The Textile Conservation Studio

Textile Conservation Studio

The Textile Conservation Studio is our only specialist textile conservation treatment facility and they have their work cut out.

The Trust’s textile collections are of international importance, numbering over 100,000 individual items, the majority of these precious, and often unique objects, remain on display in the houses for which they were made or acquired.

Interior of the The Tapestry Room at The Vyne, Hampshire
The Tapestry Room, The Vyne, Hampshire
Interior of the The Tapestry Room at The Vyne, Hampshire

These textiles boast a wide range of styles, materials and techniques. From grand furnishings such as state beds with rich hangings and trimmings to fine tapestries and costumes, they all help us connect directly with the people of our past.

These textiles boast a wide range of styles, materials and techniques. From grand furnishings such as state beds with rich hangings and trimmings to fine tapestries and costumes, they all help us connect directly with the people of our past.

Conservator treating one of the dolls from Nostell Baby House
Conserved textile objects back on display at Nostell Priory
Conservators vacuuming reverse of Gideon tapestry before wet clean

Conservation treatment to one of the dolls from the Nostell Dolls House

Conserved Doll back insitu with other textile objects treated at the Textile Conservation Studio

Tapestries have a thorough vacuum when they arrive at the studio, before they are sent off to be wet cleaned. This tapestry from Hardwick Hall had a kilo of dust and dirt removed.


At the National Trust Textile Conservation Studio we work on an amazing breadth of objects, from the vast - such as the Gideon tapestries at Hardwick Hall and the State beds from Knole, to miniature - such as dolls house objects from Nostell Priory and Uppark and  Coughton Court’s Book of Hours. Our specialist knowledge allows us to treat and advise on the best solutions for care and conservation treatment of textiles within our National Trust properties.

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