Hat Works Museum
With a National Art Pass you get
Housed in a restored Victorian mill, Hat Works in Stockport is the UK's only museum dedicated to the hatting industry, hats and headwear.
Do you know your bucket from your bowler? Journey through the history of Stockport's once thriving hatting industry and behold the array of caps, hats and bonnets on display.
The Gallery of Hats
You know what they say…if you want to get ahead, get a hat - and there are plenty to choose from in the collection. From workwear such as a fireman’s helmet and chef’s hat, to straw boaters and sun hats, to military caps and a Scottish Glengarry, the display of headgear illustrates many designs, uses and inspirations. There are also temporary exhibitions of contemporary millinery.
Factory floor
The late 19th century was the heyday of the hat, and Stockport’s hatting industry became prosperous at this time. Discover the world of hat makers from humble beginnings in the cottage industry to the mass production of the early 19th century through reconstructions and interactive displays.
Hat Works is a great way explore the history of hat making in Stockport. General admission is free and the museum's shop carries an exciting range of hatting paraphernalia, hats, and specialist books on millinery and fashion.
Visitor information
Address
Hat Works, Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK3 0EU
0161 474 2399
Opening times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am - 4pm
Last admission 3.15pm
Exclusions and safety measures
There’s lots to see, do and try on for people of all ages in our new Gallery of Hats.
Explore the global connections of Stockport’s hat collection and be inspired by the array of colours, shapes, patterns and textures of the hats on display.
Take a tour of the Factory Floor where the ‘hard hatting’ facts about Stockport’s hat trade are highlighted and you can see our restored hat -making machines in motion.
Enjoy spending time in the museum café run by Arc where you can enjoy great coffee, take in a creative wellbeing activity or exhibition.
Start your journey of discovery into headwear and wellbeing here, at the UK’s only hat museum.
Visitor information
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.