Quaker Tapestry Museum

About the museum

The Quaker Tapestry is a set of 77 embroidered panels showing Quaker history and the Quaker influence on society, from the scientific and industrial revolutions to social reform, peace work and the campaign against slavery. It began in 1981 as the idea of Anne Wynn-Wilson, and around 4,000 people aged from 3 to 93, in 15 countries, took part in stitching it. A special corded embroidery stitch, the Quaker stitch, was invented for it.

Since 1994 the tapestry has had a permanent home in Kendal's Friends Meeting House, a Georgian building of 1816 on land that Quakers have used for worship since 1687. The meeting house is still a place of worship and also has a walled peace garden, a café and rooms for hire.

The trustees closed the Quaker Tapestry Museum as a staffed museum in December 2025 for financial reasons. In 2026 volunteers arranged for the tapestry to be on display on Wednesdays with free admission, and the current run continues until 28 October 2026. Plans for future displays of the tapestry and collection are being developed.

Highlights

• 77 embroidered panels telling Quaker history
• Embroidery made by about 4,000 people in 15 countries
• Georgian Friends Meeting House of 1816
• Peace Garden and Garden Cafe on site

Permanent exhibition

• The Quaker Tapestry – The 77 embroidered panels that follow Quaker history and the Quaker contribution to society, displayed in the Friends Meeting House.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Quaker Tapestry (registered charity 1035077)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the Wednesday displays is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Stramongate entrance has step-free access with automatic doors, and the whole museum including the café is described as accessible to wheelchair users. There is an all-access toilet with a baby-changing station, free to use. Assistance dogs are welcome. The audio guides were written with the South Lakeland Society for the Blind so that visually impaired visitors get a full description of the panels. An access statement and a sensory map are available on the website; accessibility questions can be sent to roomhirekfm@outlook.com or phoned to 07345 386495.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

There is a baby-changing station in the all-access toilet. School visits can be booked.

Getting there & parking

Bicycles can be left in the garden at the New Road entrance or in the Stramongate car park.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Garden Cafe and Takeaway, run by an independent family business with plant-based and seasonal food, serves the Meeting House; it also has a peace garden with benches. Its current opening times are not listed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The Grade II* listed Meeting House is a popular venue for room hire by day and evening; bookings go through Kendal and Sedbergh Area Quaker Meeting (roomhirekfm@outlook.com, 07345 386495).

Plan your visit