| Event type: | Outing |
| Date: | 8th October 2026 |
| Time: | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm |
| Group: | Travel |
| Organiser: | |
| Cost: | £10.00 per person |
| Booking: | Note that booking is required. |
John Boyd Textiles was established in Castle Cary, Somerset, in 1837 by Scottish cloth merchant John Boyd.
John Boyd started with handloom horsehair weaving in his cottage and by 1851 Boyd builds his first factory in Castle Cary. John invents and patents a revolutionary mechanical picker loom in 1872. This machine automatically selects single horsehairs.
By 1900, the company is employing over 200 people, shaping the town's economy and building worker housing like Jubilee Cottages. 1956: Production moves to the historic three-storey Higher Flax Mill (built in 1870), where original belt-driven Victorian looms from 1877, still operate today.
There are only two commercial horsehair weaving mills left in the entire world, the second being Manufacture du Crin in Challes France.
The tours last approximately one hour and the cost is £10 per person. The minimum no. of people for a tour is 10 and the maximum 25. Important the tour is not suitable for anyone with mobility problems as there are a lot of steep stairs to climb.
During the tour you will be shown how the fabric is made, from the beginning with raw materials through to the end when you will see the finished cloth. Also, you will hear about some of the history of the business. Most of their historical artefacts can be found at Castle Cary Museum.
With thanks to those who have shown interest already.