To celebrate Fathers’ Day on Sunday 18 June, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings are offering all Dads free entry into The Mill exhibition. The Mill tells the story of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and its crucial role in the industrial revolution. With digital and hands-on activities for all ages, it features the stories of the lives of the workers, engineers, soldiers and entrepreneurs who played their part in one of the greatest heritage transformations and regenerations of all time.
Simon Cranmer, Head of Visitor Experience, said: “Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings offers something for everyone, most importantly an opportunity for quality time together and making memories.”
Turned Wood Café, from the acclaimed team behind Greenwood Café will also be open, providing a Sunday Brunch service with live music from duo ‘Two Hats’. Visit https://www.shrewsburyflaxmillmaltings.org.uk/whats-on/dads-go-free-to-the-mill-exhibition-this-fathers-day/ for more information
The History of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
Known as the ‘grandparent of skyscrapers’, the Main Mill structure paved the way for modern-day buildings such as London’s Shard, New York’s Empire State Building and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa
Following the site’s beginnings as a flax mill and major local employer for the area from 1797-1886, it was repurposed into a modern maltings, which operated from 1897 to 1987, converting grain into malt for brewing, whisky making and vinegar production. The site was also used as a temporary army barracks during the Second World War.
The site has been sustainably restored by Historic England in partnership with Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership via its Growth Deal with Government and Shropshire Council.
Four of the eight listed buildings that make up the site – the Smithy, Stables, Main Mill and Kiln – are now fully restored, following redevelopment under Historic England’s ownership with the help of architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios,
The four remaining listed buildings – the Cross Mill, the Dye House, Apprentice House and the Warehouse – still need funding to bring them back to life. It is hoped that they will be restored in the coming years, once plans for how they will be used and funding to carry out the restoration works are in place.
