Celebrate 150th birthday of Coldharbour Mills Unique Beam Engine

We will be firing the boilers for a Bank Holiday Monday treat when we celebrate one of our oldest steam engines and the only one preserved in the world.

Starting at 10.30 a wide number of engines will be in steam – including the only preserved Kittoe and Brotherhood beam engine in existence – and 150 years old this year. Built in 1867 the four column engine was originally used by the Albion Brewery in Whitechapel Road, Bethnal Green before falling into disrepair.  Rescued by the Science Museum it has now been lovingly restored by our steam team and is now a fully working exhibit – housed in the original beam engine house on site.

You can also enjoy a fully hands-on opportunity to see how wool is made into the our own yarn and textiles. You will also get the unique opportunity to see and experience first-hand how the Victorians revolutionised textile manufacturing by harnessing steam to turn this once cottage industry into a thriving textile mill supplying yarn and cloth throughout the world.

Light refreshments will be available throughout the day at the café and the shop will also be open selling a wide range of the our cloth and knitting yarns – including the new Wild Devon Collection launched earlier this year. For younger visitors there is a children’s trail throughout the mill.

Set just 5 minutes from the M5 on the banks of the River Culm at Uffculme Coldharbour Mill is one of the oldest working woollen mills having been in continuous production since 1787 – and a must for both steam and heritage enthusiasts. Today, the Mill continues to manufacture high quality yarn and cloth using traditional methods and power sources – including steam.