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Discover hand spinning and weaving

Meet our expert crafters Cate and Janet to discover how to spin wool and weave thread, you can even get hands on and have a go at it yourself.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

The ancient crafts of spinning thread and weaving cloth are things that people have done for centuries, without these there would be no clothes to wear!

Come and try for yourself - feel and smell the sheep's wool, try your hand with a drop spindle and have a go on a spinning wheel. Do you know what a niddy noddy or a lazy Kate is? See if you can make some thread for the weaver to use. Then have a go at weaving on one of the handlooms. Explore the weft and warp, try not to get your threads in a tangle.

Plus, you can see the fabulous textile displays on the first floor from Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. And a selection of second-hand textile and craft books will also be on sale, if you want something to take home for inspiration.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Accessibility

This event is on the first floor. Due to the historic nature of the building, there is no lift.

Contact info

Lancashire County Council

Upcoming events

Event

Great Big Green Week - Tree ID and Woodland Workshop 

Join a National Trust Ranger and discover more about some of the oldest and most fascinating trees here in the grounds of Gawthorpe Hall.

Event summary

on
14 Jun 2025
at
10:00 to 12:00
Event

An Account of Life: Gawthorpe Hall in the 1600s 

An exhibition bringing the household of Gawthorpe Hall in the 1600s to life, through the original account books of the Shuttleworth Family.

Event summary

on
14 Jun to 2 Nov 2025
at
12:00 to 17:00
+ 101 other dates or times
Event

Gawthorpe Textiles Collection exhibition 

A fantastic display of beautiful historic textiles from the collection of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, across four rooms of the Hall.

Event summary

on
14 Jun to 2 Nov 2025
at
12:00 to 17:00
+ 101 other dates or times
Event

Creative Writing Workshop 

Be inspired to have a go at writing inside the stunning setting of Gawthorpe Hall on this creative writing workshop.

Event summary

on
21 Jun 2025
at
13:00 to 15:00