Group organisers have recommended the Living Crafts festival after picking up the idea at last year’s Group Leisure & Travel Show.
Pat Lake, who runs Chippy Active Trips, booked to take 40 members of his group after meeting the team at the exhibition in Milton Keynes in October. Impressed by the team’s enthusiasm for the Hertfordshire festival, Pat was pleased to have found a new idea.
He said they thoroughly enjoyed the event which took place at Hatfield Park in May and recommends it to other groups. He added: “You can have a wonderful day out at this unique craft exhibition. The pavilions are full of craft demonstrations, painting, and drawing in various forms; pottery throwing, stone carving; felt making; candle making; spoon carving; make your own longbow and many more.”
His members enjoyed watching the glass-blowing demonstrations and seeing wood-turning done the old-fashioned way. Another highlight was entertainment from a ‘great jazz group’ at the festival’s bandstand.
Pat said: “Most of the stalls are in pavilions and undercover, so there is protection from the weather. My group took part in many of the events and had a great time, which included shopping. The staff, both from Living Crafts and Hatfield House, were wonderful and very helpful.”
The organisers of the Living Crafts festival had a huge amount of interest at the GLT Show. Jo Jenkins from the team told us: “We spoke to a lot of group travel organisers that day, we pretty much stopped everyone who walked past, it was a great day and clearly paid off.”
Living Crafts, which first started in 1974, is all about celebrating the best of British craft and design. Entry tickets included access to Hatfield House’s parkland, woodland walks as well as the Elizabeth Oak.
Pauline Johnson, Hinckley Social Theatre & Travel Club, also picked up the idea at the exhibition and said her group enjoyed the festival as well as visiting the gardens of the house, adding: “Overall it was well worth the entrance fee; the music was very pleasant to listen to.”
The 2025 Living Crafts festival
Next year’s event will take place from Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th May. There are discounts for groups of 15 or more. GTOs can register their interest by calling 02392 863871. For more information visit livingcrafts.co.uk.
For information about visiting or exhibiting at the annual Group Leisure & Travel Show go to grouptravelshow.com.
