events

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of arts and crafts with the North Devon Handmade Collective, where creativity flourishes and local artisans unite. Our events are designed to celebrate and showcase the incredible talent of North Devon artisans while providing opportunities for hands-on learning and talent discovery.

craft fayres

Our craft markets bring together a diverse selection of talented artists and crafters from across North Devon, offering a unique shopping experience filled with high-quality handmade products.

Join us for a vibrant and welcoming marketplace where creativity flourishes, and visitors can connect directly with local makers.

craft events

Our craft events offer more than just a marketplace—they provide hands-on experiences for visitors to learn new skills directly from the talented artists and crafters exhibiting.

Whether you're a maker looking to share your skills or a visitor eager to try something new, our craft events promise an inspiring and engaging experience.

agricultural shows

At major agricultural shows, the North Devon Handmade Collective hosts up to 16 artists and crafters inside a spacious marquee, providing a beautifully curated showcase of handmade goods.

Visitors can browse a carefully arranged selection of high-quality handmade products, all in one convenient location.

pictures from our recent events

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planned events

Braunton Contemporary Craft Market - Summer 2026

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A vibrant celebration of handmade craft in the heart of North Devon.

Held outside the Braunton Countryside Centre and the Museum of British Surfing, the Braunton Contemporary Craft Market has become a much-loved fixture of Braunton summers — bringing together talented makers, local visitors, and holidaymakers in a relaxed outdoor setting.

Running from 10am – 4pm every Wednesday and selected Saturdays from 24 June 2026, the market showcases a carefully curated selection of contemporary handmade craft, art, design, jewellery, textiles, ceramics, homewares, and more.

Every stall supports the local community, with donations from trader fees made directly to both the Countryside Centre and Surf Museum.

Applications Now Open for 2026

The market is currently inviting applications from skilled contemporary makers for the 2026 season.

To maintain the quality and integrity of the market, all applicants must:

Sell work that is genuinely handmade by them
Provide their own gazebo and display equipment
Hold valid public liability insurance

Whether you are an established maker or an emerging creative business, we welcome applications from artisans producing original, high-quality handmade work.

Why Exhibit?

Established and well-attended summer market
Prime Braunton village location
Friendly, supportive atmosphere
Strong tourist and local footfall throughout the season
Opportunity to support two valued local charities and heritage organisations
Come and discover some of the South West’s finest independent makers this summer in Braunton.

Applications for the 2026 season are now open, apply below!

APPLY HERE FOR BRAUNTON CONTEMPORARY CRAFT MARKET

Arlington Court Summer Craft Fair 2027

We are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the Arlington Court Summer Craft Fair, taking place at the stunning National Trust estate of Arlington Court:

📍 Arlington Court, North Devon
🗓 Friday 11th – Sunday 13th June 2027

This three-day event celebrates the very best of North Devon’s creative community, bringing together talented local artisans, makers and craftspeople in a beautiful heritage setting.

Exhibitor Applications

We are currently seeking local artisans and makers with their own commercial gazebo and appropriate weights to take part in this popular summer event.

This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your work to a high-volume audience of visitors in one of North Devon’s most iconic venues.

Pitch Information

• 3m x 3m outdoor gazebo pitch (3-day event)
• £75 per pitch for the full weekend

Important Information for Returning Traders

If you traded at the Devon Day Craft Fair this month, please do not submit a new application. You will be contacted directly with a booking link including a returning crafter loyalty discount.

Indoor Pitch Availability

At present, we are only offering outdoor gazebo pitches.

However, we are actively exploring options for a limited number of indoor table spaces. These cannot currently be booked. If you are interested in an indoor space, please complete the application form and indicate your preference. We will be in touch once arrangements are confirmed.

Apply Early – Limited Spaces Available

This is a highly popular event, and we anticipate another full sell-out. We strongly encourage early applications to avoid disappointment.Be part of a vibrant celebration of handmade excellence in one of North Devon’s most beautiful heritage locations.

