Welcome to Walford Mill Crafts

Walford Mill Crafts in Wimborne has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for contemporary craft and, from 2018, is shifting its focus to encompass the environment and community, building on the 'sense of place' which is so important to all who live and work in the South West.

The historic mill building on the banks of the River Allen houses a gallery with a varied programme of exhibitions, and a number of on-site makers including a silk weaver and printmaker, with more joining soon.

With the river on one side and the millstream on the other, the mill grounds provide opportunities for activities for visitors of all ages, or for simply relaxing and watching the wildlife. The popular Millstream Bistro offers delicious refreshments throughout the day.

Walford Mill Education Trust is a registered charity which aims to promote crafts and making through events, classes, and exhibitions and by providing working space for established and emerging makers.

Registered charity no. 1049540.

Opening Times:

Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sundays: 11am - 4pm

Please note that we are closed on Mondays.

From 20 March 2019 to 13 April 2019 Walford Mill Crafts will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays as we make important changes to this lovely venue. The Millstream Bistro wll be open as usual. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The Shop at Walford Mill Crafts is now closed

As many of you know we have had a difficult 12 months since losing our Arts Council funding last year. Despite the support of our loyal customers and suppliers, difficult retail trading conditions have unfortunately compounded the situation.

As a result, the Trustees of Walford Mill Education Trust have taken the difficult decision to close the Gallery Shop with immediate effect, however Walford Mill Craft Centre is not closing. All our on-site makers are still open for business and workshops and classes will run as normal. The 'Colour Notes' exhibition featuring work by members of textile group Studio 21 also continues in the Gallery space until April 7th. Our next exhibition, Robin Mackenzie ‘Impressions’, starts on 13th April as planned.

We regret that we will however be completely closed at the weekends for the next couple of weeks, until stock has been sorted out and the shop emptied.

Arrangements are currently in place to carry out a complete stock take and return work to our suppliers. Please bear with us while we do this, as there is a lot to sort out. We will be contacting all our makers just as soon as we can with more information. It is expected at this stage, that all outstanding financial obligations will be met and that the Trust will continue.

We will post further updates as the position becomes clearer.

Anne Hitchcock CEO

What's on at The Mill...

New Exhibition : COLOUR NOTES - Studio 21

2 March - 7 April 2019

Private View 1 March 2019

Staff and Makers would like to invite you to join us on Friday 1st March at 6pm to celebrate the opening of the new exhibition at Walford Mill Crafts.

Colour Notes by Studio 21 is a textile group with a high national profile. This exhibition has already been seen as part of major events in London, Harrogate and Dublin. Several members make extensive use of print in their work. Again, there are opportunities for associated workshops later in the year.

Studio 21 is a group of textile artists who bring together a creative and innovative mix of media and stitched textiles. The aim of the group is to develop and extend innovative techniques and to push the boundaries of traditional expectations in textiles.

Recently Studio 21 was identified as one of the Top 5 UK textile art groups by TextileArtist.com.

The group was formed in 1997 to develop and extend innovative techniques and to challenge and expand on the traditional expectations in textile art and stitch. This continuing evolution is achieved through a structured programme of monthly workshops and critique sessions.

Many members undertake further personal research, studies and courses; others work as teachers, lecturers and are authors of books and magazine articles. Members are regularly represented at textile events throughout the country, and are happy to consider invitations to give talks, workshops and courses.

CHILDRENS' CREATIVE ACADEMY started back on the 27th February - Book now to save your place on the Summer Term Course!

Take a look at our spring term workshops for children. Have a go at making a beautiful Mothers Day Bouquet, make some Bonkers Bunting or a Cosmic Collage for Easter, or have fun with some Peculiar Puppets!

All children's classes can now be booked on-line by clicking here.

For our Creative Academy Flyer please click here

EXCITING NEW PROGRAMME OF ADULT WORKSHOPS

Jackie Hunt Genevieve Lavers Grainne Reynolds

Come and join us and try your hand at a new craft, make a copper foil decoration, create your own piece of silver jewellery or learn the art of printmaking to name a few - click here for more information.