Name: Hat Works Museum
Rating: 5.0

Hat Works Museum

Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK3 0EU, England

1-90 Years

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Description

Hat Works Museum is the UK’s only museum dedicated to the hatting industry, showcasing the history of hats and headwear. Located in Stockport, it offers a unique insight into the town’s industrial heritage and global hat-making connections. The museum is ideal for families, history enthusiasts, and those interested in fashion and design.

Visitors can explore the Gallery of Hats with a wide range of styles, materials, and designs from around the world. The museum also features a recreated factory floor, hat block workshop, and historic displays showing how hats were made and the lives of workers in the industry. Interactive exhibits and detailed reconstructions bring the evolution of hat-making to life.

General admission to the museum is free, making it accessible to all visitors. Guided factory floor tours are available on selected days, costing £8.50 for adults and £7 for concessions, with venue hire options also available for events.

Hat Works Museum offers a fascinating and educational experience. It combines history, craftsmanship, and interactive learning in one place. With its unique theme and engaging exhibits, it provides a memorable visit for all ages.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The hats: In the new Gallery of Hats, you can explore the global connections of Stockport’s hat collection and be inspired by the array of colours, shapes, patterns and textures of the hats on display. The Gallery of Hats will showcase exciting additions to our collection. You can learn how hats can transform, protect and say something about who you are. They can be used to blend in or stand out in a crowd. Designs can be inspired by nature, architecture, social issues and more. Made using a vast array of materials, hats are always a great conversation starter.
The hatting industry: Hat Works’ ground floor provides an introduction to fur felt hat-making, which began to concentrate in the Stockport area from the 17th century. A farmer, making hats to supplement his income, is shown preparing fur to be shaped into hats. Hat Works introduces mechanisation of the hatting industry to its visitors with a hatter’s cottage. Visitors can walk through the back kitchen of a small terraced house to see how a worker in a hat factory might have lived in the late 19th century, when hatting became an urban occupation.
Hat block making: One of the most atmospheric parts of the museum is the recreation of a hat block maker’s workshop and office. Wooden hat blocks to mould hats around were essential to the hat maker. William Plant and Co. of Great Ancoats Street in Manchester were the last hat block makers in the Northern England. When they shut down in 1976, the contents of their workshop and office were painstakingly removed. They are now on display at Hat Works in an accurate recreation. A labyrinth of lathes with a web of leather driving belts still function.
Wellington Mill: Wellington Mill has been a hat factory, bicycle factory, snooker hall and bike shop. It was built to spin cotton in 1828, however, it's better known as the home of W Make Hats, part of the Ward family’s business empire. Sarah Ward was a key figure in building the retail side of the enterprise. She took sole control of their shop in Stockport Market Place at the age of 29 whilst raising 3 small children. She expanded the business to Lower Hillgate and opened a warehouse on High Street.

Facilities

Parking: Parking available nearby.
Food & Drinks: The Hat Works Cafe is a relaxed space to enjoy a brew and a chat, get creative, visit Arc’s exhibitions and shop for unique handmade items made by programme participants and volunteer artists. You can enjoy warming one pot wonders, sandwiches, soups and snacks, all made with care. Hat Works Cafe is supported by wonderful volunteers who learn hospitality, barista and catering skills.
Gift shop: The museum's shop has been recently refurbished. The new look shop carries an exciting new range of hatting paraphernalia, hats, specialist books on millinery and fashion and more.