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‘Journeys’ at Blickling: global textiles from the Karun Thakar collection explore history and living traditions.

Published:
22 January 2026
Kimono, Japan, 1900-30 (c) Karun Thakar Collection
Kimono, Japan, 1900-30 (c) Karun Thakar Collection | © Desmond Brambley

‘Journeys’ will showcase highlights from Karun Thakar’s renowned global textile collection, exploring migration, trade, craftsmanship, colonialism and design. Featuring Japanese kimonos, Punjabi baghs, French toiles, Italian embroideries, Turkoman coats and Ghanaian Kente cloths, the exhibition highlights Blickling’s role as a global country house and the interwoven histories of textiles and culture.

Embroidery, Italian, c.1700 (detail) (c) The Karun Thakar Collection
Embroidery, Italian, c.1700 (detail) (c) The Karun Thakar Collection | © Desmond Brambley

This year, the National Trust is teaming up with renowned collector, author and curator Karun Thakar to invite visitors to experience three historic properties – Blickling Estate, Osterley Park and Dyrham Park – from a fresh perspective.

Journeys brings together standout pieces from Thakar’s remarkable global textile collection to explore powerful themes including migration, trade, craftsmanship, colonialism, global histories and the pursuit of beauty.

Across the exhibitions, vibrant textile displays uncover the layered stories behind objects, materials and people – revealing both their tangible histories and the living traditions they continue to inspire today.

At Blickling, the house’s long associations with commercial enterprise and colonial administration are reframed. Textiles that travelled across continents – carrying with them stories of identity, exchange and transformation – take centre stage, illuminating how global connections helped shape this iconic estate.

A carefully curated selection of star objects from Karun Thakar’s collection will be on show, including Japanese kimonos, Punjabi baghs and kanthas, French toiles and chintz, Italian embroideries, Turkoman coats, and Kente cloths from Ghana. Together, they highlight Blickling’s role as a truly global country house, where the intertwined histories of textiles, design and worldwide exchange come vividly to life.

Journeys runs from 22 May until 1 November. House open 10am – 4pm, last entry 3.30pm.

Ashburnham embroidered bed hanging, Gudjarat, India, 17th century (detail) (c) Karun Thakar Collection
Ashburnham embroidered bed hanging, Gudjarat, India, 17th century (detail) (c) Karun Thakar Collection | © Desmond Brambley
Statue of Sphinxes in the Parterre, Blickling Estate, Norfolk

Blickling Estate's collections

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Discover the House at Blickling Estate 

Discover more about Blickling Hall, in Norfolk, a Jacobean mansion thought to be the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, and sits in a historic park.

A family in the Long Gallery at Blickling Hall reading books on the sofa, other visitors explore in the background

History of Blickling Estate 

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the estate was the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, and during the Second World War RAF air crew were billeted here.

A red brick manor house stands at the end of a green lawn and is flanked by red brick buildings

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There's much more to Blickling Estate than its famous house. Covering 4,600 acres with 950 acres of woodland and parkland and 3,500 acres of farmland, Blickling Estate is great for exploring alone, with family or your four-legged friends.

Blickling Estate as seen from the sky

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