Dawe's Twineworks

The Jurassic sandstone of our area was ideal for growing flax and hemp - the raw material for twine, rope, nets and sailcloth. These products were the basis of world exploration and trade.
Coker Canvas was the best quality sailcloth available, but when others copied the process and power looms were introduced elsewhere, our village of West Coker moved over to mass production of twine.
Our twineworks began in 1851 but was rebuilt and mechanised by the Dawe family in 1898. It operated until 1968 and by 2000 was derelict and in danger of collapse. Local volunteers have raised money and rebuilt the whole site, and have installed a 1927 Shanks oil engine to replace the one sold to provide Mr Dawe with a pension. That engine powers 11 twisting and finishing machines on two floors of our 90m 'walk'.
We demonstrate how twine was produced and children can make a piece of twine or rope and understand the difference.
Away from the cold and damp of the Victorian factory, our modern visitor centre offers a welcome, explanations, displays and, perhaps best of all, cake.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 08 September:

10am to 4pm

Sunday 15 September:

10am to 4pm

Location & directions

Dawe's Twineworks, 94A High Street, West Coker, Yeovil, Somerset, BA229AU

Directions:

Blue and white sign with a ship image, 70m west of the end of the 20mph zone

Contact on day:

Ross Aitken

Telephone number:

+441935862938

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

It is a Victorian factory with some uneven floors and ground outside. Parking available for about 20 cars, including 6 for the 'less able' adjacent to the visitor centre and factory. We do have bees at the far end of the site

Additional information

We are very informal. Guided tours are always given, but timing depends on who arrives when. We start as soon as we have a group. Expect to leave having learnt things your didn't know you didn't know! Tours, with running machinery last about an hour. You can read material and watch a video in our visitor centre while having coffee and cake, and in our archive centre.

Max no of people per tour:

30

Est. tour duration:

2 hour(s)

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