27/03/2025
Antiquaries of
London and Heritage Crafts
Announce Basket Maker Sarah Le
Breton as 2025 Maker in Residence
at Kelmscott Manor.
The Society of Antiquaries of London, in
partnership with Heritage Crafts, is thrilled to
introduce basket maker Sarah Le Breton as
the Maker in Residence for 2025 at Kelmscott
Manor. This historic residence, once the
cherished home of acclaimed writer,
designer-craftsman, conservationist, and
revolutionary socialist William Morris, will be
the backdrop for Sarah’s residency between April and October.
This year sees the third of three residencies at Kelmscott Manor for members of Heritage Crafts,
with a particular focus for 2025 on rural crafts. The project presents an opportunity to showcase
such crafts in an iconic rural setting visited annually by over 26,000 people. During her residency
Sarah will be focusing on the crafts of basket making and chair-seat-making.
Natasha McEnroe, FSA General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer
of the Society of Antiquaries, said:
“The Society of Antiquaries is delighted to welcome Sarah Le Breton as this year’s Maker in
Residence at Kelmscott Manor. Her work combines beauty with practicality and a use of
traditional crafts in a way that I am sure William Morris and his circle would recognise and
appreciate. I am looking forward to seeing how Kelmscott will shape and influence Sarah’s
creativity, for the benefit of all of our visitors.
Sarah’s appointment as the 2025 Maker in Residence at Kelmscott brings with it the unique
opportunity to reflect Morris’s advocacy of heritage and the handmade, and contribute to his legacy
by playing a distinctive part in the Manor’s programme of public engagement. Visitors will be able to
discover the crafts of basket making and chair-seat-making through hands-on workshops and
demonstrations led by Sarah throughout her residency. Sarah will also share her skills with education
groups as part of the Manor’s Learning & Outreach programme.
Sarah Le Breton, 2025 Maker in Residence, said:
“To be showcasing the rural craft of basketry as this year’s Maker in Residence is a dream
come true. The values, beliefs and creative power of William Morris have long been
interwoven in my life and are held within all that I design, create, make and teach. I look
forward to this incredible opportunity of engaging with and responding to the Manor,
gardens and its visitors as well as supporting in widening the learning programme. I’m also
very excited to be able to forge new work in this special place that will not only honour my
heritage craft form, but that I hope will innovate and inspire.”
Daniel Carpenter, Heritage Crafts Executive Director, said:
“Morris believed in the enduring relevance of crafts that had been passed down through the
generations, as well as the necessity of their continual evolution in order to secure their place
within an ever-changing society. We are delighted to be working with the Society of
Antiquaries for a third year, focusing on rural crafts. The idea of the rural as a respite from
the urban, and the necessity of both in making hand craft economically viable, was one of a
number of unresolved themes of Morris’ life, and we look forward to seeing how Sarah’s
residency can reflect what ‘rural’ means to us in the 21st century.”
Sarah’s appointment as the Maker in Residence is made possible as part of the NHLF-funded £6
million ‘Kelmscott and Morris: Past, Present and Future’ project.
Maker bio
Inspired by heritage baskets, Sarah le Breton celebrates the craft form that she loves by making
beautiful, practical and innovative baskets. Her aim is to showcase traditional techniques and
highlight the beauty of natural materials, in so doing creating baskets, lighting features and chair
seating that are perfect for modern living.
Whilst developing as a basket maker, Sarah actively sought out training from those grounded in
apprentice-led, commercial basket making. This has including training with a fourth-generation
maker on her local Somerset Levels. Through specifically developing work that encompasses this
approach, it is Sarah’s aim to facilitate a living wage for UK basket makers, enabling highly-skilled
knowledge of the craft to reach future generations.
About Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is Britain’s oldest learned society concerned with the study of
the material remains of the past. Founded in 1707, our Royal Charter of 1751 defines our objectives
as ‘the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of antiquities
and history of this and other countries’. We deliver our charitable objectives through activities at
two sites - Burlington House, London and Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire. Kelmscott Manor is an
internationally important site with an assemblage of 17th – 19th century listed buildings. The house
contains an exceptional collection of historic furnishings and works of art, many designed or created
by William Morris (1834-96), members of his family and their creative associates.
For more information visit sal.org.uk.
Kelmscott Manor Information
Kelmscott Manor is open to the public from 3rd April- 25th October.
Opening times:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday – 10.30am to 5.00pm, last entry to Manor house 4pm
Pre-booking online is advisable, bookings are now being taken.
A ticket is required for the house, entry to the grounds is free
Facilities:
Toilets, Licensed Tearoom, Gift Shop, Learning Barn with family activities
Accessibility:
The Manor house has step free access to the ground floor rooms only, all other buildings have step
free access. Accessible toilet available.
Kelmscott Manor
Kelmscott
Lechlade
GL7 3HJ
01367 252486 | [email protected] | kelmscottma
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