Laxey Woollen Mills

About

Founded in 1881 by Egbert Rydings and John Ruskin's Guild of St.George, to promote and preserve the art of weaving traditional Manx tweed and worsted.

Still a working mill, quality woollen cloth continues to be woven, five days a week, on two pedal looms, using either the 1926 Hattersley pedal loom or the 1998 Griffin pedal loom (the same a 'Harris' loom)  The master weaver produces cloth for all the travel rugs, scarves, Manx tartans and tweeds, both traditional and contemporary. Some of the cloth is used in the production of our beautifully tailored tweed coats, jackets, hats, caps, wraps, handbags and slippers; and is also available to buy by the metre, for clothing, upholstery & interior design and craft projects.

We are unique - the only mill in the world weaving genuine Manx Loaghtan cloth and tweed in a palette of pure undyed Manx wool. We still weave Laxey Manx Tartan and Manx Hunting Tartan travel rugs, available from The Manx Tartan Shop and Mostly Manx. We ship all over the world, so if you can't fit in your suitcase, we can post it.

You will probably be met by the 'meet-& greet' committee, i.e. Rick the Mill Dog, our elderly Irish Wheaten Terrier, whose tasks are many and varied; Chief quality tester of of all newly woven tweed; sculptor of yarn cones; biscuit wrangler (don't let those eyes fool you); softness expert, in charge of sheepskin rugs; and a general obstacle, lying in everyone's way. 

We use wool from the famous four-horned Manx Loaghtan sheep, born and bred in the Manx sunshine, to weave fantastically warm rugs, a range of stunning un-dyed natural toned tweeds, plus bespoke tailored jackets, coats, slippers, handbags, woollen garments, locally knitted mitts, knitting wools and other accessories. We also blend the Loaghtan with coloured Irish and Scottish yarns to create a Celtic collaboration of beautiful muted hues found amidst the stunning land and seascapes of our island.

All our cloth, rugs, scarves and garments are pure wool - plastic and microfibre free

We are weavers not knitters! Our fine quality knitwear is made in either Ireland or Scotland, keeping it Celtic. We also have sheepskin slippers, leather & tweed brogues and boots, a range of Celtic inspired jewellery in silver and bronze. 

Upstairs, within in the Hodgson Loom Art Gallery, there exists the extremely rare 1918 Hodgson Loom, one of only two known examples of its kind still complete. The gallery, which was the old Loomery, now hosts art exhibitions by the vast array of artists living and working on the Isle of Man. Check out the Hodgson Loom Gallery Facebook page to see what is currently on show.

Access Statement

If you are arriving by public transport, we are located 10 minutes/quarter of a mile walk downhill from the Manx Electric Railway Station and the Main bus stop. The road is quite steep. Our on-site car park is free to customers and is easily accessible. There is a short slope from the car park to the main entrance and top part of the shop, which is wheelchair-friendly. The lower part of the shop is reached by a small six step staircase which has handrails. The lower part of the shop may also be accessed by wheelchair via the fire exit at the opposite end of the building. There is space to bring a vehicle to this entrance. Please ask for assistance. There a seats available inside the shop should you wish to rest for a while. 

When weaving is in progress the loom is loud. 

The art gallery is situated on the first floor, reached via a steep staircase with handrails on both sides. There is a shorter, less steep, external metal staircase to the upper fire exit which can be used upon request. Regrettably there is no wheelchair access to the gallery at the moment. There are seats in the gallery, and space to use a collapsible wheelchair to view exhibitions.

Dogs are welcome. We have Rick the Mill dog on duty here in the shop, and may be doing his impression of a rug in the middle of the floor. If you are wary of dogs, please let us know, as he has his own bed to retire to and will be out of the way.

There are no public toilet facilities

If you have any queries or special requirements, please phone ahead on 01624 861395 and we will do our best to assist you.