Tapestry of the North: Our Textile Heritage
The British Tapestry Group’s new travelling exhibition, Tapestry of the North: Our Textile Heritage, is now open at Farfield Mill in Sedbergh, Cumbria, and offers a vivid celebration of northern England’s textile traditions. Running until 21 December 2025, the open, non-juried show brings together works from tapestry artists across the region — from seasoned professionals to new weavers just discovering the medium’s possibilities.
Kate Horner, Mizzling. Photo: Farfield Mill
The exhibition’s theme, “Our Textile Heritage,” is as broad and rich as the industrial past it draws upon. Each tapestry offers a personal interpretation of the North’s deep-rooted relationship with cloth, from the wool-rich hills of Yorkshire and Cumbria, to the cotton mills of Lancashire, and the linen weavers and dyers along the River Tees. Together, these handwoven pieces create a vibrant map of creativity, labour, and landscape.
Jane Walkley, Rhythm of the Weave III. Photo: Farfield Mill
Tapestry of the North showcases an impressive diversity of style and technique. Visitors will encounter finely detailed figurative works, bold abstractions, and experimental approaches that push the boundaries of traditional tapestry techniques. The exhibition highlights not only the skill of established makers but also the enthusiasm and curiosity of those newly captivated by the loom in a cross-section of talent that mirrors the enduring resilience and innovation of the North itself.
Alastair Duncan – Illusion. Photo: Farfield Mill
Farfield Mill, the first stop on the exhibition’s journey, is a fitting venue. Built in 1837, this riverside mill once exported woollens around the world; today, it thrives as a nonprofit arts centre dedicated to weaving and contemporary craft, and visitors can explore the exhibition alongside the Mill’s studios, galleries, and antique looms. The public will also have the chance to cast a vote for the Farfield Mill People’s Prize, announced on 14 December.
Shirley Ross, Blue Illusion. Photo credit: Farfield Mill.
After Sedbergh, Tapestry of the North will travel east to Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar (16 January – 16 July 2026) before concluding at Halifax’s Bankfield Museum, a historic wool town steeped in textile history (12 September 2026 – 6 March 2027). At each venue, visitors are invited to engage with workshops, loom demonstrations, and even the chance to buy weaving supplies from Weaversbazaar’s pop-up shops.
The British Tapestry Group (BTG) continues to champion tapestry weaving as a vital and evolving art form. Founded by artists including Shirley Ross, the BTG nurtures both professional and emerging makers through exhibitions, education, and advocacy. Tapestry of the North reflects that mission, intertwining the threads of past and present to celebrate the enduring artistry of the North’s woven heritage. It stands as both a tribute to the industrial ingenuity that shaped the region and a testament to the creative hands keeping those traditions alive today.
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Further Information:
Tapestry of the North: Our Textile Heritage is on show now at Farfiled Mill, Cumbria, until 21 December 2025.
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Image Credits:
Lead: Anne Wetherell, The Howgills Tapestry. This handwoven tapestry celebrates the local sheep and their wool, translating a watercolour image of the view of the Howgill Fells from just below Farfeld Mill into textile art, using locally sourced wool yarn. Photo: Farfield Mill.
All further images as credited in photo captions.