Stonyhurst College Museum

Founded in 1593, Stonyhurst College attracts visitors from far and wide. Its breath-taking grounds and magical interior make it the perfect location for taking a step back in time. Interestingly, the independent school even served as a place of literary inspiration for the author J.R.R. Tolkien. Stonyhurst Museum is back open! Since reopening after the pandemic, there are new exhibitions featuring religious and historically monumental artefacts, that helped to make the religions what they are today.

One exhibition – “Hot, Holy Ladies,” focuses on the strongminded, female supporters of the Jesuit Catholic mission, where on display is a myriad of smuggled artefacts, including some of the finest embroidered robes that priests have ever worn, a true artistic display of faith, one which often found people facing death! “To see the works of these marvellous women up close is rather special and it’s easier to appreciate the talent and embroidery of the Chasuble” explains Dr Jan Graffius, the curator of the Stonyhurst Collections. She enthusiastically encourages people to book (after all it is a working school) a tour on which you will be guided round the impressive and effective life’s work of Helena Wintour, creator of The Wintour Vestments.

Religious relics are not the only items on display either, tours pass displays of natural history, human history and past pupils making their mark on the world as scientists, archaeologists, civil servants, and many other professions.

www.stonyhurst.ac.uk