Mill at Quarry Bank re-opens to the public

The Grade II* listed historic mill at National Trust site, Quarry Bank, has reopened to the public marking a major milestone in a four-year transformation project.

The £9.4 million project has been supported by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund and thousands of generous donors. It is one of the biggest projects in the National Trust’s history, as the conservation charity continues its commitment to bring the stories of its places to life.

Over the last three years, Buttress has been involved in a series of restoration projects at the site including the mill owners' home, Quarry Bank House, the restoration of the workers' cottage - which had been closed to the public since the 1970s - and the complete restoration of a rare example of a 19th century curvilinear glasshouse in the site's upper kitchen garden.

Buttress's involvement in the restoration of the mill has included a review of the mill to better understand the visitor routes into and through the building and the site, and the impact on the visitor experience. The mill was also refurbished internally to allow for improved interpretation as well as better visitor access across floor levels with internal ramps and a new passenger lift.

Now, with new facilities, galleries and interpretation in the mill itself, visitors will be able to experience the entire site for the first time.

Joanne Hudson, general manager at Quarry Bank, said: “This is an exciting moment for us as we invite our visitors to experience the complete story of Quarry Bank. It tells a story of social change and industrial revolution, rich and poor, mill owner and mill worker, the power of nature and the ingenuity of man; of benevolence and exploitation.”