Event Details

The 2011 event details will be available later in the year. In the meantime you can read the 2010 details below to get an idea of the many events on offer.

Living Crafts will be celebrating its 36th Anniversary in 2010 with literally hundreds of the finest craftsmen and women from all over the British Isles taking part. Whilst specialist gift shops and galleries feature the work of a handful of local craftspeople, the Festival of Living Crafts gives you the opportunity to meet literally hundreds.

Crafts Galore

There is a wide selection of both contemporary and traditional art and craft on display, from studio ceramics, stained glass and turned wood to furniture, millinery and leather goods. There will be beautiful gold & silver, costume and fun jewellery, artists working in watercolours and oils and some stunning photography. Textiles and fashions will be represented with a splendid choice for both adults and children, as well as a marquee dedicated to food and drink, offering a selection of mouthwatering fayre.

Country crafts, such an important part of our heritage, feature strongly too with displays of green wood working, besom making, stick dressing, woodland conservation crafts and bodging. Intricate love spoons will be carved, osier and willow baskets woven and cider pressed. Other demonstrations will range from leatherworking and bee keeping to paintbrush making and chainsaw carving.

Get Organised & Get Started!

The popular ‘Art in Herts’ Pavilion will give you the opportunity to meet local art and craft enthusiasts from around the county. Their members will be demonstrating and informing and will be keen to entice new recruits! So come and find out what’s going on where you live.

Some national and regional organisations will also be taking part in Living Crafts. These include blacksmiths from The Blacksmiths Guild who will be working over their blazing forges. Members of The British Woodcarvers Association will be presenting a stunning display of work and giving carving demonstrations throughout the show. The Alban Lace makers will be presenting a special display of lace, The Hertfordshire Branch of the Embroiderers Guild will be encouraging you to find out more, the Guild of Silk Painters and the International Felt makers Association will also be taking part with some ‘hands-on’ opportunities. These and many other groups will make your day an enriching and informative experience.

Sheer Entertainment

A lively atmosphere will be created throughout the event by jazz bands and maypole dancing on Thursday and Friday. A local boys Morris Dancing group will also be performing, ensuring this very British traditional dance is being passed through the generations. Storytelling by Jane Lambourne will keep visitors of all ages captivated and additional entertainment is provided over the weekend with adult morris dancing, a brass band and Punch & Judy shows for the children. A variety of delicious refreshments will be also be available on site.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House and its beautiful West Garden are only a short walk away and admission to the famous West Garden is included in your ticket to Living Crafts. In these beautiful surroundings close to the Old Palace, childhood home to Elizabeth I, you will find the 17th Century scented garden, the herb garden and the knot garden. The adjoining wilderness areas will be at their best during Living Crafts with the masses of naturalized daffodils.

For a small charge of £3.50 you can tour historic Hatfield House, the home of the Marquess of Salisbury with its superb examples of Jacobean craftsmanship. The House and Garden will be open from 12.00 midday until 4.00pm are well worth a visit. A complimentary shuttle bus will be running between the showground and the House throughout the day. There are also more than 1000 acres of parkland with woodland trails to explore including a childrens’ adventure area. More details can found at www.hatfield-house.co.uk. These are just a selection of the fascinating things to see and do when you visit Living Crafts.

With such an enormous range of crafts and activities represented, there really is something for everyone.