Last Chance to Visit - The Longest Yarn 2: Britain at War

As The Longest Yarn 2: Britain at War enters its final days at Lichfield Cathedral, we find ourselves pausing to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable month.

Since the exhibition opened, more than 24,000 people have visited the Cathedral during May alone. Many came specifically to see this extraordinary knitted and crocheted installation, while others discovered it unexpectedly during a visit and found themselves deeply moved by what they encountered.

This second chapter of The Longest Yarn tells the story of Britain during the Second World War through beautifully crafted scenes, each stitch capturing moments of courage, sacrifice, resilience and everyday life. Set within the vast space of the Cathedral, the exhibition has invited quiet reflection as much as admiration for the skill involved.

A Powerful Response from Visitors

The response from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. On social media, people have described the exhibition as “incredibly moving”, “meticulously detailed”, and “far more powerful than expected”. Many have shared how long they lingered, returning again and again to different scenes, noticing new details each time.

We have been especially touched by comments from visitors who spoke about personal connections to the stories represented: family members who lived through the war, memories stirred, conversations sparked across generations. Others have shared how the exhibition offered a gentle but profound way to engage with a difficult chapter of our shared history.

For some, it was the craftsmanship that astonished. For others, it was the stillness of the Cathedral providing space to reflect. For many, it was both.

If you have been meaning to visit but have not yet made it through the doors, now is the moment. These are the final days to see The Longest Yarn 2: Britain at War at Lichfield Cathedral before it moves on.

Opening Hours this weekend:

Saturday 30 May 10:00-12:00

Sunday 31 May 12:00-14:30 & 16:30 - 18:00

Coming Next: Common Threads

While one exhibition draws to a close, another begins.

From 4 June, we will be hosting Common Threads, a month‑long display that celebrates creativity, connection and community in a different but equally meaningful way. This remarkable table runner stretches 15 metres and is made up of more than 800 individually stitched squares, each one created by a member of our community.

Every square tells its own story. Together, they form a powerful expression of shared effort, patience, and care. Much like The Longest Yarn, Common Threads is about more than textiles. It is about people coming together, taking time, and contributing something of themselves to a larger whole.

If you have already visited us to see The Longest Yarn 2, we warmly invite you to return and experience Common Threads. And if you have not yet been able to visit, we hope you will find your way through our doors soon.

As always, thank you to everyone who has supported the Cathedral by visiting, donating, sharing kind words, and being part of our story. These exhibitions remind us why this place continues to matter, not only as a historic building, but as a living space where stories, memories and creativity are held with care.

Your Cathedral is ready to welcome you.