APPLY HERE

past events

Devon Day Craft Fayre at National Trust Arlington Court

The Devon Day Craft Fair concluded as a strong overall success, delivering a vibrant three-day celebration of North Devon’s creative community at Arlington Court, in partnership with North Devon Handmade Collective.

Friday and Sunday were both highly successful trading days, with strong visitor numbers, excellent engagement, and a positive atmosphere throughout. Traders reported strong sales, meaningful customer interaction, and an enthusiastic response from visitors exploring the wide range of handmade goods on offer.

Saturday, however, presented significant challenges due to severe weather conditions. Gale force winds impacted the site, and a decision was taken in the interests of safety to fully take down all gazebos. This was a necessary precaution to ensure the safety of traders, visitors, and infrastructure.

Throughout this process, National Trust staff at Arlington Court and members of the North Devon Handmade Collective worked tirelessly together to support exhibitors. Their coordinated efforts ensured that all gazebos, stock, and equipment were safely taken down on Saturday and securely stored. On Sunday morning, the same collaborative effort enabled all structures to be carefully re-erected, allowing trading to resume as normal.

Despite the disruption on Saturday, the resilience and cooperation of traders was exceptional. Many exhibitors assisted one another, demonstrating a strong sense of community spirit that helped minimise disruption and maintain morale throughout the weekend.

By Sunday, conditions had improved significantly, allowing the event to return to full strength. Footfall increased, trading conditions were favourable, and the final day delivered a strong and positive conclusion to the event. Many Sunday traders also sent warm congratulatory messages, reflecting their appreciation of both the organisation of the event and the successful recovery following Saturday’s disruption.

Overall, the Devon Day Craft Fair was a clear success. Despite the weather-related challenges, the event demonstrated the strength of partnership between Arlington Court and North Devon Handmade Collective, the resilience of the trader community, and the strong public appetite for high-quality artisan events in North Devon.

NORTH DEVON SPRINGFEST 2026

This years event built on the momentum of the previous year’s success, which had attracted over 5,000 visitors and even gained television coverage. The North Devon Handmade Collective returned as the exclusive hosts of the Arts & Crafts section, curating a dedicated space within Barnstaple Pannier Market that celebrated 100% hand-produced work from local makers.

Set against the lively backdrop of live music and local food, the curated area became a vibrant hub of creativity, featuring a diverse range of artisans and crafters. The focus on a spring-inspired theme, fresh, floral, and full of colour, was clearly reflected across both product ranges and stall presentations, creating a cohesive and engaging experience for visitors.

Makers were offered flexible and generous display options, with table packages designed to help their work stand out. The accessible pricing and strong footfall made the opportunity particularly appealing, contributing to a fully subscribed event.

Destash

Our First Craft De-Stash was a Roaring Success!

On Saturday, 28th February, the North Devon Handmade Collective hosted our very first Craft De-Stash event, and what a fantastic day it was!

Seamlessly blended into the vibrant Saturday bustle of the Barnstaple Pannier Market, the event saw over 20 local crafters clearing out their studios and turning surplus supplies into new inspiration for others. From mountains of yarn and fabric scraps to beads, buttons, and unfinished projects, there was a treasure for everyone.

Highlights of the Day:

High Footfall: The market was buzzing from start to finish, with a massive turnout of eager crafters and bargain hunters.
Warm Welcome: We were delighted to be so warmly welcomed by the established market traders, creating a brilliant, collaborative atmosphere across the entire venue.
Community Spirit: With tables priced at just £4, it was an accessible way for makers to connect, declutter, and earn a little extra for their next projects.

It was a great day all round, proving that one maker’s surplus is truly another’s treasure. A huge thank you to everyone who booked a table, the shoppers who came to browse, and the Pannier Market team for hosting us.

Lampard Community School

The Lampard School Christmas Fair offers a wonderful opportunity for local makers to showcase their work without needing to attend in person. All displays will be professionally managed and manned by NDHC staff, ensuring each space is beautifully presented and supervised throughout the event. This festive fair is open to both the school community and the general public, creating a friendly, inclusive atmosphere for visitors to browse and buy handmade gifts. We will be making a donatuon to Lampard School, helping to raise valuable funds while celebrating local creativity.

