More than 100 artisan makers will be showcasing their wares at the Welbeck Winter Weekend, the popular Christmas event held on the ducal estate.
Wonderful handmade art and food from across the region will be celebrated at the three-day event on 24th to 26th November, taking place in the newly landscaped Courtyard, Harley Gallery, Welbeck Farm Shop, Harley Studios and the Victorian Kitchen Gardens.
The Harley Gallery — home to its own award-winning shop — has carefully curated a selection of 55 artists and craftspeople including some long-standing favourites along with 18 new exhibitors. Ceramics, jewellery, metalwork, textiles, 2D art, wood and glass pieces make up an eclectic mix of beautifully crafted items to offer a quality shopping experience a million miles away from the high street.
On the food side of things, the award-winning Welbeck Farm Shop has selected 30 artisan stalls offering premium items from local producers from cheeses and chutneys to sweets and sloe gin. As well as food to take away, the baking diploma students from the The School of Artisan Food will be selling wood-fired pizzas handmade in the purpose-built oven.
The School will also be running children’s sessions each day where kids can get stuck in with baking and decorating. Bookable on the day, the morning and afternoon workshops run for around 30 to 45 minutes and are available on a first come first serve basis, at a cost of £1.00 per child.
As well as a feast of shopping, there is also the chance to visit 15 artists’ studios based permanently on the estate and meet the makers. Not normally open to the public, this is a unique opportunity to find out more from the artists and craftspeople working in the Harley studios, from ceramists and textile designers to florists and jewellers.
For those looking to paint their own Christmas gifts and decorations, The Harley Pottery Studio will be running sessions to create personalised pieces of pottery. To top off the festive fun, there’s also the chance to see Santa at the neighbouring Dukeries Garden Centre, which will be festooned with a wealth of festive decorations.
The Welbeck Winter Weekend is free to enter and free to park. Opening at 10.00am each day, the event runs until 5.00pm on the Friday and Saturday, and closes at 4.00pm on the Sunday. For more information, visit www.welbeck.co.uk.