This week Kev drags a slightly confused Tim to Leigh, outside Manchester, to explore Leigh Spinners Mill, a vast former cotton mill. He’s less confused when he finds out it’s been given an extraordinary new life as a thriving community hub.

Built in 1913 for the Horrocks family, the mill is a reminder of the textile industry that once dominated Greater Manchester, shaping its towns, communities and skylines before its decline during the 20th century.

Joining the lads is planner and heritage expert Catherine Dewar to talk about Britain’s remarkable industrial heritage, why we need to find new uses for old buildings and why restoration doesn’t always need to mean making everything perfect.

Today the mill is home to artists, small businesses, a cinema, theatre, gym, archery club, computer museum, hypnotist and a clairvoyant. Yes, it’s as bonkers as it sounds but you are going to find out why it works.

It’s amazing what happens when you “Don’t knock the bloody thing down.”

Leigh Spinners Mill gets five stars from Tim.

Follow the mill on Instagram (@spinnersmillleigh).

Catherine Dewar has had a 30 year career in managing change to heritage across England, and was most recently Historic England’s Regional Director in the North West of England. In March 2026, she left her director role to set up her own consultancy, providing place leadership and progressive heritage advice across the development, heritage and culture sectors. Catherine is an urban planner by training and in heart…passionate about making places that not only work but that also bring people joy. She likes nothing more than exploring new towns and cities, and all their nooks and crannies! She has a particular soft spot for industrial heritage in all its scarred, rusty glory. (More details on her website catherinedewar.com) 

To view images from this episode, head to our Instagram page - @big_design_adventure
And be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1)

We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.com
Know someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure.

Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation) in Australia. The Royal Institute of British Architects (@RIBA) in the UK and New Zealand Institute of Architects (@nziarchitects) in New Zealand. 

 

Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud
Guest: Catherine Dewar
Big Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.
Executive Producer: Shelley Kemp
Audio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk Media
Music: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst)

This week Kev drags a slightly confused Tim to Leigh, outside Manchester, to explore Leigh Spinners Mill, a vast former cotton mill. He&rsquo;s less confused when he finds out it&rsquo;s been given an extraordinary new life as a thriving community hub.
Built in 1913 for the Horrocks family, the mill is a reminder of the textile industry that once dominated Greater Manchester, shaping its towns, communities and skylines before its decline during the 20th century.
Joining the lads is planner and heritage expert Catherine Dewar to talk about Britain&rsquo;s remarkable industrial heritage, why we need to find new uses for old buildings and why restoration doesn&rsquo;t always need to mean making everything perfect.
Today the mill is home to artists, small businesses, a cinema, theatre, gym, archery club, computer museum, hypnotist and a clairvoyant. Yes, it&rsquo;s as bonkers as it sounds but you are going to find out why it works.
It&rsquo;s amazing what happens when you &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t knock the bloody thing down.&rdquo;
Leigh Spinners Mill gets five stars from Tim.
Follow the mill on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/spinnersmillleigh/">@spinnersmillleigh</a>).
Catherine Dewar has had a 30 year career in managing change to heritage across England, and was most recently Historic England&rsquo;s Regional Director in the North West of England. In March 2026, she left her director role to set up her own consultancy, providing place leadership and progressive heritage advice across the development, heritage and culture sectors. Catherine is an urban planner by training and in heart&hellip;passionate about making places that not only work but that also bring people joy. She likes nothing more than exploring new towns and cities, and all their nooks and crannies! She has a particular soft spot for industrial heritage in all its scarred, rusty glory. (More details on her website <a href="http://catherinedewar.com">catherinedewar.com</a>)&nbsp;
To view images from this episode, head to our Instagram page - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/big_design_adventure/?hl=en">@big_design_adventure</a> And be sure to follow Tim Ross (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/modernister/?hl=en">@modernister</a>) and Kevin McCloud (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kevin.mccloud1/?hl=en">@kevin.mccloud1</a>)
We&rsquo;d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.com Know someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure.
Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by the Australian Institute of Architects (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/institute_architects_aus/?hl=en">@institute_architects_aus</a>) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/alastairswaynfoundation/?hl=en">@alastairswaynfoundation</a>) in Australia. The Royal Institute of British Architects (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/riba/">@RIBA</a>) in the UK and New Zealand Institute of Architects (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nziarchitects/">@nziarchitects</a>) in New Zealand.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud Guest: Catherine Dewar Big Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia. Executive Producer: Shelley Kemp Audio Production: Madeline Joannou &ndash; <a href="https://www.mylkmedia.com.au/">Mylk Media</a> Music: Kit Warhurst (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kitwarhurst/?hl=en">@kitwarhurst</a>)

Two mates, Tim Ross — comedian, broadcaster, and self-described design nerd — and Kevin McCloud — pundit, writer and celebrated host of Grand Designs — have teamed up for a new podcast: Tim and Kev’s Big Design Adventure.

 

In this audio escapade, the architectural enthusiasts embark on a rollicking (and occasionally shambolic) journey, sharing their love of design by visiting buildings that inspire them, meeting the people who create or inhabit them, and diving deep into the places that shape and spark their imaginations.

Two mates, Tim Ross &mdash; comedian, broadcaster, and self-described design nerd &mdash; and Kevin McCloud &mdash; pundit, writer and celebrated host of Grand Designs &mdash; have teamed up for a new podcast: Tim and Kev&rsquo;s Big Design Adventure.
&nbsp;
In this audio escapade, the architectural enthusiasts embark on a rollicking (and occasionally shambolic) journey, sharing their love of design by visiting buildings that inspire them, meeting the people who create or inhabit them, and diving deep into the places that shape and spark their imaginations.