Arts and crafts festival Living Crafts celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special event at Hatfield Park this year.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Living Crafts is celebrating 50 years of creativity.Living Crafts is celebrating 50 years of creativity. (Image: Living Crafts)

The annual crafts extravaganza will return to the grounds of Hatfield House from Thursday, May 9 to Sunday, May 12 for four days of demonstrations, have-a-go workshops, artisan food, drinks and live entertainment.

Living Crafts is the must-attend event for anyone who loves outstanding British design, craft and creativity.

Open daily from 10am to 5pm, visitors to the Hertfordshire stately home will be treated to a wealth of wonderful shopping opportunities as a host of talented designer-makers showcase their unique British craft.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Enjoy ceramics at Living CraftsEnjoy ceramics at Living Crafts (Image: Living Crafts)

Living Crafts' special showcase pavilion ‘Fifty Fabulous Years’ will mark this magnificent milestone and visitors can expect a vibrant 1970s festival atmosphere with live entertainment.

Organiser Robin Younger said: "If you’re a fan of creative crafts you’ll love this show! We have been championing niche British craft skills for fifty years, valuing originality, excellence in design, provenance and sustainability.

"Our reputation for quality is testament to the careful selection of our amazingly talented designer-makers.

"We are thrilled to be celebrating our 50th anniversary this year and have launched a new four-day festival pass so visitors can make the most of this special show!"

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Living Crafts takes place in Hatfield Park in May.Living Crafts takes place in Hatfield Park in May. (Image: Living Crafts Events Ltd)

With its unique blend of contemporary skills, innovation, design and traditional heritage crafts, Living Crafts is all about creative processes in action.

You’ll be surrounded by spectacular glassblowing, hand throwing in clay, stone carving, metalwork and so much more.

Discover the beauty of craftsmanship through a series of demonstrations and get creative in one of the hands-on craft workshops.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Living Crafts takes place in Hatfield Park from May 9 to May 12.Living Crafts takes place in Hatfield Park from May 9 to May 12. (Image: Living Crafts Events Ltd)

It is the perfect opportunity to buy unique work while shopping small and supporting creative businesses and independent artisans.

Enjoy meeting the makers, hearing their stories and even commissioning a special personal piece.

Show highlights include The Art Centre, Masterclass Pavilion and Living History Village including demonstrations of jewellery making, longbow making, leather carving and ceramics. Not forgetting the ever-popular Food and Drink Pavilion featuring delicious artisan fayre.

Visitors can choose from dozens of fun and creative workshops and learn from friendly experts how to make their own masterpiece — everything from silversmithing, silk painting and stone carving to enamelling, clay sculpture and watercolour painting.

Tickets include admission to the famous gardens surrounding Hatfield House.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Hatfield HouseHatfield House (Image: Living Crafts)

The Old Palace, childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I, is also open for a small supplementary charge.

With live entertainment, festival food and plenty of places to sit and relax, Living Crafts is an inspiring day out for all the family.

Visitors can save money by booking in advance.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Living CraftsLiving Crafts (Image: Image courtesy of Living Crafts Events Ltd)


Workshops

Further information about the craft workshops at https://www.livingcrafts.co.uk/lc/workshops

Advance tickets

Save money by booking in advance at https://www.livingcrafts.co.uk/lc/tickets


Welwyn Hatfield Times: Living Crafts.Living Crafts. (Image: Living Crafts Events Ltd)

Living Crafts Admission

Advance
Adult £12, Senior £10, Child £6.

On the day
Adult £14, Senior £12, Child £8.

Advance four-day Festival Pass

Adult £20, Senior £18, Child N/A.

On the day four day Festival Pass

Adult £24, Senior £20, Child N/A.

Entry to Living Crafts includes access to the gardens and extensive parkland of Hatfield House.