Your Visit
Farfield Mill caters for many interests and ages, offering a vareity of experiences and facilities, including:
- Heritage displays, telling the fascinating story of the Mill
- Working looms (weekends only at the moment)
- Exhibitions by local, national and international artists
- Open artists studios - to observe or rent
- Resident artists working in a variety of mediums
- Shopping
- Refreshments
- Demonstrations (at specific times)
- Access for disabled visitors throughout the Mill
- Education visits for schools by appointment (see below)
- Group visits (see below)
- Lift to all levels
- Toilet on all levels
- Free car park
- Coaches by appointment
Schools visits
To book a visit for your school, please email Elizabeth here.
Group visits
We cater for large groups - up to 45 people can be accommodated with prior booking - and can arrange a guided tour, demonstrations and lunch in our fabulous Café.
“Thank you to everyone involved in being so flexible and making it so easy to hold an event – especially given we’d had to rearrange because of the Cumbrian floods in November. Everyone enjoyed the meal in the Café and I was terribly tempted to stay to tea but couldn't. I am sure that we shall all be revisiting the Mill.” Elizabeth Haworth, The Arthur Ransome Society (www.arthur-ransome.org)
"On behalf of the society, I should like to thank you and those involved for making our visit to Farfield Mill so interesting. Everything ran like clockwork and your introduction talk was most inspirational. Please thank David McDowell for introducing us to the workings of the loom - so good to get a real close up viewing of work in action." Jen Callis, Upper Eden History Society
For more details or to book a group visit, please call Sandra on 015396 21505. Or email her here.
Special requirements
If you have special requirements, please call 015396 21958 or just ask our staff at Reception on arrival.
Getting Around
Farfield Mill is built into a hillside rising steeply from the River Clough and is therefore accessible from the ground on three levels. In the Mill's past, this helped efficient delivery of yarn and collection of made-up cloth and is still useful today for access to the main entrance on Level 3, access to the galleries on Level 2 for artists delivering and collecting artwork, and to Weavers Café on Level 1 (alongside the river).
So Much on Every Level...
A display on Level 2, including a short film about 'The Terrible Knitters of Dent', tells the fascinating story of the Mill and the woollen industry.
Farfield Mill's Resident Artists on Levels 2, 3 and 4 can often be seen working in their studios creating exceptional work. This work is available for sale in our retail galleries on Levels 3 and 4, alongside an unrivalled selection of high-quality art and craft by other artists, many from the region.
Three formal exhibition spaces on Level 2, the Howgill Gallery, the Dover Gallery and 2K show a changing programme of high-quality exhibitions, both touring and curated by the Mill's exhibition staff or invited artists. Additionally, selected artwork is displayed in a number of informal exhibition spaces across the Centre, including The Stairwell at the heart of the Mill and the Loft Gallery.
Level 4 is home to the Mill's collection of floor and hand looms - and on most weekdays, you can see weavers busy at the looms, working on their own projects; they are usually happy to talk about their work and what they are creating. Local lace-makers and rag-rug makers also demonstrate in this area on certain days each month.
Our working Dobcross looms on Level 1 (weekends only at the moment) illustrate how we're continuing the Mill's weaving heritage by producing our own cloth. This level also offers you one of the best cafés in Sedbergh, Weavers Café (with free entry for all visitors) and from here, you can observe the weaving operation through an internal window.
"I love it here: a delicious pleasure - every sense appealed to." Rachel Raven, West Drayton, Middlesex
DISCOVERY & INSPIRATION
Weaving Production
Our two Dobcross looms are worked on by Weaving Technician David McDowell each weekend (Saturday, 11.30-4.30; Sunday, 10.30-4.30). These machines produce the cloth used to create Farfield Mill's exclusive in-house designs. You can purchase travel rugs and throws made from this cloth, in the Souvenir Shop. Or call Reception on 015396 21958 to place an order over the phone. (We're sorry, but our online facility is currently out of action.)
"Enjoyed looking at how you [sow] blankets." Alexandra, aged 8, Garsdale Head
We also offer short-run contract weaving using your designs and yarn, woven by our expert weaving technician on the Dobcross loom. For more information or to discuss your weaving needs, please contact Sandra on 015396 21505.
The Mill uses wool from local Rough Fell Sheep on its looms and a Rough Fell Sheep display with short video is situated near to the weaving area and Weavers Café.
Exhibitions
Our two formal galleries, the Howgill Gallery and the Dover Gallery, show regular changing exhibitions of art and applied arts throughout the year. Here, you will find wonderful and inspiring work by established local, regional and national artists, as well work by emerging new talents – sometimes still in formal education.
