Event Details

Living Crafts will be celebrating its 38th Anniversary in 2012 with literally hundreds of the finest designer-makers. 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.

A Celebration of Crafts

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, trugs and hurdles will be made and cider pressed. Other demonstrations will range from leatherworking and bee keeping to paintbrush making and chainsaw carving.

Craft & Design Month - May 2012

May 2012 has been designated Craft & Design month! This is a national celebration across the UK, launched with the specific aim of promoting all aspects of the UK craft industry and Living Crafts is delighted to be taking part in the initiative. The show will be featuring a special marquee to pay tribute to some of the cornerstones of our country's craft heritage with some great working demonstrations.

Get Organised & Get Started!

The popular ‘Art in Herts’ Marquee 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 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 with the yarnsmith Dave Tong will keep visitors of all ages captivated and additional entertainment is provided over the weekend with a brass band and adult country dancing. A variety of delicious refreshments will be also be available on site.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is only a short walk away through the beautiful parkland and celebrated the 400th Anniversary of its completion last year. There you will find the Old Palace, childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I, the Coach House Restaurant and the newly refurbished Stables Courtyard with its myriad of eclectic shops to explore. Admission to Living Crafts also includes access to the renowned West Garden where you will also find the 17th Century scented garden, the herb garden and the knot garden. The wilderness garden will be at its best during Living Crafts with carpets of naturalised daffodils.

For a small charge you can tour historic Hatfield House, the home of the Marquess of Salisbury with its superb examples of Jacobean craftsmanship.

Lawn Farm, a traditional breeds farm with plenty of interesting and unusual animals and include tractor ride tours and the Bloody Hollow adventure park with its scale model of Hatfield House were recently opened. These are near to the House and are open for a small concessionary charge on production of your Living Crafts ticket.

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. More details can found on the Hatfield House website. These are just a selection of the additional things to see and do when you visit Living Crafts.

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