Stepping back in time - My experience of the new self-guided tours at Paradise Mill
By Matthew Hancock-Bruce 7th Mar 2026
I took a trip back in time... and I didn't even have to leave Macclesfield!
This year, the Silk Museum has started offering self-led tickets for its popular Paradise Mill attraction, previously only accessible via guided tours.
With this option now on the cards, I decided it was time I finally paid a visit to the sole survivor of Macclesfield's mighty industrial past, which dates back to 1862.
As soon as you step through the doors you really do feel as if you have been transported back to the Victorian era.
However, that isn't to say you are in somewhere that has been neglected, far from it!
Over the last few years, the mill has been lovingly restored and is very much still in use.
During my visit, I met Ruth Farris, who has actually started her own business thanks to Paradise Mill.
She and Bea Uprichards, both graduates of Manchester Metropolitan University's Manchester School of Art, are the sole designers of heritage jacquard silk in the UK.
Through their brand, Fishbone and Sycamore, they design and produce 100% silk scarves and neckerchiefs using traditional processes.
More than happy to chat with visitors, Ruth demonstrated how the loom worked, further immersing me in the history of the building.
A key element of the self-led tours is the QR codes, which can be found throughout the mill.
By scanning these, you can discover the lives of the people who once worked there.
There is also an interactive activity trail for younger visitors, allowing them to step into the shoes of a Victorian child millworker.
This offers a completely unique experience to the guided tours, which themselves differ based on the guide's own experiences and special interests.
As I left, taking the refurbished 1930s lift down, I couldn't help but feel what a privilege it is that such an important part of Macclesfield's history has been so wonderfully preserved.
There really isn't a more quintessentially Maxonian experience available, so whether you've lived in Treacle Town your whole life or are visiting for the first time, this really is a must-do.
You can also tie it into a visit of the Silk Museum, which is free to explore and includes an exhibition on Macclesfield FC, ancient Egyptian artefacts, a collection of paintings by Charles Tunnicliffe and even a panda!
How you can experience Paradise Mill
Hopefully I've left you inspired to visit Paradise Mill for yourself!
As I mentioned, you can explore the mill at your own pace with a self-led visit.
Mill entry timeslots are available Wednesday to Saturday at 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, and 3.30pm with tickets costing £7.50 for adults, £6.50 for concessions and £4.50 for children.
There are also the guided tours, which set off at 11am and 12.15pm Wednesday through Saturday, priced at £14.50 for adults and £12.50 for concessions.
Click here to book your tickets.
Special tours
As part of its Women's History Month programme, the museum is running a special 'Women of Silk Town' tour of the mill.
This women-centred tour of Paradise Mill tells the story of the skilled and often overlooked women who kept the silk industry running.
Available on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, the tour aims to bring the mill to life through their work, resilience, and everyday experiences.
More information and booking details can be found here.
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