Jubilee Blankets
Lancs and Lakes Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers
Also on Level 2, alongside our heritage display, are two stunning blankets, one knitted and one woven, produced by the local Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.
The 2009 challenge for the local WSD Guild was to work in collaboration, sharing knowledge and skills to produce two blankets from carded fleece for display throughout 2010.
The knitted, ‘square’ blanket is made of 49 knitted squares (the 50th lot being used to join them). The woven blanket is made of three strips using a handloom shared between members, plus a second handloom and floor-loom based a Farfield Mill. All the loom work was supported by experienced weavers; the Farfield Mill looms especially enabled weavers to learn, demonstrate and share skills both between themselves and with the visiting public.
Eventually, the pieces will be auctioned to raise funds for St John’s Hospice.
Demonstrations
You can watch weavers working on their own projects on the Mill's floor and table looms on Level 4, alongside other craft workers, including lace-makers and rag-rug makers. All demonstrators are usually very happy to talk to you about their work and answer your questions.
- Weaving Friends - most weekdays (you can also buy work made on the looms by Weaving Friends in the Retail Gallery on Level 4)
- South Lakeland Lacemakers - every other Tuesday
- Lunesdale Rug Makers - second Monday in the month
If you specifically wish to come and see any of these demonstrators, please call 015396 21958 to check when the group is next in the Centre.
"Very nice - I enjoyed watching and doing the lacemaking." Lizzie, Clitheroe
Collections
Looms
Since it opened to the public in 2001, Farfield Mill has been loaned, donated or has acquired a number of looms, which now form part of the Mill’s Collection of Floor and Table Looms on Level 4. You can watch our volunteer weaving demonstrators working on their own projects on these looms during the week (not weekends), when they are happy to talk about their work and answer questions. If you specifically wish to come and see particular demonstrators, it's best to call 015396 21958 to check when they are next in the Centre.
"The lady weaving on the top floor was so interesting and generous with her time." Gill Priestley, Glasgow
REFRESHMENTS
A trip to Farfield Mill has to include a visit to Weavers Café, where our catering team will tempt you with a selection of mouth-watering dishes ranging from Farfield-made cakes, scones and tray-bakes, with tea or coffee, to delicious light lunches.
"The coffee shop is simply gorgeous!" A & J Burden, Wiltshire
"Enjoyed the lovely food!" Robert Dixon, Ingleton
Sample our daily lunch specials with a distinctly Cumbrian flavour, using locally-sourced produce - and all prepared on the premises by our own chef. Or call in on Sunday (12-3) for a traditional Sunday lunch.
We also cater for large groups. Up to 45 people can be accomodated with prior booking. We can arrange a guided tour of the Mill and lunch in our fabulous cafe. Please call Sandra on 015396 21505 for more details or to book a group visit. Alternatively to email her here.
SHOPPING
Made @ Farfield
Our Farfield Resident Artists produce items for sale in their studios. You can talk to them about the work before purchasing it and even commission work from them if you don't see exactly what you want.
Farfield Mill Rugs and Throws
At Farfield Mill, we naturally sell the rugs and throws woven on our Dobcross looms - and you can pick one up at various points throughout the Centre. These come with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the weaver. They make beautiful and unique gifts as well as lasting souvenirs of a visit to the Lakes and Dales. If you live further afield, we would be happy to post these out to you; please call us on 015396 21958 and we can talk you through the available designs and colours.
The Retail Galleries
Looking for that one-off gift for a special person or a special occasion? Our Retail Gallery across two floors displays high-quality art and crafts, much of which is produced in the North West. From fine art, sculpture and ceramics, to jewellery and textiles, there's sure to be something to delight the recipient - as much as the giver!
"One of the best craft places we have been to." K Griffiths, Levens
The Souvenir Shop
If you're looking for a place to buy a souvenir of your visit to Farfield Mill, then drop into the Shop on Level 3. Along with calendars, postcards and hand-made cards, you'll find a selection of children's toys, plus smaller gifts, including jewellery and locally-produced soaps, jams and sweets.
In addition to our characteristic Farfield Mill throws and blankets in the Retail Galleries, and our range of lovely souvenirs, you can also purchase textile kits, yarns and specialist books.
We're currently developing a range of Farfield Mill merchandise, to include a Farfield Mill mug, T-shirt and tea towel.
Avril's Books
Avril's Books at Farfield Mill is a specialist textile bookshop on Level 4. You'll find a broad selection of second-hand textile books in a cosy, relaxed setting - and if you can't find what you need, Avril can usually source it! Why not buy your book, then retire to one of our sofas - either on Level 4 or in the Café...?
