Gawthorpe Textile Collection is an internationally renowned collection of global textiles and craft located in the heart of Pennine Lancashire. Founded by the Honourable Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth (1886–1967), the Collection was created to educate, inspire creativity, support wellbeing and preserve traditional craft skills.

Today, Gawthorpe Textile Collection is an accredited museum and independent registered charity caring for over 30,000 objects, making it one of the largest textile collections in the UK and the only collection of its kind in Lancashire.

The Collection is used by researchers, artists, designers, students and community groups from across the UK and beyond. While the majority of the Collection is accessible through pre-booked study visits and appointments, a changing selection of objects can also be seen on display at Gawthorpe Hall.

Gawthorpe Textile Collection is the operating name of the independent registered charity The Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth Textile Collections (1182054), caring for a nationally and internationally significant collection of over 30,000 textiles and craft objects spanning five centuries.

As a charity, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to help care for the Collection, preserve textile heritage, and continue making the Collection accessible through exhibitions, workshops, study visits and learning programmes. There are many ways to support Gawthorpe Textile Collection, including one-off donations, monthly giving and sponsoring an object from the Collection.

Every contribution helps secure the future of this extraordinary Collection and the stories, skills and creativity it represents.



Find out more about how you can support Gawthorpe Textile Collection here or make a donation below.