Things to See and Do
Discover this world important heritage site through an interactive exhibition, guided tours and family trail. Experience the amazing stories of this place and its people, relax in the café and visit our shop.
You can book tickets for a visit to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings (including specific tours) using the button below.
The Mill exhibition
The Mill exhibition on the ground floor of the Main Mill is self-guided and brings to life the story of this iconic landmark of the industrial revolution.
With digital and hands-on activities for all ages, walk one of the floors where spinning machines whirred, flax flew, and barley was processed for beer. Discover the lives and stories of workers, engineers, soldiers and entrepreneurs who played their part in one of the greatest heritage transformations and regenerations of all time.
Behind-the-scenes Guided Tour
Go on a Behind-the-Scenes guided tour at this iconic landmark of the Industrial Revolution and dig deeper into the past, present and future of the building that changed skylines across the world forever.
You can enjoy a guided tour of the recently restored Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings. Led by one of our expert volunteers, small tour groups of up to 12 people will be taken around the grounds and hear all about the buildings; from their beginnings, to their adaptation over time, and recent restoration.
After that the tour takes you inside to experience parts of the site that the public don’t usually get to see, including beautiful historic features and industrial artefacts.
Tours take place Wednesday to Sunday at 11am, and last approximately 1.5 hours
Book tickets for the Behind the Scenes TourJubilee Tower Guided Tour
This tour gives visitors a chance to climb to the viewing gallery at the top of the Jubilee Tower to experience fantastic views of Shrewsbury and the surrounding countryside.
The Jubilee Tower was constructed in 1897 as part of the transformation of the site from a flax mill to a barley maltings. It housed the machinery that powered the grain elevators that moved the barley around the buildings, and also honoured Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
Tours are led by our expert volunteers in small groups of 6 people. Tours will run on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm and take about 30 minutes.
The Jubilee Tower tour will not run in extreme weather. Access to the upper floors is done by foot only with the final route extending up 56 steps, therefore this tour is only suitable for those able to make the climb and with a head for heights.
A video of the journey up to the top of the tower, and the views from the top, is available on the tour for anyone who is not able to ascend the tower steps. This will be shown from the lift accessible upper floors of the Main Mill.
Book your tickets for the Jubilee Tower TourFamily Trail: Flax and Barley’s Mill Mission
Families can take part in our fun trail during their visit. Flax and Barley, the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings cats, are on a mission to learn about the amazing building they live in. Can you work with a grown up to help Flax and Barley find answers to their questions? There’s a trail sheet for children aged 4-7 and one for ages 8-12. Ask for the trail when you arrive.
Flaxmill Café
The Flaxmill Café is open from 9am to 4pm, seven days a week, all year round with free parking. Please note that the café is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Enjoy everything from breakfasts and homemade cakes baked fresh each day to handcrafted sandwiches, generously filled jacket potatoes and seasonal specials inspired by the very best local produce.
You can also join us for our weekly Chatty Tuesday, a relaxed social afternoon designed to encourage conversation and community over coffee, and our signature pre-bookable Afternoon Tea Tower, a celebration of the 'grandparent of the modern day skyscraper', to private events and pop-up restaurant evenings. Traditional Sunday lunches will also be arriving soon.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Flaxmill Café.
Shopping
Browse our shop at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and pick up the perfect reminder of a great day out, or a distinctive gift. From mugs and stationery, to tote bags and tea towels, there are many memorable items to catch your eye.
No ticket is required to visit the Shop.
Build your own … legend
English legends, fairy tales and myths have been told and retold across the centuries. Robin Hood’s forest, King Arthur’s round table and Beowulf’s hall make up just some of these incredible stories.
Now it’s your chance to create your own legend. Will you tell the tale of heroic adventurers on a quest? Or maybe you’ll be inspired to write an epic poem about a potato? Follow our legendary trail (one of four World Builder Challenge trails at our sites) to help you build your own legends.
Find out more about the World Builder Challenge trails and where you can find them.