The New Lanark mills operated until 1968. After a period of decline, the New Lanark Conservation Trust (NLCT) was founded in 1974 (now known as the New Lanark Trust (NLT)) to prevent demolition of the village. By 2006 most of the buildings have been restored and the village has become a major tourist attraction. It is one of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland and an Anchor Point of ERIH - The European Route of Industrial Heritage.

The New Lanark cotton mills were founded in 1786 by David Dale in a brief partnership with Richard Arkwright. Dale was one of the self-made "Burgher Gentry" of Glasgow who, like most of this gentry, had a summer retreat, an estate at Rosebank, Cambuslang, not far from the Falls of Clyde, which have been painted by J. M. W. Turner and many other artists. The mills used the recently developed water-powered cotton spinning machinery invented by Richard Arkwright.

Opening Times: -

Visitor Centre
April - October: 10am - 5pm
November - March: 10am-4pm

Mill Shop & Mill Cafe
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm

A New Lanark Visitor Centre Passport Ticket includes entrance to all attractions within New Lanark and two daily guided tours. Your ticket is stamped around the site when you visit each attraction, so if you don't have time to visit them all you can return with your unstamped ticket to visit that area at any point in the future (ticket must be retained as proof of purchase). You can also Gift Aid your ticket to make it valid for a whole year meaning you can visit again & again - see the bottom of this page for details. The attractions included in the Visitor Centre are:

Annie McLeod Experience Ride
People, Cotton & Machinery
Millworkers' House
Robert Owen's House
Village Store
Roof Garden
Book tickets online...

On-site you will be able to purchase a village map for a donation of 50p to the New Lanark Trust - this will allow you to find your way around our historic village and make sure you don't miss any of our key attractions.

Interactive Gallery Ticket: £3.25 per child or £2.00 with a Passport Ticket only on date of purchase for up to 2 hours of play. Under 1's go free.

Purchase an 'Interactive Gallery Play Pass' for £16.25 either online, at our Reception Desk or at the School. The Play Pass allows for 5 paid entries and 1 entry free. Valid for up to 12 months from the date of purchase/first use.