Wednesday 24 September, 2 - 4 pm: Open Studio and Exhibition Walkthrough

Royal School of Needlework, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU.

Beneath the gilded spires of Hampton Court Palace, where tapestries once whispered secrets to kings, something spellbinding stirs.

Step beyond the threshold of time for an extraordinary afternoon at the Royal School of Needlework in an intimate encounter with Divine and Mythical Creatures, a new exhibition drawn from the RSN’s historic Collection and Archive. This launch-day experience opens the door not only to the exhibition, but to the very heart of the RSN’s world-renowned Embroidery Studio - a space usually closed to the public, where ancient techniques meet modern mastery.

From fire-breathing dragons to winged angels, unicorns, goddesses, and celestial beasts, this mesmerising collection reveals embroidery’s long-held fascination with the imaginary. Stitched in silver and silk, these fantastical beings were conjured by nimble fingers and vivid minds across centuries and continents. Here, myth is made material and thread becomes magic.

Begin your visit with an illustrated talk by the exhibition’s curators, who will share the enchanting stories behind the objects on display. You’ll hear how needlework has long been used to render the invisible - giving form to dreams, beliefs, and divine visions - and how designs passed from medieval devotionals to domestic interiors, military flags to fashion’s grandest gowns.

Then, as light filters through the Palace windows, you’ll be guided into the exhibition space set within the RSN’s own Embroidery Studio, where you can examine these wondrous creatures up close, guided by the curators and expert RSN volunteers.

Finally, you’ll be granted rare access to the RSN Embroidery Studio itself: a sanctuary of stitch, founded in 1872, where embroiderers create for royalty, restore historical treasures, and bring new commissions to life. Surrounded by drawers of gleaming threads and tables of intricate works-in-progress, you’ll witness a living craft passed down through generations, carried forward with care and reverence.

This is not simply a tour - it’s a journey through time, imagination, and artistry. For lovers of embroidery, folklore, history, and beauty, it promises a truly unforgettable experience.

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