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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

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
8 Oct to 2 Nov 2025
at
12:00 to 17:00
+ 19 other dates or times

Talk on: Witches, Dark Arts and Demonology 

Popular speaker Dr Colin Penny is back with a new talk about why there was a moral panic about witches and what were the horrors of the supernatural in the 1600s?

Event summary

on
8 Oct 2025
at
13:00 to 14:30

Gallery Tour: Exploring Innovations in Colour Printing & Dyeing 

A tour of the textile galleries at Gawthorpe Hall focusing on innovations in colour, print and dyeing.

Event summary

on
15 Oct 2025
at
11:00 to 12:00

Halloween Trail 

What spooky creatures will you find on this trail in Gawthorpe's grounds?

Event summary

on
25 Oct 2025
at
12:00 to 15:00