"Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch is an unusual and fascinating place to visit. This historic site illustrates the rich heritage of the needle and fishing tackle industries. Models and recreated scenes provide a vivid illustration of how needles were once made, and how Redditch once produced 90% of the world's needles."

Having worked in Redditch for a while, next to the Washford Mill, I've wanted to see what a working needle mill would have looked like. There are some amazing bits of original wooden "scrubbing" machines in situ, still fully operational. The place was opened in 1983, and looks superb still today! You can just smell the history in here. Some beautiful bits of kit in the older section. Well worth £4 entry and £2 for a sarnie, salad and crisps!!!

Does the water wheel work? It looks wet

Oh it sure does. The entire place has been restored to work as a museum mill. It really is a great place to have a look at.