Colne Valley Museum

Colne Valley Museum opened over fifty years ago with the aim of recreating the way of life of a Victorian handloom weaver, in its original setting.

Step through the door of our traditional weavers’ cottages and you’ll be transported back to the early 1850s.
Wander through period living room and wash kitchen to admire the Yorkshire range, flagstone floor and rag rugs.
Explore the bedroom upstairs, complete with truckle bed, wash stand and ‘guzzunder’.
Visit the Loom Chamber and Spinning Room to delve into textile history, and venture into the Edwardian clog-maker’s workshop with its gas lights and full range of period tools.
There’s always something new to see in our Exhibition Room and volunteers demonstrate weaving on the handlooms, spinning yarn on the Spinning Jenny and clog-making.

We have an exciting programme of events planned.  Please see our website and social media posts (FaceBook and Instagram:  @colnevalleymuseum and Twitter:  @MuseumGolcar)

We’re really looking forward to welcoming you to our Museum.  Don’t miss out on delicious homemade cakes in our tea room.

Working life

The museum shows the domestic textile history in an original setting. Most of our exhibits are in full working order and are often demonstrated by the museum’s volunteers, who preserve the traditional skills of the time.

Family life
The hub of family life was the Yorkshire range, which provided the main source of heat for the cottage and was used for baking, cooking and heating water for washing and cleaning.

In the living room you can see the flagstone floor, rag rugs, and numerous items of 19th century life. Built into the hillside there is a wash kitchen complete with mangles, washboards and dolly tubs.
Explore the newly created period bedroom complete with truckle bed and chamber pots!

Clog-maker’s workshop
An Edwardian clog-maker’s workshop that had remained virtually untouched, rescued from nearby Slaithwaite, complete with benches, tools and gas lights.

Exhibitions and events
We have a programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year – see website.

Tea Room and Shop

A selection of teas and coffees, home-made cakes and preserves, vintage toys, books, guides and souvenirs are available.

School and group visits arranged by appointment.

Opening times

• Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays
• 12 noon to 4pm unless specified on an event post
• Admission charge
• Children (accompanied) FREE

Access
The new main entrance to the museum is from the top of a steep setted lane – it is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There is an alternative level access to both the top and ground floor – please contact us in advance. There are stairs to all floors.
Toilets, including baby change facilities and accessible toilets, are on the middle floor and on the top floor. A full access statement is available from the museum.

 2026 / 2027 Events include :