The historic Tone Works site is poised to become a major cultural destination for Wellington, backed by an ambitious £20 million regeneration plan.
In November 2023, Somerset Council secured nearly £20 million from the government’s levelling up fund to revitalize Tone Works and the neighboring Tonedale Mill, located on Wellington’s northern edge. Though initial efforts focused on more urgent projects like Taunton’s Firepool redevelopment, momentum is now building for this landmark site.
Tone Works and Tonedale Mill were once integral to Fox Brothers & Co. Ltd., one of the region’s oldest and largest woollen garment manufacturers. While the mill ceased most production in the 1980s, a small number of businesses still operate nearby. Tone Works itself closed in 2000 but has benefited from approximately £1 million in government funding to clean up the land and stabilize its historic structures.
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Surrounded by green spaces such as Fox’s Field—which has been publicly owned since 2021—Tone Works is council property since 2020, facilitating regeneration efforts. The neighboring Tonedale Mill remains in private hands.
To engage the community, three drop-in sessions were held at Eliza House on Fore Street, drawing over 130 local residents who shared their insights and hopes for the site’s future.
Vanessa Ruhlig, associate and heritage researcher at Thread Architects—partnering with Somerset Council on the project—described the feedback as “overwhelmingly positive.” She highlighted a clear community passion to see the site transformed into vibrant gallery spaces, markets, and creative hubs for artists and makers.
The community also expressed a strong interest in conserving wildlife, given the presence of bats, dormice, and otters thriving on the site. “This is viewed as an opportunity that enriches Tone Works’ unique character,” Ruhlig said.
Local residents reminisced about the site’s historical importance, many recalling relatives who worked there. The project team encourages anyone with memories or stories of Tone Works to share them as part of preserving the site’s heritage.
Strategically located near the proposed Grand Western Greenway, which aims to link Wellington to Taunton, and close to a planned active travel route to the nearby village of Milverton, the site offers promising connectivity away from busy roads.
In August 2025, Somerset Council committed £3.78 million towards essential repairs at Tone Works, including roof replacement, solar panel installation, timber beam restoration, structural fixes to the old boiler house, and utility reconnections. Most of this funding (£3.68 million) derives from the levelling up grant, with £105,000 contributed by Historic England.
The council’s executive committee is expected to approve any future reallocations of funds between Tonedale Mill and Tone Works.
Ruhlig emphasized the goal of making Tone Works a true destination for Wellington, which will require improved parking and safer pedestrian access. These enhancements are currently under review by the council.
“We are thrilled to be moving forward,” said Ruhlig. “With conservation repairs underway, we can start turning the community’s vision into reality, breathing new life into this historic landmark for generations to come.”