THE STORY
Wellington Mill was built for cotton spinning in 1828 and later became associated with the Ward family's hat business. Following a period of disrepair, a 1990s restoration introduced apartments and the Hat Works museum.
Today the council-run museum explores hatting, hats and headwear, with factory-floor tours on selected dates. General admission is listed as free. The mill is an example of industrial reuse, giving visitors a way to see heritage interiors through an established attraction.
Follow the sources
Read the original history and reports. Source dates are not a guarantee of the place’s condition today.