Skip to content
Skip to content

Gawthorpe Textiles Collection exhibition

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

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth was an expert with a needle, as well as making textiles she also collected and studied them. The items on display in this exhibition are a tiny part of the extensive and beautiful collection, she built up throughout her lifetime. Using the theme of 'Colour', the exhibition showcases embroidery, pattern and printing, woolwork, metallic threads and some costume pieces. There is something for everyone to admire and be inspired by.

Plus, for 2025 there is an additional display about Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth's other passion in life – the Girl Guides. In 1925 a fete and Lancashire pageant was held in the grounds of Gawthorpe Hall, organised and put on by the local guide troops as a fundraising event. Two of the pageant outfits still exist and are on display, along with Guiding memorabilia from the event. Look out for the trefoil gate in the grounds too.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

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

Check admission prices

The basics

Accessibility

This exhibition 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

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
25 Jun to 2 Nov 2025
at
12:00 to 17:00
+ 94 other dates or times
Event

Delve into family history research with Lancashire Archives and Local History 

Are you a new starter to family history or a seasoned expert that has got stuck with a tricky name? Find out more about how to research your family history with Lancashire Archives and Local History.

Event summary

on
27 Jun 2025
at
13:00 to 14:00
+ 1 other date or time
Event

Discovering Lace 

Meet our expert lace makers and see some fine examples of this wonderfully intricate craft.

Event summary

on
4 Jul 2025
at
12:00 to 16:00
Event

The Craft House: a talk about Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth and her textile collection 

This talk by the curator of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection tells the fascinating story of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, who grew up at Gawthorpe Hall and had a passion for textiles and craft.

Event summary

on
17 Jul 2025
at
13:00 to 14:30