Arts & Crafts Events

You will find an array of arts and crafts activities in North Devon. The West Country is known for its creativity and with the beautiful scenery offering up inspiration at every turn it is no surprise that there is an abundance of artists in this part of the world.

Art events

From art exhibitions to workshops, there are loads of art themed events going on around North Devon, so whether you want to go to an exhibition and view some of the local art or you want to have a go yourself you’ll find plenty to do here.

There are a number of galleries in the area, one example is White Moose gallery, a contemporary art gallery in the old ceramic quarter in Barnstaple. It presents work by both new and established artists through a varied and high-quality programme of innovative exhibitions. While Echo Beach in Ilfracombe has quickly become a focal creative hub for both established and emerging local artists, ceramicists, sculptors and photographers.

To really immerse yourself in art during your visit, stay at or drop into the Broomhill Art Hotel near Barnstaple. The hotel lies in one of the most glorious valleys, surrounded by hundreds of acres of woodland and bound by its own stream. Established in 1997 by Dutch couple Rinus and Aniet van de Sande, over the years it has organically grown into one of the largest permanent collections of contemporary sculpture in the south west of England.

Craft events

If you like supporting local artists by picking up a few handmade gifts, look out for craft fairs in many of North Devon’s villages and towns. You’ll be amazed what you’ll find from homemade soaps and hand creams, to crochet to delicious food and drink.

There are also plenty of opportunities to get involved in workshops to make your own crafts, during the winter you can find wreath making workshops and opportunities to create your own Christmas decorations, while at Halloween there are pumpkin carving sessions and in the spring, the chance to make your own wicker baskets and decorate your own eggs.

Whether you want to learn a new skill or refine existing ones, you’ll find workshops in just about everything from glasswork, metal work, wood carving and more in studios and event spaces all over the region.

Festivals and concerts

North Devon is home to several performance venues which regularly host festivals and concerts that cover a wide range of arts, from literature festivals, like the internationally known book fest in Appledore to music festivals, like the ones held in Croyde.