Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings are pleased to announce a new guided tour – the chance to climb to the viewing gallery at the top of the Jubilee Tower. This opportunity is one of the most exciting developments in the restoration project, offering fantastic views of Shrewsbury and the surrounding countryside beyond from the eighth storey.
The Jubilee Tower was built in 1897 as part of the transformation of the site from a Flaxmill to a Barley Maltings. It served a practical purpose with germinated barley hoisted up so gravity could be used to propel it down a steep chute into the kiln, where it was roasted to make malt barley for brewing beer. The Tower also served a ceremonial function honouring Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of that year. Visitors can examine the fine decoration of the coronet on top of the tower up close as well as getting a great view of the whole of the historic Flaxmill Maltings site and hearing about the site’s development and future.
The tour will be led by two of the team’s expert volunteers, with small tour groups of up to six people at a time. There is no lift leading up from the fourth floor of the Mill to the top of the Jubilee Tower – with the final route travelling up 56 wooden steps so this tour is only suitable for those able to make the climb and with a head for heights.
Tours will run at 2pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 20th September and take about an hour. The Jubilee Tower tour will not run in high winds and a full refund will be given for any cancellations for this reason.
The Jubilee Tower Tour is an addition to the ‘Behind the Scenes’ Tour, which visits some of the places on the historic site that can’t otherwise be seen and The Mill exhibition which tells the story of this special place.
Go to www.shrewsburyflaxmillmaltings.org.uk/visit/ to see Jubilee Tower Tour ticket prices and to book. As tour group sizes are limited booking in advance is recommended.
· Jubilee Tower Guided Tours to start on 20 September 2023
· Views from the platform on top of the Tower
· Learn about the history of the site, and the tower structure
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 maltings, which operated from 1897 to 1987, converting barley 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.
