Discover Spinning and Weaving
Meet our expert heritage 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 ability to spin thread and weave cloth by hand are crafts that people have done for centuries, without these there would be no clothes to wear!
Come and try them for yourself in the drop-in session - 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.
This event is on the ground floor, there are some steps to get into the building and between rooms on the ground floor, due to the historic nature of the building there is no lift.
Times
Prices
Event ticket prices
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Check admission pricesThe basics
- Accessibility
This event is on the ground floor, there are some steps to get into the building and between rooms on the ground floor, due to the historic nature of the building there is no lift.
- Suitability for children
More suited to adults.
Upcoming events
Gawthorpe Textiles Collection exhibition
A fantastic display of beautiful historic textiles from the collection of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, across five rooms of the Hall.
The Invention of Charlotte Bronte - talk and book signing
Author Graham Watson will talk about his book "The Invention of Charlotte Bronte", in which he examines the creation of the Brontë legend through the lens of Elizabeth Gaskell's controversial biography.
Family fun afternoon - Garden Games and Giant Bubbles
Come on down for an afternoon of family fun activities in the garden of Gawthorpe Hall.
Great Gawthorpe Gnome Hunt
The Great Gawthorpe Gnomes have run off and hidden around the garden – see how many you can spot on this fun trail.