Tapestry Conservation Intern

Historic Royal Palaces; Molesey; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 13,000; Full time

Job summary

Historic Royal Palaces seeks a textile conservation intern to gain hands-on experience in tapestry conservation within the Textile Conservation Studio at Hampton Court Palace. The placement covers practical treatments, condition assessments, display support, and documentation, under supervision by the conservation team.

The 12-month internship offers mentoring, professional development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across HRP’s conservation disciplines to deepen expertise in historic

Qualifications

• Qualification or equivalent experience in textile conservation.
• Strong attention to detail and careful record-keeping.
• Willingness to learn and work within a team.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to hands-on tapestry conservation treatments.
• Perform condition assessments and documentation.
• Assist with display, installation, and ongoing care of textiles.
• Collaborate with HRP conservation colleagues across disciplines.

Skills

Digital documentation

Attention to detail

Education

Textile conservation qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

The internship

This long-standing conservation internship programme is offered by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) and based in the Textile Conservation Studio at Hampton Court Palace. This unique and generously funded opportunity is open to recent textile conservation graduates who are keen to build on their knowledge and practical skills in the specialised field of tapestry conservation. The internship is designed to provide emerging conservators with structured, hands-on experience, professional mentoring, and access to a wide range of professional development opportunities across HRP's broader conservation team and disciplines. This year, the programme will also include a structured short-term placement outside HRP, providing an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into alternative conservation practice settings, broaden professional experience, and deepen understanding of tapestry conservation within the wider heritage sector. The intern will be supported by HRP's Tapestry Conservation Team Supervisor and the Treatment Conservation Manager, who oversees the programme. Together, they will provide structured mentoring, regular feedback, and professional guidance to support the intern's development of technical skills, reflective practice, and professional competencies in line with Icon’s Professional Standards.

The role

The Intern will develop practical experience in the conservation and care of historic tapestries through an individual tapestry project, while also contributing to a range of team projects. Working alongside experienced specialists in HRP's long-established Textile Conservation Studio, the Intern will build a broad understanding of tapestry conservation, treatment methodologies, and collection care. Over the course of the 12-month placement, the Intern will focus primarily on hands-on tapestry conservation treatments, while also carrying out condition assessments, assisting with the display and installation of tapestries and historic furnishings, and contributing to the ongoing care, documentation, and management of these collections. As part of HRP's wider multidisciplinary Conservation Department, the Intern will have regular opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across different conservation specialisms. The placement will provide insight into preventive conservation practices, conservation science research related to historic tapestries, condition auditing and documentation processes, and the use of collections management databases.

About You

You will have a passion for textile conservation and heritage, together with a recognised textile conservation qualification or equivalent experience. You will have a particular interest in historic tapestry conservation and be keen to develop your skills and expertise within this specialist field. You will be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to work both independently and as part of a busy team. You will be proactive and enthusiastic about learning, with a commitment to developing your professional knowledge and skills. You will also be comfortable working at height and enjoy engaging with a wide range of people, including colleagues, visitors, and other stakeholders, sharing your enthusiasm for conservation and heritage. Strong digital documentation skills are essential, as is the ability to maintain clear, accurate, and detailed records of conservation work. While not essential, experience of caring for historic tapestries within historic houses or other heritage settings would be advantageous.

Closing date:

23:55, 27 September 2026

The internship will commence in November 2026, with interviews scheduled for 12-13 October 2026 at Hampton Court Palace. Candidates will be required to present an electronic portfolio prior to their attendance to the interview, once shortlisting has taken place.

Please be advised that Historic Royal Palaces is unable to provide sponsorship for the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role, as it does not meet the required eligibility criteria for this immigration route.

This long-standing conservation internship programme has been made possible through the generous support of The Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust and the Lord Barnby's Foundation, together with a new grant administered by the Institute of Conservation (Icon) through the Collaborative Conservation Skills Internship Programme. This programme is funded by a consortium of seven heritage funders: The Anna Plowden Trust, Idlewild Trust, Julia Rausing Trust, National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, Pilgrim Trust, The Radcliffe Trust, and the Swire Charitable Trust. The Collaborative Conservation Skills Internship Programme is a sector-wide initiative that addresses conservation skills shortages and supports the development of the next generation of conservation professionals. We are extremely grateful to all our supporters.