Filming projects

As a unique heritage venue, the mill, and especially our weaving shed, has featured in many films and productions including North & South, Life on Mars and The King's Speech. The mill was used as a location for the film about how King George VI overcame a debilitating stammer after his surprise ascension to the throne. It starred Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon and Guy Pearce.

More recently scenes for the film Peterloo and the BBC 2019 series of A Christmas Carol were filmed here. As you explore the sights and sounds of the historic mill, what scenes do you remember from these popular film and TV productions?

Here's what some of our visitors had to say:

"A treasure well worth preserving & a fascinating tour."

"Great place, lovely smell and inspired exhibitions."

"One of the best tours I have ever been on! Brilliant place. Loved it. Thank you!"

"I come from an area that never did any of this, absolutely amazing!"

"Walking through glorious history."

"Quite easily one of the best museum visits I've made (and I'm 65)."

Colin Firth wrote in our visitor book that Queen Street Mill was "a thing of beauty" – and we couldn't agree more.

Queen Street Mill is a nostalgic time capsule of the late Victorian age bringing the textile industry vividly to life. Set amongst an iconic, distinctive industrial landscape shaped by chimneys, old mills and terraces it offers a truly unique experience - the world's last 19th century steam-powered weaving mill.

Imagine what life would have been like as a mill worker. You might even hear the sounds of 'Peace' the incredible steam-powered engine that powers over 300 looms in the weaving shed. Feel the power of the looms to understand why the weavers learnt to lip read.

The Mill chimney is 120 feet high, local people look out for this landmark on the skyline to know they're nearly home! It is built of brick as these could be made in the required curved shape which was easier than individually hand shaping stone. When the mill opened in 1895 Edmund Atkinson climbed to the very top of the chimney to play a cornet solo!

Did you know that the Mill pond or lodge is filled with around 500,000 gallons of water and is fed from rain water from 50% of the weaving shed roof via downspouts on the mill lodge side walls.

Don't miss the boiler house, you can only access this from outside by the stables. This is where the two Lancashire boilers, 30 ft long and 8 ft wide, generated the steam to power the mill. The boilers were made in Hyde and transported to the mill on a special trailer designed for carrying Lancashire boilers, the trailer was pulled by a steam traction engine.

Don't miss your chance to see the amazing steam engine Peace in action as it powers the looms in the mill at one our Steam Days.