The Royal School of Needlework is the international centre of excellence for the art of hand embroidery and offers a range of courses from beginners through to advanced.  Founded in 1872, the RSN is steeped in history with unrivalled expertise in the techniques of hand embroidery.

Read more about our history

We are based at the magnificent Hampton Court Palace in south west London. In addition, we teach across the UK in Bristol, Rugby, Durham and Glasgow, and internationally in North America and Japan. We teach a variety of Online Day & Evening Classes.

The Royal School of Needlework also offers Embroidery Services at its Studio in Hampton Court Palace creating beautiful bespoke commissions for the future as well as restoring historical textiles and bringing heirlooms back to life.

Public Benefit

The work of our staff and students can be seen throughout the country. We loan pieces of our historical collection for public exhibitions and our the restoration work done by our expert Embroidery Studio team can be seen by thousands of people every year at locations such as Dover Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Buckfast Abbey.

RSN Work on Display

Numerous embroideries created by the RSN are on display throughout the UK in stately homes, churches, private homes and public collections. View some of the pieces on public display.

Trustees

Our Board of Trustees is run by Chair Pip Wood. The trustees are: Victoria Farrow, Prof. Patsy Cullen, Eleri Lynn, Louisa Christofidou, Julie Richards, Keith Pickard. Prof. Dominic Tweddle, Sarah Mumford, and Dr. Paula Leftwich.

All correspondence for the Trustees should be sent for the attention of RSN CE Dr Susan Kay-Williams:

[email protected] T: +44(0)20 3166 6932

Annual Report

Download our latest annual report.