Soap, Stories & Victorian Machinery – The Remarkable History of Droyts Fine Soaps
Sophie Chew
- Organisation:
- Droyt Soap
- Region:
- Lancashire
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £45-65
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 9th October 2026
- Tagged:
- Lancashire | Soap Making | Machinery | History
Hidden away in a Victorian mill in Lancashire is a remarkable little soap factory where transparent glycerine soap is still made using traditional methods, antique hand-operated and foot-powered equipment, and skills passed down through generations.
Established in 1893 and based in Chorley since 1937, Droyts Fine Soaps is a fascinating example of British manufacturing heritage that is still very much alive today.
This entertaining and illustrated talk reveals the extraordinary history of the company, the unusual processes involved in making transparent glycerine soap, and the wonderful collection of antique tools and machinery that are still used in its production.
With a mixture of history, nostalgia, surprising facts and behind-the-scenes stories, discover how a small Lancashire business has continued making something we all use every day, in a way that has changed remarkably little over the decades.
A fascinating glimpse into a working factory quite unlike anywhere else!
Views: 14 | Enquiries: 0About Sophie Chew
I’m Sophie Chew, and I have the pleasure of working at Droyts Fine Soaps, a wonderfully unusual, historic soap manufacturer in Chorley, Lancashire.
Working in such a fascinating environment, surrounded by antique machinery, traditional craftsmanship and people with a wealth of knowledge, has given me a real enthusiasm for sharing the Droyts story.
In my own time, I enjoy visiting local groups and organisations to give friendly, informal and entertaining talks about the factory, its history and the remarkable way we still make soap today.
I particularly enjoy bringing a little-known piece of Lancashire’s industrial heritage to life, sharing the stories and unusual details that people might otherwise never get to hear.
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