Name: Textile Towerhouse
Rating: 5.0

Textile Towerhouse

Tower Knowe, Hawick, Scottish Borders, TD9 9EN, Scotland

1-90 Years

Description

Borders Textile Towerhouse are you looking for an educational and fascinating family day out that dives deep into the heritage of Scotland? Discover the story of local craftsmanship at this unique museum, which stands out as one of the best things to do with kids in Hawick and across the wider Scottish Borders. Housed inside Hawick’s oldest standing building, this historic museum offers an engaging journey through generations of wool, fashion, and social history that keeps both adults and young minds captivated.

A trip here is exceptionally kind to the family budget because admission is completely free for all visitors. While there is no entry fee to explore the multi-floor galleries, the charity that runs the building welcomes voluntary donations to help keep the exhibits open and maintained for everyone.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids to combine history, design, and interactive learning, this historic site provides an excellent, scannable experience. It is a fantastic afternoon destination for curious children, budding fashion designers, and families exploring the rich traditions of British craftsmanship.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Interactive Learning: Children can get hands-on with history through touch screens, audio stations, and tactile craft areas located across the museum floors.
Heritage Architecture: The building is a meticulously restored 16th-century fortification, complete with a historic barrel-vaulted room from the days of the Border Reivers.
Creative Workshops: The venue runs a scheduled programme of educational craft workshops and seasonal drop-in sessions perfect for artistic kids.
Sensory Considered Visits: Regular dedicated morning slots provide a calm, quiet, and slower-paced environment for children with sensory sensitivities.
Local Craft Shop: A beautifully curated shop floor sells high-quality local woollens, specialized books, gifts, and unique toys.

What to See

The Hands-On Carding Station: Kids can discover exactly how raw wool gets transformed into smooth yarn before it is woven into clothing. This sensory, tactile station allows children to physically brush and feel the fibers, teaching them the physical work behind early clothing production.
The Border Reivers Video and Vault: Step inside the oldest part of the building, a 500-year-old stone tower house with a dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling and flagstone floor. A short, fast-paced educational video brings the turbulent history of medieval Scottish raiders to life in a way that feels like stepping into a real castle.
Daniel Radcliffe’s Quidditch Jumper: A massive hit for movie-loving children, the museum proudly displays the actual screen-used Gryffindor Quidditch jumper and scarf worn in the Harry Potter film franchise. Kids love learning that these famous garments were actually manufactured right here by local craftsmen.
The Tom Scott Watercolour Gallery: Once an old hotel reading room, this space displays a stunning collection of vibrant paintings by the famous local artist Tom Scott. The artworks capture sweeping local landscapes and dramatic historical scenes that bring ancient history to life visually for visual learners.
The Catwalk and Fashion Displays: Perfect for older children and teens interested in modern design, this area tracks how regional tweed and cashmere grew from humble cottage industries to dominate global high-fashion runways. The colorful, rotating costume exhibits showcase experimental designs and garment patterns that inspire young creatives.

Facilities

Toilets: Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor, with additional public toilets available on the upper exhibition levels.
Baby Changing: Dedicated baby changing facilities are built cleanly into the ground floor accessible restroom.
Buggy & Mobility Access: There is a flat, shallow access ramp with an assisted-entry button at the rear of the building, alongside full lift access connecting all three floors.
Food Options: While there is no on-site cafe, the museum is steps away from central high street eateries, bakeries, and family-friendly cafes.

