7. Weald of Kent Craft Show

Penshurst Place and Gardens, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG

Tel: 01425 277988

www.ichf.co.uk

Explore the beautiful gardens of Kent, England’s oldest family home and the work of 250 British artists, designers and craftsmen, all at the same time in this three-for-the-price-of-one day out. One of two ICHF outdoor events – the other is the Chiltern Craft Show at Henley-on-Thames’ Stonor Park – food is much in evidence, so if you’ve a penchant for gourmet treats, pore over the mouthwatering choice of specialty food and drink – lots of fine country wines, cheeses, Mediterranean delicacies and exquisite handmade chocolates.

8. Fiveways Artist Group

Open Houses

Fiveways, Brighton

Tel: 01273 564934

www.fivewaysartists.com

If you appreciate art, and relish the opportunity to peek inside other people’s houses, this four-weekend open-house event is the ideal opportunity to satisfy your curiosity. Every May, over four weekends, 30 artists living in the Fiveways area of Brighton turn their homes into galleries to showcase their work as part of the Brighton Festival. There are no rules. Each display of artwork brims with character and individual style.

9. Crafts for Scotland

SECC, Glasgow October

Tel: 01425 277988

www.ichf.co.uk

Another giant ICHF event, this time in Scotland. Yes, it’s packed with the usual crafty offerings – bespoke clothing, jewellery, glass ornaments, ceramic sculptures to name a few – from over 150 individual designers, and you can buy everything you need to support any craft hobby. But the best part is the hands-on opportunities. Teams of expert demonstrators and exhibitors show you the ropes. There’s also an entire area devoted to cookery.

10. Spring Fling

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Tel: 01387 262084

www.artandcraftsouthwestscotland.com/springfling

If the Highland Fling is just a little bit too energetic for you, try this long weekend (three days) next May, when over 93 artists and craftmakers from the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland celebrate their passions. The doors of 64 studios are thrown open, welcoming visitors to watch them work, and hopefully buy. Studios are clustered together in easily-navigable trails (complete with café, restaurant, hotel and pub recommendations), so you can enjoy a leisurely scenic drive, with regular refreshment stops.