Our Story
Founded in 2004, Craft Festival is a non-profit organisation. Our original Festival in Bovey Tracey and has welcomed over 160,000 visitors and contributed at least £25 million to the local economy. Today, Craft Festival Bovey Tracey is one of the country’s most respected craft events, welcoming over 10,000 visitors every year from across the UK and beyond.
Find a Maker
Find a Maker was born out of the chaos that was the Covid Pandemic. During that difficult time, makers from across the world messaged us, asking for support.
In response to this and with the support of Arts Council England Cultural Recovery fund, we launched Find a Maker in 2021. Find a Maker is a curated directory and business school, supporting 450+ creative businesses from across the UK and around the globe.
The Capital of Craft Podcast
Our podcast, The Capital of Craft, launched in 2021 has released over 40 episodes, sharing stories from across the craft world.
Hosted by Sarah James MBE, Craft Festival’s Director, The Capital of Craft delves into the lives and ideas of exceptional makers.
New episodes are added in the months proceeding our Festivals.
The Capital of Craft Podcast
Our podcast, The Capital of Craft, launched in 2021 has released over 40 episodes, sharing stories from across the craft world.
Hosted by Sarah James MBE, Craft Festival’s Director, The Capital of Craft delves into the lives and ideas of exceptional makers.
New episodes are added in the months proceeding our Festivals.
Award-Winning Excellence
Craft Festival is proud to have won lots of awards:
- Gold Craft Festival Bovey Tracey, Visit Devon Festival of the Year (2015, 2016, 2017)
- Gold Craft Festival Bovey Tracey, South West Excellence Awards Festival of the Year (2018)
- Winner of Winners Craft Festival Bovey Tracey,South West Excellence Awards (2018)
- Event of the Year, runner up: Craft Festival, Cardiff, Cardiff Life Awards 2016
- Winner Event of the Year (Community) Craft Festival Wales, Caru Ceredigion Awards 2024
- Event of the Year, Runner up Craft Festival Wales, Caru Ceredigion Awards 2025
Sarah James was awarded an MBE for Services to Craft in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023
Giving Back: Our Community Fund
We have supported:
- Bovey Tracey Youth Café (over £12,000 donated)
- Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool
- Bovey Futures
- Plastic Free Bovey
- Make Southwest Saturday Club
- Friends of Mill Marsh Park
- Bovey Tracey Riverside Community Centre planting and maintenance from 2023-2026
Giving Back: Our Community Fund
We have supported:
- Bovey Tracey Youth Café (over £12,000 donated)
- Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool
- Bovey Futures
- Plastic Free Bovey
- Make Southwest Saturday Club
- Friends of Mill Marsh Park
- Bovey Tracey Riverside Community Centre planting and maintenance from 2023-2026
The Craft Festival Cup
Launched in 2019, the Craft Festival Cup celebrates and encourages young creative talent in the Bovey Tracey area. Winners- 2019: Matilda Slee
- 2022: Erin
- 2023: Evie Coates
- 2024: Mia Howe & Eloise Busby
- 2025: Emmeline Hunt & Josephine Hunter
