The Museum welcomes groups to visit the current exhibition and encourages people of all ages to come and learn with us. In place of a permanent display, the Museum hosts a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions, displaying a broad range of innovative fashion and textiles from designers and makers around the world. Discover what’s on at the time of your proposed visit.
What do I need to book?
The first step in organising your group visit is to get in touch and let us know the following:
- The name and contact details of the person organising the visit
- The name of your school, college, university, institution or group
- The preferred date and time of your visit
- The size of your group
- Any accessibility requirements
Once we have received your email, a team member will be in touch to discuss your booking in more detail.
Group sizes
Due to the nature of our space, we welcome groups of up to 20 at a time during our opening hours. Groups larger than 20 are permitted but will be split into smaller groups and asked to enter at staggered 30-minute intervals, availability permitting. Larger groups are permitted 9-11am Tuesday – Saturday and 9am-5pm on Mondays.
Opening times and admissions
The Fashion and Textile Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11.00 – 18.00. We welcome groups to book throughout the day, with last entry at 17.15. Admission costs can be found here and for schools and colleges, we offer free entry for the group leader.
Payment information
Please note that to secure your visit, payment must be made in advance of your intended visit date. Your visit time and date are not reserved until payment is made. Failure to secure your visit may result in your desired date and time becoming unavailable.
Know before you go
Refer to our Plan your Visit page for information about our facilities, accessibility and how to get to the museum.
We request that school and college supervisors monitor members of their groups throughout their visit, ensuring that noise is kept to a minimum, display items are not touched, no food or drink is consumed in the gallery spaces and no power outlets are used.
If you wish to visit the Museum prior to your visit, in order to conduct a risk assessment, please get in touch to arrange this.
Group Tours and Workshops
In order to take full advantage of the materials and expertise held by the Fashion and Textile Museum, you may wish to consider adding a workshop or tour to your group visit:
Exhibition Highlights Tour
Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the current exhibition with a member of the Museum team. These tours are an excellent way to learn more about the pieces on display as well as the themes and subjects covered in the exhibition.
Age range- This tour can be adapted to suit all ages – please indicate your preference at point of booking.
Pricing- £80 for up to 20 persons Exhibition entry not included.
Exhibition Curator Tour
Join a member of the exhibitions team for a 45 minute, in depth guided tour of the current exhibition. The team will share their many years of experience as they take a closer look at some of the pieces on display as well as discussing the process behind the conception and curation of the exhibition.
Age range This tour can be adapted to suit all adults – please indicate your preference at point of booking.
Pricing
Assistant Curator- £250 for up to 20 persons Exhibition entry not included.
Head of Exhibitions- £500 for up to 20 persons Exhibition entry not included.
Primary School Highlights Tour
Join a member of the museum team for a fun 30-minute, guided tour of the current exhibition. The tour will focus on some of the key themes and ideas featured in the exhibition as well as discussing the key principals of museums and galleries. Little hand will be given magnifying glasses to explore the space along with a gallery-based activity sheet. For further information on the available resources please contact a member of the team at fashiontextilemuseum@newham.ac.uk
Age range: suitable for primary aged pupils, please indicate the age of participants at point of booking.
Duration: 30 mins
Pricing: £60 for up to 15 persons Exhibition entry not included.
Fashion Collection Workshop 7-12 yrs
Taking inspiration from the current exhibition, students will work with one of our experienced fashion and textile designers, to design their own colourful collection. Participants will create themed mood boards from a selection of exhibition images and use croquis to illustrate their own final collection. Young designers will develop their fashion creativity and understanding of how designers work in the industry. This workshop lasts for 1.5 hours, all materials are included, advanced booking is essential and subject to availability.
Age range: this workshop is suitable for students aged 7 – 13, please indicate the age of participants at point of booking.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Pricing: £300 for up to 20 persons Exhibition entry not included.
Fashion Drawing Workshop 7-12 yrs
This popular drawing workshop is led by experienced fashion and textile designer, Suki Bourne. Taking inspiration from a garment in the Museum collection, students will learn how to create their own fashion illustrations using croquis, under the expert guidance of tutor Suki. This workshop lasts 1 hour, all materials are included, advanced booking is essential and subject to availability. Exhibition entry not included.
Age range: This workshop is suitable for ages 7-12, please indicate the ages of participants at point of booking.
Duration: 1 hour
Pricing: £200 for up to 20 persons Exhibition entry not included.
Fashion Collection Workshop 13 yrs+
Take the opportunity to learn fashion drawing and design skills from experienced freelance designer Jane Parker. In this 2-hour drawing class participants will explore fashion drawing using simple but effective techniques utilising croquis enabling young designers to articulate their design ideas on paper. Participants will then design a collection influenced by a theme taken from one of the museums previous exhibitions developing their ideas under the guidance of the tutor. The session includes information on current trends and examples of various fashion drawing styles along with a list of available resources and examples for participants to take away. All materials will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own sketchbooks and drawing media if they wish.
Age range: This workshop is suitable for ages 13-18, please indicate the ages of participants at point of booking.
Duration: 2 hours
Pricing: 350 for up to £20 persons Exhibition entry not included.
Couture Inside Out Handling Session
Led by a member of the exhibitions team, this 1.5 hour workshop provides a fantastic opportunity to view the ins and outs of couture design. Participants will have the opportunity to examine garments in detail, allowing detailed study of fabrics and construction of garments from Dior, Chanel and Balenciaga, which are part of the Museum’s permanent collection. Entry to the current exhibition is included, advanced booking is essential and subject to availability.
Age range: This workshop is suitable for ages 16+
Pricing: £600 for up to 15 persons.
Contact us at fashiontextilemuseum@newham.ac.uk to book.