Journeys – Global Textiles from the Karun Thakar Collection

This year, the National Trust is teaming up with renowned collector and curator Karun Thakar and invites visitors to experience Blickling Estate from a fresh perspective.

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

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

At Blickling, the house’s associations with commercial enterprise and colonial administration are reframed. Textiles that travelled continents – carrying stories of identity, exchange and transformation – take centre stage, showing how global connections shaped the estate.

A curated selection of star objects 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 global country house, where intertwined histories of textiles, design and worldwide exchange come to life.

Exhibition runs daily from 22 May until 1 November, the House is open 11am – 4pm, last entry 3.30pm. Standard admission prices apply; no booking required. Free for National Trust members.