Multi award-winning Cheshire museums, the Silk Mill and Lion Salt Works Museum, have teamed up to offer a brand new ‘Silk and Salt’ day out for groups.

The Silk Mill and Paradise Mill tells the 300-year story of Macclesfield as a global centre for silk manufacturing, textiles and design, featuring a unique collection of machines as well as the largest collection of silk Jacquard handlooms in Europe in their original setting. Visitors can also find out the intriguing connection with Egypt and the crucial role played by the industry in the Second World War.

Close by, Northwich’s Lion Salt Works Museum (pictured here) is one of the country’s foremost industrial heritage museums. Restored in 2015 after a £10 million restoration, it tells the story of open-pan salt making and the huge deposits of salt that lie beneath the Cheshire Plain. It reveals how its global trade played an intriguing role in shaping the people, landscape and industry of the county. One of the last open-pan, salt-making sites in the world, the Lion Salt Works Museum – which has the same protection status as Stonehenge – explores salt through interactive displays.

Greeted from the bus, your visit will start with tea and coffee, followed by an expert guided tour around the Silk Museum and Paradise Mill. There is the option of viewing the rare patterns book at an additional cost of £3 per person, and all visitors can enjoy the museum’s shop. Set down is next to the entrance and there is free parking for coaches nearby.

Next it’s on to the Lion Salt Works Museum in Northwich, where you’ll have a ‘meet and greet’ welcome, followed by lunch. You’ll then enjoy a self-guided tour of the museum. Tours with an experienced guide are available at an additional cost of £3.20 per person. Parking is free, there is wheelchair access and a shop selling ‘not on the high street’ books and gifts.

Don’t miss… Between 19 March and 10 July 2023, the Lion Salt Works Museum will be holding an exhibition of the Treadmill group – 15 artists from different creative textile disciples who live, work and exhibit throughout the North West of England.

Going as a group?

• The day includes lunch, refreshments and tours, and is priced at £22.30 per person.
• The full day tour is made up of a half-day tour at the Silk Museum in Macclesfield with lunch, and a half-day tour at the Lion Salt Works in Northwich.
• For the travel between sites, operators should allow 50 minutes to assemble visitors and travel to the Lion Salt Works Museum. The site is approximately 30 minutes away, near Junction 10 of the M56.
• For further information or to book contact Silk Mill and Paradise Mill on 01625 612045 or email bookings@silkmacclesfield.org.uk
• Bookings can also be made by calling the Lion Salt Works on 01606 275040 or by emailing lionsaltworks@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk