The Newtown Textile Museum is open each year between the beginning of May and the end of September. Check out the days and times on the website which also lists craft events and details of some items in the Collection.

Entrance is free but as we rely entirely on volunteers, we do ask for a donation. Small group tours can be arranged during the summer season when the museum is otherwise closed to visitors, giving exclusive access, and may be possible at other times by contacting us. Temporary exhibitions are arranged each year on different topics. Newtown Textile Museum is housed in an 1830's hand-loom weaving factory which consisted of six back-to-back cottages which had one room downstairs and one room upstairs. Above these were two floors which housed up to 22 hand-looms.

The building gives visitors a real sense of the life at the time. Newtown was known as the 'Leeds of Wales' in the early 1800's as the town became the centre of a thriving woollen weaving industry and there were as many as 80 similar buildings in the town. The stories told in the Museum relate to the working and living conditions of the weavers and others who occupied the cottages; the journey of wool from 'fleece to flannel', together with the industrial history of the town in the 19th century; and associated trades in the town such as drapers, clog makers and the leather tannery.

Also covered are some of the significant people in the town including Pryce Jones. Credited with establishing the first Mail Order business in Britain he played a major role in the town's prosperity in the second half of the 1800's. Family historians can use our census information to see if they have weavers and spinners as ancestors, and will enjoy seeing how they lived and worked. Regular spinning and weaving demonstrations are held where visitors can try their hand at these ancient crafts, and other crafts days are also held, check out the events page on the website or social media for details.

Newtown Textile Museum has 5 star ratings on Trip Advisor and Google. The Textile Museum is just north of the River Severn in Newtown, in the heart of a conservation zone. Limited on-street free parking just outside, but town car parks within 5 minutes walk.