Pro-Tips for Parents

Beat the Crowds: Arrive right at 10:00 on weekdays or early Saturday afternoon when foot traffic is lightest to have the interactive screens entirely to yourself.
Gentle Museum Mornings: If your child prefers a calm, low-sensory environment, plan your trip for the first Friday of the month between 10:00 and 12:00 for the dedicated Quiet Wonders hours.
School Holiday Crafts: Check the official events calendar before visiting during Easter, summer, or mid-term breaks to catch their popular "pay-what-you-can" drop-in family craft rooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the museum suitable for toddlers? Yes, the museum welcomes toddlers and provides fully accessible pram routes alongside bright textile displays. While older children will get the most out of the historical text and video elements, younger toddlers enjoy touching the different wool textures at the hands-on carding stations.
How long does a typical visit take? A standard family visit generally lasts between 1 and 2 hours. This leaves you with plenty of time to head down the street to explore the neighboring playgrounds, sprawling green pathways, and historical exhibits over at Wilton Lodge Park.
Where is the best place to park for free? The absolute best place to park is the large, free public car park on Victoria Road, matching postcode TD9 7AH. From this parking area, it is a very easy, flat 5-minute walk along the street directly to the museum’s front entrance.
Are there cheap indoor activities in Hawick for rainy days? The museum stands out as one of the finest cheap indoor activities in Hawick because it offers completely free entry for all ages. It provides a dry, warm, and highly engaging environment packed with history, games, and art to escape wet weather.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The completely free admission makes it a stress-free, budget-friendly stop for large families.
The mix of physical wool-handling stations and modern touch screens keeps younger children engaged.
Staff members are highly praised for being warm, welcoming, and passionate about local history.
The lift access to all floors makes navigating the tight, historic spaces with a stroller or buggy incredibly simple.
Seeing authentic film memorabilia like the Harry Potter garments adds an unexpected wow-factor for older kids.

What Visitors Don't Like

The venue is relatively compact, meaning a full tour rarely takes longer than 90 minutes.
There is no dedicated café or picnic area inside the building for a sit-down family lunch.
Street parking directly outside the entrance is heavily restricted and fills up incredibly quickly on weekends.

What to see

Detailed Exhibition Inventory

Historical Pattern Books: A rare collection of original design logs and fabric swatch records dating back to the early 19th century.
Archival Moving Footage: Restored film reels showcasing the early mechanics of industrial loom weaving and factory life in the Scottish Borders.
Royal Garments: Contemporary attire on display featuring specialized textiles commissioned and worn by King Charles III.
Catwalk Pop-Culture Fashion: Modern high-fashion pieces highlighting iconic tweed designs worn on global stages by stars like Taylor Swift.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Since a typical museum visit lasts around 1 to 2 hours, you can easily pair it with other excellent family stops within a short walk.
Local Points of Interest
Wilton Lodge Park: A massive 107-acre green space located just a 10-minute walk away. It features a beautifully kept walled garden, sprawling modern play areas, and a picturesque waterfall along the River Teviot.
Hawick Museum & Scott Art Gallery: The Towerhouse's sister attraction, housed inside an elegant 18th-century mansion directly within the Wilton Lodge parklands. It features deep cultural exhibits and regional fine art.
Hawick High Street: Located steps from the museum doors, offering a vibrant stretch of independent local cafes, bakeries, and traditional Scottish eateries.
Active Mill Outlets: Nearby operational clothing mills where families can watch modern textile design, weaving, and production happening in real-time.

New for 2026

The museum is currently hosting a landmark anniversary exhibition titled "Twill to Tweed – Lovat Mill: 200 Years of Tweed 1826-2026". Running throughout the year until January 2027, this special event celebrates two centuries of fabric innovation.
Historical Pattern Books: A rare collection of original design logs and fabric swatch records dating back to the early 19th century.
Archival Moving Footage: Restored film reels showcasing the early mechanics of industrial loom weaving and factory life in the Scottish Borders.
Royal Garments: Contemporary attire on display featuring specialized textiles commissioned and worn by King Charles III.
Catwalk Pop-Culture Fashion: Modern high-fashion pieces highlighting iconic tweed designs worn on global stages by stars like Taylor Swift.
Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

For parents looking to host a private family event, community workshop, or educational group gather within the historic rooms, custom functions can occasionally be arranged in the first-floor Commercial Room depending on seasonal availability. For direct private venue hire inquiries, please contact the team directly via email at [email protected].

April - October: Monday - Saturday - 10:00 - 16:00
November- March: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 16:00 (closed Tuesday & Sunday)

Address: Tower Knowe, Hawick, Scottish Borders, TD9 9EN, Scotland

Post Code: TD9 9EN

Council: Hawick

County: Scottish Borders

By Bus: Local regional bus routes stop directly at Tower Knowe on Hawick High Street, placing you right outside the front doors.
By Car: Drive directly to the town centre via the A7. There is a large, completely FREE public car park located a short, flat 5-minute walk away on Victoria Road (Postcode: TD9 7AH) or at Common Haugh.
Blue Badge Parking: Dedicated accessible parking spaces for blue badge holders are located directly across the street from the museum entrance at the Hawick Heritage Hub, which connects smoothly to the rear ramp entrance.