Journeys at Blickling Estate: Global Textiles from the Karun Thakar Collection

‘Journeys’ will showcase highlights from Karun Thakar’s renowned global textile collection, exploring global migration, trade, craftsmanship and design. Featuring Japanese kimonos, Punjabi baghs, French toiles, Italian embroideries, Turkoman coats and Ghanaian Kente cloths, the exhibition highlights Blickling’s role as a global country house and the interwoven histories of textiles and culture.

This year, the National Trust is teaming up with renowned collector, author and curator Karun Thakar to invite visitors to experience three historic properties – Blickling Estate, Osterley Park and Dyrham Park – from a fresh perspective.

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

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

At Blickling, the house’s long associations with commercial enterprise and colonial administration are reframed. Textiles that travelled across continents – carrying with them stories of identity, exchange and transformation – take centre stage, illuminating how global connections helped shape this iconic estate.

A carefully curated selection of star objects from Karun Thakar’s collection 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 truly global country house, where the intertwined histories of textiles, design and worldwide exchange come vividly to life.

Journeys runs from 22 May until 1 November. House open 10am – 4pm, last entry 3.30pm.