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British Quilt Heritage
Journey Sorry - this tour is sold out. To be placed on a waiting list, please email textiletours@aol.com Much
is attributed to the quilting culture
of the British Isles as it relates to the world's patchwork and quiltmaking history. On this incredible journey through England and
Wales, we will see some of the most noteworthy textile and quilt
collections in the this part of the world and learn about British quilts from renowned experts. A highlight will be a visit to the
historic quilt exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Once
again for your pleasure, we will open doors to historic
collections and archives which are rarely seen by the public.
The tour has been divided into two
modules for those who may not be able to participate in the entire 18 day
adventure. If you are unable to participate in the full tour, you
may choose from two options; both will include time at the V&A. Please
review the itinerary for full details.
A portion of the proceeds from this tour will benefit quilt
history. You may choose to give your donation to: The Alliance for
American Quilts, The American Quilt Study Group or The International Quilt
Study Center. |
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June 2, 2010: Today we will depart the USA independently for morning arrival in Manchester, England, on June 3. Experience has taught me that most travelers would rather fly on their own because independent air arrangements allow one to use their mileage plans and/or fly directly from their home city without the hassles of meeting in one location for a group departure. Plus, I have found it more economical for my clients not to fly on a group program, saving hundreds of dollars. I am happy to assist with air bookings for anyone, and as some may go through the same exit airport in the US, I will certainly help any wishing to fly with a group to be on he same exit flights into Manchester. Module A begins today. Day 1, June 3, 2010: Arrive in Manchester. Upon arrival, we will check into our beautiful hotel – the Crown Plaza Manchester. For those not requiring some recovery time from your flight, this afternoon there will be an optional excursion to the Gallery of Costume at Platt Hall. The gallery houses the one of the largest collections of costume and fashion accessories dating from the 17th century and is housed in an 18th century textile manufacturer’s home. A minimum number of people are required for this option; please see the registration page for details. This evening we will meet for a welcome dinner and ice-breaker. Overnight: Manchester Day 2, June 4: After a hearty breakfast we are off for a full day in Cheshire and the town of Macclesfield, famous in Great Britain for silk production. We will be visiting four interrelated Macclesfield museums, and the highlight of our day will be an archival visit at the Silk Heritage Trust to see their printed textile sample books. The Silk Industry Museum collections include a large variety of textiles including 40,000 examples of woven and printed fabric from local manufacturers. Overnight: Manchester. Day 3, June 5: This morning we will visit one of Britain’s favorite textile related attractions, the Quarry Bank Mill and its Apprentice House. The restored Georgian mill is a fully working cotton mill and authentically depicts life within the complete industrial community, including the apprentice house which housed and schooled their unpaid child labour. After our visit here, we will see the textile collection at the Whitworth Art Gallery Museum before returning to Manchester. Day 4, June 6: Departing Manchester after breakfast, today we travel into Wales where a treat lies in store for us at the Minerva Art Center, home of the Welsh Quilting Association. We are very fortunate that they have offered to be available to our group on a Sunday, as their collection of Welsh quilts is outstanding and something we do not want to miss. After spending some up close and personal time with quilts from their archives, we will travel toward the South-West Wales Coast to Swansea for the remainder of our evening. Overnight: Swansea. Day 5, June 7: For a quilt-lover, what visit to Wales would be complete without a stop at Jen Jones’ Shop? We will be visiting with Jen at her new quilt gallery in Lampeter and also her shop which is in the nearby countryside. Jen will spend time with us discussing Welsh quilts and how they relate to quilts from other areas in the United Kingdom. Just to tempt you, Jen has Wales’ finest collection of antique quilts for sale. Following our time here, we will be off to Historic Bath where the remainder of the evening will be free to enjoy this ancient city. Overnight: Bath. Day 6, June 8: Today is considered to be a “catch-your-breath” day. After breakfast at the hotel you are free to do as you wish and there is no shortage of things to see in this incredible city. For those who may be interested, nearby is the American Museum, home of many American quilts which are on permanent display. Overnight: Bath. Day 7, June 9: This morning, we are off to London! Those from module B will arrive in London this morning. After we have checked into our hotel, we will re-group before heading to the V&A museum to see the quilt exhibition. As entry is timed, I will hand out the passes and then you will be on your own until our visit. Except for our entry here, the remainder of the day and evening are free. Overnight: London. *Module B begins today. Day 8, June 10: There is little to say about the things to see and do in London – and today is your day to see those things in London you have always wanted to see. If you like you can arrange for private tours, or