About Us

Hat Works is the UK’s only museum dedicated solely to the hatting industry, hats and headwear!

The museum was developed as a lottery funded regeneration project in Stockport, one of Manchester's leading hatting towns.

We are an award winning interactive Visitor Attraction housed in a restored Grade ll listed Victorian Mill. Wellington Mill was appropriately once a thriving hat factory.

Hat Works opened to the public for the first time in April 2000.

Hat Works focuses on the development of the hatting industry from its humble beginnings in the cottage industry to the mass production of the early 19th century.

Live demonstrations of working machinery combined with an extensive collection of hats and stimulating audio-visual shows create an experience, which is thought provoking, educational and fun.

You can now take a VIRTUAL TOUR of Hat Works and get a flavour of our fabulous museum online! To view Hat Works virtual tour - please click here