The Longest Yarn® 2 – Britain at War
Running between Mon 2nd Nov 2026 - Thu 12th Nov 2026
The Longest Yarn® 2 – Britain at War is an 80-metre handcrafted exhibition that tells the story of life in Britain during the Second World War through knitting and crochet.
Created by talented makers from across the UK and beyond, the exhibition explores the courage, resilience and ingenuity of those on the Home Front and in the Armed Forces between 1939 and 1945. Through beautifully crafted scenes, visitors will discover stories of evacuation, rationing, the Women’s Services, the Blitz, Dig for Victory, factory workers, the Battle of the Atlantic, the Home Guard, VE Day and much more.
Featuring thousands of individually crafted figures and detailed scenes, the exhibition combines historical accuracy with remarkable textile artistry to bring wartime Britain vividly to life. Visitors will also discover a number of unique personal artefacts incorporated into the displays, including wool from Piper Bill Millin’s favourite jumper and his actual practice bagpipe bladder, donated by his son, John Millin, one of The Longest Yarn UK’s charity trustees.
Following the success of the original D-Day exhibition, seen by over 500,000 visitors in the UK, Ireland, the United States and France, Britain at War continues the story by focusing on the people whose determination and sacrifice sustained Britain throughout the war years.
About the Designer
Tansy Forster is the founder and designer of The Longest Yarn® exhibitions.
Originally from Northern Ireland and now living in Normandy, France, Tansy created The Longest Yarn® as a unique way of preserving and sharing the stories of the Second World War. Inspired by family wartime service and years spent welcoming veterans to Normandy, she brought together hundreds of knitters and crocheters to create large-scale textile exhibitions that educate, inspire and commemorate.
The Longest Yarn® has grown into an international project involving contributors from around the world. Today, the original D-Day exhibition has its permanent home in Normandy, while The Longest Yarn® 2 – Britain at War tours the United Kingdom, ensuring that the stories of the wartime generation continue to be remembered by future generations.
Exhibition Features
- Over 80 metres of handcrafted wartime scenes.
- Thousands of knitted and crocheted figures.
- Eight life-size wartime characters.
- Wool from Piper Bill Millin’s favourite jumper incorporated into the exhibition.
- Piper Bill Millin’s original practice bagpipe bladder, donated by his son John Millin, incorporated into the life-size Piper Millin figure.
- Created by hundreds of volunteer knitters and crocheters.
- Designed to educate, commemorate and inspire future generations