation suitable for all ages.

If you can, come to one of the Mill's regular 'Steam Up' events and see the two steam engines in action too! There is an Exhibition Gallery with a WWII 'Home Front' display and a variety of temporary exhibitions through the year.

The Museum Shop sells Mill produced knitting wool and rugs as well as the unique Devon and Somerset Tartan cloth, exclusive to the Mill. Also a range of woolly products and souvenirs.

The Gill Box Restaurant on site offers a scrumptious range of drinks and locally sourced snacks and meals.

The Mill and toilets are fully accessible and we will be happy to make special arrangements for disabled use of the restaurant.

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