One of the most popular parts of a visit to the Museum is seeing the grand centrepiece in action - the 1910 Axminster Jacquard Carpet Loom.
Regular demonstrations are provided by skilled carpet weavers who produce the Museum’s own Manor House Rug, available for purchase through the Museum Shop.
The Axminster Carpet Loom features over 1000 Jacquard punch cards and over 100 bobbins of different colours of wool. Visit Victorian Collections to learn more.
Axminister Jacquard Loom is temporarily unavailable for demonstrations.
Mechanically, the 112-year-old Axminister Jacquard Loom is in good working order and able to weave our much-loved Manor House Rug.
Our heritage loom requires a small quantity of very specific jute to operate. The resurgence of popularity for natural fibres along with international demand on jute means it is currently difficult to source.
Whilst the loom is out of operation, our loom operators are available to speak about the loom and the Manor House Rug.
Ask one of our staff or volunteers if you would like a yarn.