hop on and off the tube seeing the many historic and colorful London sites. Many attractions are available, and this way you can see what you want at your own pace. Overnight: London Day 9, June 11: Today is scheduled as the first day of the V&A quilt symposium. The V&A has been very quiet about the availability of tickets for a group and tell me (as of June 4, 2009) they have no available information. Because not everyone will want to attend the symposium, this will be an option. Further details about ticket purchases will follow to everyone who has registered for the tour as soon as they become available to me. Tickets to the symposium are not included in the overall tour price. Day 10, June 12: Today is the final day of the V&A symposium. Should you choose not to attend the symposium on either day, these days should be considered free to visit the many London or nearby sites. Many day-trips can be arranged, including a tour to see the William Morris home and museum. Overnight London Day 11, June 13: After breakfast today we will be heading toward the North Country and North Country Quilts! Our final stop this afternoon will be Durham. Overnight: Durham *Participants in Module A will depart today Day 12, June 14: There will be plenty of North Country Quilts waiting for us this morning at the Beamish Museum where we will spend time with curator Rosy Allan. Rosy will be sharing quilts from the Beamish collection as well as her insights on North Country Quilts. After exploring the remaining treasures at this outdoor museum, we will return to Durham in the afternoon where the remainder of the day will be free to enjoy the area. Overnight: Durham Day 13, June 15: An exceptional day awaits us!. This morning we will be visiting the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. Described as having a “treasury of quilts”, we will have a special curatorial visit with their textile curator, Joanna Hashagen. Following our time at the Bowes, we will depart for York. After our arrival and check into our centrally located hotel, the remainder of the day is open so you may explore the old city on your own. Don’t forget to stop for tea with some clotted cream and scones – or the world famous sticky pudding!! Overnight: York. Day 14: June 16: After breakfast, we will begin our 10 minute walk to the home of the Quilter’s Guild of the British Isles in St. Anthony’s Hall. Here, we will split into two groups; while one is enjoying a visit to the archives with the curator, the other will be free to explore the guild’s gallery exhibition. This afternoon is free to enjoy York, but do try to take in the York Castle Museum, their collections are wonderful. Overnight: York. Day 15, June 17: Following an early breakfast, we will depart York and head toward Manchester. On our way, we will stop at Gawthorpe Hall in Burnley. Gawthorpe Hall is a Jacobean style mansion built between 1600 and 1605. Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, a descendent of the original owner lived in the hall until 1967 and was the last of the family residents. Rachel is responsible for the amazing textile collection that is on display in the Hall today. She collected textiles from the age of 9, studied them and generously shared her knowledge with others. The collection includes pieces from all over the world, from many periods of history and includes a huge variety of techniques - lacework and embroidery to quilting and costume dresses. There are over 300 pieces on display in the Hall; however we are also invited to a private showing of special quilts which are not on public display. A visit to the nearby Queen Street Mill Textile Museum is also scheduled for today. This mill is the worlds only surviving 19th century steam powered weaving mill, and a tribute to the area’s cotton industry. Overnight: Manchester. Day 16, June 18: Following breakfast, we will tour the World Heritage Site of the Arkwright Mill and Museum in Cromford. Sir Richard Arkwright is known to many as the world’s first industrialist, having developed the factory system that turned Britain into the cotton manufacturing capital of the world. Notably, Arkwright is also credited for inventing the first water powered cotton mill. Here, we will not only visit the mill but also spend time exploring the village he built for the workers. As we drive through what is known as the Peak District, one will be able to imagine the hub of activity that was focused in this area in the late 18th and 19th centuries. This evening we will gather for a farewell dinner together. Day 17: June 19: As all good things must come to an end – our Quilter’s Heritage Journey together ends today. It is my hope that you will leave enriched with both memories and increased appreciation for Great Britain’s contributions to the textile world.
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Included in your tour:
Pricing
Full Tour: June 2-19 (17 days)
Module A: June 2-13
Module B: June 9-19 **Module A will have the option to extend their stay in London for an additional night, departing on June 14 – see the registration form for pricing details. Insurance is strongly recommended for all tours. Insurance may be purchased from me or any reliable carrier. My rates for this tour are as follows: Full Tour: $140pp/185pp single Module A or B only: $100pp/$145pp single Module A extension: $15 Due to facility size restrictions, space on this tour is extremely limited. Please register early to avoid disappointment. It is my pleasure to donate a portion of the proceeds from this tour to non-profit organizations which support quilt history. You may choose the organization you would like to donate to on the registration form.
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