Macclesfield and the Modern Silk Road

Since this journey I have been developing links between Macclesfield in the UK and Xi'an in China - developing the concept that each is at the western and eastern end of the modern Silk Road. For readers of this blog I recommend a visit to Macclesfield (1 hour 40 minutes on the train from London and only 30 minutes from Manchester) to see the hidden gem that is the Macclesfield Silk Heritage Museum. Don't miss a tour of the Paradise Mill with its ranks of old jaquard looms and ask if you can see the marvellous silk pattern book collection which is in a climate controlled room, not open to the general public.