The Mill and the Museum & Archive have a range of research and education resources available to anyone interested.
My Learning - From Farsley to the Front Line
We are delighted to have collaborated with MyLearning, an online organisation who provide free learning resources from arts, cultural and heritage organisations, to create a series of modules .
This resource was created for the First World War Centenary in 2014-2018 with research based on the textile collection at Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Leeds with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The First World War (WW1) was a turning point in world history – it claimed many lives and impacted everyone.
This resource looks at the work on the home front during the First World War and the production of khaki cloth made at Sunny Bank Mills for the thousands of uniforms needed throughout the war.
Publications
These can be purchased from the Museum & Archive or the Gallery.
Sunny Bank Mills history booklet: £5.
A brief history of Sunny Bank Mills and the people who owned it.
Threads of War exhibition catalogue with handstitched detail: £12.50
Threads of War, the culmination of research at Sunny Bank Mills Museum & Archive into khaki production and life on the home front, in a small village in Yorkshire during the First World War. The booklet explores what life was like in Farsley and the industrial war effort of the many that lived here.
Weaving the Web Workbook
Following completion of the Weaving the Web Project, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, our online collection is live and can be viewed here. You can find out more about What we did, how and why in the project workbook.
Family Mill Trail
Follow the trail and learn stories about the history of the Mills and who worked here!
The trail will take you all around Sunny Bank Mills, and will give you the chance to learn more about the history of the Mills and its many building, and make you think about the people that worked here.
This is a family and school friendly activity where you can answer questions and collect the rubbings of different types of weave patterns that would have been used back when we were producing fine worsted cloth. Once you’ve finished the trail, head back to the Gallery and collect your prize!
Print off a trail map here or pick one up from the Sunny Bank Mills Gallery or the Museum & Archive during our opening hours.
Industrial Revolution Workbook
Our new work book to accompany school workshops at Sunny Bank Mills Museum & Archive. After a few months developing and creating in collaboration with Agnis Smallwood and with the support of Historic England, we now are able to offer teachers of Primary School children our Industrial Revolution work book as a resource to accompany a workshop visit to the Mill.
Heritage Network Trust Case Study
In autumn 2025 the Heritage Network produced a Case Study on the redevelopment of Sunny Bank Mills which you can read here.
You can also join the Heritage Network by visiting their webpage https://heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk/
Landmark Trust Podcast: Woven Past
The Landmark Trust chat to our Heritage Director Rachel Moaby and weaver Agnis Smallwood to discover more about how traditions are being kept alive at the mill. There are two podcasts to listen to; Woven Histories Part 1 and Woven Past.
Video tours
Managing directors William and John Gaunt take you on a tour of the mill...
360 degree tours
Our Museum & Archive 360 features an oral history by June Pearce, former mender and burler at Sunny Bank Mills.
Warp and War
Jane Morland, Boff Whalley and Phil Moody along with a few voices from the Commoners Choir reimagine what life was like for the people of Farsley during the First World War through a short performance using song and storytelling. This performance was part of an Exhibition called “Threads of War” to mark the World War One Armistice.
More at the Mill