12th & 13th September 2026
Visit our Spinning Mill, Twisting and Red Lane Mill Studios during our Heritage Festival weekend to see what artists do all day! Meet talented makers and artists, discover their processes and buy new work direct from independent artists and craftspeople. Happening as part of Leeds Open Studios.
This year, we are welcoming even more local artists to exhibit their work at the Mills in our first Pop-Up Studios in the Main Yard. Come along to see the work of artists and makers usually working from home studios.
Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm | FREE ENTRY | Children must be accompanied by an adult.
pop-up studios
Meet a range of Leeds based artists at their outdoor Pop-up Studios in the Main Yard!
Clocking In Trail
During your visit to the Mills, follow the family friendly ‘Clocking In Trail’. Look for Everyday History spots around the site signposted by colourful bunting and archival photos, stamp your card at each of the 6 spots, and win a prize!
Visit the Main Yard, Bobbin Room or any set of Studios to get started.
FREE drop-in | Donations welcomed on the day | Suitable for all ages
spinning mill studios
the twisting studios
red lane mill studios
The Rolling Year
Visit a brand new collaborative exhibition by Kim Coley & Mel Davies in our atmospheric Spinning Mill Loft.
For many years Kim & Mel ran a Life Drawing Class within the Spinning Mill Studios.
“Over the years, Mel and I have developed our own visual language and we each have our own preoccupations, however for the last few year we have been working together on the same pictures at the same time. This is our second show as collaborators. On Wednesdays, we meet up, exchange a few words, and then set to applying paint onto panels, responding to the other’s marks until it is time to let go. The paintings are different to the work Mel and I make individually. How it works, I don’t know, yet it is deeply fulfilling and the most fun I’ve had whilst brandishing a paintbrush and up to my elbows in turps.” – Kim Coley
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 16:00 | Spinning Mill Loft
No pre-booking required | Free entry
ACCESSIBILITY
The Spinning Mill & Twisting Studios have stair and lift access. The Spinning Mill Loft is accessed by stairs only, but Mel and Kim will also have work on display within the Spinning Mill Studios.
Red Lane Mill Studios are accessed by stairs only. The Studio Print Trail can be completed in the Gallery if you are unable to access Red Lane Studios.
Free parking is available across the site, including accessible spaces.
Find a Mill Host in a pink hi-vis vest for assistance across the site and for directions to quiet spaces.
Accessible toilets can be found in the Gallery Corridor, and in every other building on site.
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