Textile Mills of South West England

Joint winner of the Association for Industrial Archaeology’s Peter Neaverson Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Industrial Archaeology (2014)

Textiles were the most widespread traditional industry in the South West, but the region's textile industries differed considerably from those in other parts of England. The wool, flax and hemp industries, for example, had exceptionally early origins, and influenced the development of towns and countryside for centuries before the factory building of the Industrial Revolution. Many of the surviving mills represent the last stage of building at sites that have remained in use for an exceptionally long period, with successive generations of building reflecting the ongoing development of techniques and machines. The textile industries were often combined with other types of business, such as farming or fishing, so the language of textiles has long been a part of the region's working communities.

In comparison with other regions, the diverse economy of the South West ensured less demolition of the textile heritage. The conversion of mills for new uses has itself become a traditional feature of the region's industries, ensuring the survival of rare and distinctive building types. Based on extensive investigation and research, this book concentrates on historical context to shed new light on the early origins of these industries. It celebrates the historical significance of the buildings, landscapes and townscapes by highlighting good examples of their preservation and re-use, along with many others that are still facing the challenge of conservation.