North Devon Show - Wednesday 6th August 2025

A Fantastic Debut for NDHC at the North Devon Show!

What an incredible day! The North Devon Handmade Collective (NDHC) made its premiere at the North Devon Show, and our dedicated marquee was absolutely buzzing with creativity and community spirit.

Featuring over 40 talented local crafters, the NDHC marquee offered visitors an immersive handmade retail experience — every item on display was original, handmade, and crafted right here in North Devon, proudly showcasing the region’s amazing talent and tradition of quality.

Our professionally managed display spaces were beautifully curated by the NDHC display team, bringing together each maker’s work into cohesive and inspiring collections. The result? A stunning showcase of creativity that drew hundreds of visitors throughout the day!

A heartfelt thank you to all our makers, supporters, and everyone who stopped by to celebrate North Devon’s handmade community. You helped make our first appearance at the North Devon Show a huge success — and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!

North Devon Arts Fest - Sunday 27th July 2025

A Creative Triumph at North Devon Arts Fest!

What an incredible celebration of local talent! The North Devon Handmade Collective (NDHC) was proud to exclusively provide all arts and crafts content at this year’s North Devon Arts Fest, transforming the historic Barnstaple Pannier Market into a vibrant hub of creativity, colour, and craftsmanship.

The event brought together a fantastic mix of self-managed and NDHC-managed exhibitors, filling the market with stunning handmade work — from art and ceramics to textiles, jewellery, and beyond.

Our self-managed makers showcased their creations across the bustling centre aisle, while our professionally curated managed displays offered a premium visitor experience, blending each maker’s work into beautiful, cohesive collections. The result was a seamless, inspiring showcase that truly celebrated North Devon’s creative spirit.

Every space sold out well in advance, and the feedback from both exhibitors and visitors was overwhelmingly positive — a real testament to the growing strength and unity of our local handmade community!

Devon Day Craft Fayre - National Trust Arlington Court

A Wonderful Celebration of Devon Crafting at Arlington Court!

What an incredible week it was! The Devon Day Craft Fair at Arlington Court, held from 4–8 June 2025, was a huge success — a true celebration of North Devon’s creativity, talent, and community spirit.

Kicking off on Wednesday 4 June — Devon Day itself — the event brought together an inspiring mix of local artists, makers, and producers, all showcasing the very best of handmade Devon craftsmanship. Set against the stunning backdrop of Arlington Court, visitors enjoyed discovering unique, high-quality creations while supporting local talent.

Our curated displays, each set within 90cm x 90cm spaces, looked beautiful throughout the five-day fair. Every piece reflected the care, skill, and imagination of the makers involved, and the feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike was overwhelmingly positive.

With strong sales, fantastic engagement, and a wonderful atmosphere from start to finish, the Devon Day Craft Fair truly captured the spirit of what makes North Devon’s creative community so special.

A heartfelt thank you to all our exhibitors, supporters, and visitors who made this event such a memorable success — we can’t wait to return next year!

North Devon Springfest

A Spotlight Moment at Barnstaple Pannier Market!

We were thrilled to take part in one of North Devon’s biggest events of the year at the Barnstaple Pannier Market — and what an incredible day it was!

Representing 20 talented local artisans, the North Devon Handmade Collective brought a vibrant and diverse display of handmade goods to this iconic market. From beautiful ceramics and textiles to original artwork, skincare, and more, our stall was bursting with creativity and craft.

Event Highlights:

20 local makers showcased
Thousands of handmade items sold
Over 5,000 visitors attended the event, according to market management
And yes — we were featured on TV!

The exposure, atmosphere, and enthusiastic support from shoppers made this a landmark moment for our collective. It was an honour to stand alongside so many other local creatives and be part of a historic venue buzzing with energy.

A huge thank you to everyone who visited, shopped, and cheered us on — and to the Barnstaple Pannier Market team for hosting such a fantastic event.

We’re already looking forward to the next one!