Sunny Bank Mills Heritage Festival
Explore our atmospheric Mills which produced some of the finest cloth in the world! Drop in to our Museum & Archive for a special Everyday Histories exhibition, discover unseen areas of the Mills on a Heritage Tour, visit The Magic Show exhibition in the Gallery, explore our Artists’ Studios (Sat & Sun only) as part of Leeds Open Studios, including our pop-up studios in the Main Yard and search out more Everyday Histories across the site.
Dating from 1829, Sunny Bank Mills was an important woollen and worsted mill, with a stimulating history. It is still owned by the Gaunt family who helped found the Mills in late Georgian times. Come along and learn more about its past during our weekend celebrating heritage, art & creativity!
Book your spot on a Heritage Tour > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunny-bank-mills-heritage-festival-tours-2026-tickets-1992334578356
Book your spot on an accessible & family-friendly Heritage Tour > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunny-bank-mills-heritage-festival-family-accessible-tours-2026-tickets-1992765962638
All activities listed below are open 10am – 4pm on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September ONLY.
FREE ENTRY and suitable for all ages (no prebooking required).
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Visit our website for more details and access information.
OPEN STUDIOS
Visit our Spinning Mill, Twisting and Red Lane Mill Studios during our Heritage Festival weekend to see what artists do all day! Meet almost 50 talented makers and artists, discover their processes and buy new work direct from independent artists and craftspeople.
This year, we are welcoming even more local artists to exhibit their work at the Mills in our first Pop-Up Studios in the Main Yard. Come along to see the work of artists and makers usually working from home studios.
POP-UP EXHIBITION
Visit a brand new collaborative exhibition by Kim Coley & Mel Davies in our atmospheric Spinning Mill Loft above the Spinning Mill Studios.
CLOCKING IN TRAIL
Follow the family friendly ‘Clocking In Trail’. Look for Everyday History spots around the site signposted by colourful bunting and archival photos, stamp your card at each of the 6 spots, and win a prize!
Visit the Main Yard, Bobbin Room or any set of Studios to get started.
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