Queen Street Mill is the last surviving functioning 19th-century steam-powered weaving mill in the world and is designated as a Grade I listed building. At its peak, the mill employed around 400 workers, including both adults and children, who faced challenging working conditions with long hours and low wages.
Water for Queen Street Mill is ingeniously collected from the roof through a system of gutters and downpipes, channeling rainwater into a nearby lake. This water powers the remarkable ‘Peace’ engine (a testament to the engineering craftsmanship of the era), which originally drove over 1,000 weaving looms. Today, 300 of these looms still exist in the big shed, with 20 currently operational for demonstrations.
In the 1990s ownership passed to Lancashire Museums and now operates as a museum and cafe with guided tours and demonstrations and also hosts educational programmes, workshops, and events that engage the community and highlight the importance of its industrial heritage.
Queen Street Mill received an Engineering Heritage Award in November 2010.
Photo – Lancashire County Council
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
Opening Days & Times
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 12-4pm |
| Thursday | 12-4pm |
| Friday | 12-4pm |
| Saturday | 12-4pm |
| Sunday | 12-4pm |
Accessibility
- Accessible toilet
- Wheelchair accessible
- Free parking
- Disabled parking
- Café
Directions & Contact
Telephone 01282459996
Email Venue
Queen Street Mill, Harle Syke, Briercliffe, Burnley BB10 2HX