A historic Leeds mill is set to open its doors and give visitors a blast from the past.
History lovers can take a trip back in time and trawl through the archives at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, which dates back more than 150 years.
Visitors will learn how cloth was designed and made and also get a special glimpse at 170-year-old designs during a heritage weekend to uncover the mill’s rich history.
Artists from the local area will also host a special showcase of work in conjunction with next month’s event.
Among them will be Farsley artist Mel Davies, who helped to organise the art exhibition.
He said: “I had seen the restoration work and redevelopments that had been carried out at Sunny Bank Mills and called in, on the off chance that they might have somewhere that we could hold a show.
“I had never been into the mill before and it was like stepping back in time.
“I was taken on a guided tour of the site and was gobsmacked.
“Much of the mill has been redeveloped and beautifully restored – however, a large percentage remains virtually unaltered.
“It was absolutely perfect.”
The mill, which dates back to 1829, has had a starring role in Leeds-based soap opera Emmerdale and former Yorkshire police drama Heartbeat.
It was originally opened in 1829, by the ancestors of the site’s current directors William and John Gaunt, and boasts a rich textile history.
In 1850, 21 years after the site became active, its owners bought land at nearby Sunny Bank, which is where the mill’s current name comes from.
Shortly afterwards, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Edwin Woodhouse, bought the mills and named them after himself.
The site developed and was later bought by the colourful entrepreneur William C Gaunt, the great grandfather of its present directors.
The mill was given a £2m revamp last year to attract small and medium sized businesses.
Members of Pudsey Civic Society officially unveiled a heritage plaque last month to celebrate the site’s place in the history books.
The heritage weekend and art exhibition will be held on Friday, September 7, until Sunday, September 9.
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