Hat Works is the UK’s only museum dedicated to the hatting industry, hats and headwear!

We are an award winning interactive Visitor Attraction housed in a restored Grade ll listed Victorian Mill.  Wellington Mill was appropriately once a thriving hat factory.

Hat Works focuses on the development of the hatting industry from its humble beginnings in the cottage industry to the mass production of the early 19th century.

Step back in time with one of our expert demonstrators, and experience the world of hatting, when hat manufacturing was a thriving industry with over 100 hat factories and businesses in the Stockport area.

Live demonstrations of working machinery combined with an extensive collection of hats and stimulating audio-visual shows create an experience, which is thought provoking, educational and fun.

Museums Floors

Gallery Floor

On our gallery floor you can see our extensive collection of hats from around the world as well as visiting our temporary exhibition space - where there is always an interesting interactive exhibition on offer.

On this floor you will also find our Family Fun area where the young visitors will be entertained by the range of activities on offer.

Factory Floor

On our recreated factory floor you can see our extensive collection of working Victorian style hatting machinery, along with a reconstructed hatter’s cottage, hat block workshop, working office and haberdashery shop front.

Our guided tour really brings the hatting industry to life and they really enhance any visit to the museum. Our expert guides all have links to the industry and often share personal anecdotes. This makes each tour unique, personal and particularly interesting.