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 shop and gallery offering a wide range of exceptional products handmade by local makers and those from further afield. There are also a number of on-site makers at The Mill, 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.

Due to our programme of childrens workshops and our wish to maintain safe, tranquil surroundings for all our visitors this summer, from Monday 23rd July we will be closing the courtyard to all vehicles between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and 11am and 4pm on Sundays.

Delivery vehicles etc. may enter the courtyard outside these hours.

Disabled parking bays are available in the main car park and staff are always happy to help in any way we can.

What's on at The Mill...

Summer Blast Children's Programme - Book Online Now!

Come and join 'Where The Wild Things Are!' at Walford Mill this summer, making amazing art celebrating the wild side of Wimborne. Explore the Mill's grounds, get close up to nature and then create your own wild artworks to take home using natural recycled materials.

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

New Exhibition - JULIE MASSIE: PORCELAIN EDGES

14 July - 3 September 2018

Julie Massie is inspired by the Jurassic coastline and its fragility due to erosion by the waves. Her work reflects both the fragility of the wave edges, and the strength of the destructive waves in winter, as expressed in the greys and blues of the colours used. Massie’s work incorporates shards of stained porcelain paper clay; the porcelain is not glazed but colour is added using chemicals or commercial stains. Porcelain tiles are either framed or stitched to canvas to create wall hangings.

Walford Mill is excited to be able to show Julie Massie’s work in the new gallery space at the heart of the old mill building. Massie completed an MA at UCA Farnham in 2016 and went on to show her work at the COLLECT17 exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London in 2017. A local artist, she is delighted to be able to show the work to her home crowd.

On Show at The Mill

The Quarterjack Quilters and the Window on Wimborne Quilt

The Quarterjack Quilters started over 30 years ago, when a group of young women interested in sewing started to meet and sew.

To mark the 30^th anniversary of the group in 2013, it was decided to celebrate by making a quilt to show the assets of Wimborne and reinforce our local connection to the town. A list was drawn up of various places unique to Wimborne and members were asked to choose one to portray in patchwork or quilting.

It has been travelling around Wimborne venues ever since, and in the last two years has been shown in libraries, shops, the Minster, community centres, the Model Town, Merley House, Wimborne Hospital and several other Wimborne venues and is now on show for all to see at Walford Mill.