WHITCHURCH Silk Mill is celebrating after receiving VisitEngland's visitor attraction award for their best-told story. 

The oldest working silk mill in the UK, Whitchurch Silk Mill is both a working museum and heritage attraction and was one of 18 visitor attractions across the country to be awarded the coveted "Best Told".

The mill received an overall rating of 89 per cent, which included high scores for the overall attraction and interpretation, the retail experience and the staff and volunteers.

Noted highlights for the VisitEngland assessors was the opportunity to see the mill in action with weavers and tacklers operating the machinery daily and the special exhibitions gallery.

Freya Gulliver, the visitor experience assistant at Whitchurch Mill, said: “We’re beyond proud to have the work of our team honoured with this award. It is an assurance that the passion and knowledge the staff and volunteers have for the Mill is passed on to visitors in an engaging way."

VisitEngland awarded 97 visitor attraction accolades to attractions across five categories – best-told story, hidden gem, quality food and drink, welcome and a gold accolade.

Whitchurch Silk Mill preserves the traditional craft of silk weaving as a living museum and provides an opportunity to witness the silk-making process through the hands of their highly skilled weavers.