Frogmore Paper Mill, Industrial heritage museum in Apsley, England
Frogmore Paper Mill is a functioning factory on an island in the River Gade, equipped with machinery for producing paper and displaying exhibits about different production methods. The building still houses active equipment and allows visitors to follow the entire process from raw materials to finished sheets.
The site began as a corn mill mentioned in documents from 1086 and later transformed into the first mechanized paper-making factory with innovative machinery. This conversion took place in the early 1800s and marked a turning point in industrial production methods.
The mill welcomes visitors to learn and practice papermaking by hand, connecting them directly with craft traditions that shaped the community for generations. This hands-on engagement keeps the skills alive and brings people into contact with a slow, deliberate way of making things.
You can explore the site independently or join guided tours to better understand how the machinery works. You also have the option to make paper yourself and purchase finished products at the mill shop.
The site still uses one of its original machines to produce paper, making it a rare example of ongoing industrial production in a heritage setting. This aging equipment is regularly maintained and continues to operate, blending traditional craft with the visitor experience.
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