South West
Woodfairs and other events in the South West:
- Blackdown Woodland Fair
- Stock Gaylard Estate Oak Fair, Ashridge Estate, Berkhamstead
- Festival of the Tree, Westonbirt, Gloucestershire
- Great Dorset Steam Fair, Tarrant Hinton, Dorset
- Cranborne Chase Woodfair, Cranborne, Dorset
- South West Woodland Show, Longleat, Somerset
- South West Woodfair
Blackdowns Wooodland Fair
Wellington, Somerset
Saturday 3rd July 2010
A family event focusing on wood and woodland activities, carving, bodging, tree surgery, hurdle making, green furniture making, oak frame building, sustainable fuels/energy, bow making, forest school and lots more, mobile saws and steam saws, with the opportunity to have a go yourself. There will be Demonstrations and activities to suit all ages.
For more information visit the Blackdown Hills Woodland Association website.
Stock Gaylard Estate Oak Fair
Near Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Saturday 28th August 2010
The Stock Gaylard Oak Fair aims to showcase all aspects of timber from Tree
surgeons, large timber machinery to the individual craftsmen. In 2009 we
had over 150 exhibitors in addition to many more who contributed to the
Re-birth of a Dorset Oak Exhibition. Each year we introduce new exhibitors
and attractions.
There is plenty to see and buy in the market place too.
Quote from a visitors book: "As veterans of many wood fairs and festivals this is way the best congratulations on a fantastic job!"
Adult tickets cost around £7, children only £2.70. Other concessions available. For more information visit their website.
Festival of the Tree, Westonbirt
"Exhibitree"
27th - 30th Aug 2010
Venue - the National Arboretum, Westonbirt nr. Tetbury, Glos
Tree-mendous fun for everyone. Woodcarvers at work, trips into treetops or some gentle retail therapy…this year’s Festival has something for everyone. From Monday 23 August, twelve talented sculptors will take up their chainsaws and chisels and carve out fabulous giant sculptures - made ready for auction at 3pm on Bank Holiday Monday in support of the charity Tree Aid. The Woodcraft Exhibition – Exhibitree has a full programme of arena demonstrations, guided walks, workshops and specialist talks.
(Photos by Rob Cousins)
Tickets for adults are approximately £8 - £10 with concessions available.
Details are being finalised. More on the website soon.
Great Dorset Steam Fair
1st - 5th September 2010
Tarrant Hinton, Dorset
Waiting for more information and photos.
For more information see their website.
Cranborne Chase Woodfair
Next one will be in 2011
Larmer Tree Gardens, the home of Pitt Rivers in the 1800's on the famous Rushmore Estate.
The Cranborne Chase Woodfair is an event designed to celebrate the historic woodlands of the South West and the associated crafts and industries that it represents. From timeless crafts to contemporary designs; from modern day forestry techniques to the demonstration of a range of practical rural skills seldom found in today's woodlands, there is something for everyone.
The Woodfair offers a wonderful opportunity to follow the whole tree cycle - from forest to final form, and offers an inspirational, enjoyable and entertaining family day out. The event is run bi-annually and is run and organised by the team at the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In both 2007 and 2009 the two day weekend event was visited by over 6,500 people with over 150 traders and demonstrators.
See their website for more details.
South West Woodland Show
Next one will be in 2011
Longleat
(Photo by Ceri Hawke)
Information from 2009 can be found on the Confor website.
South West Woodfair
To the best of our knowledge this show is no longer running.
Comments on this article
Martin Coleman 17 May, 2010
So why has this event been cancelled, is no one in this area interested anymore. We still have all the tourist rubbish, but something worth while that could
achieve something is not running again. Why is it this?
The Devon and Cornwall area is so poorly represented
when it comes to this sort of event. With the price of
fuel not everyone can afford travel up country.
The southwest wood fair was in easy travelling distance
for both Devon and Cornwall. We in Devon and Cornwall
should have some sort of local event.
If you live down in Cornwall Blackdown, Cranborne Chase,
or longleat, are a good 2 to 3 hour drive.
Why are we no longer able to have our own local show?
Jean Kozicka 23 May, 2010
This was realy a great show dont know why they cancelled it. Please ask them to restart the show,which we all enoyed so much.
Barry Mays 20 June, 2010
So sad. A truly inspirational and accessable event which was a showpiece of traditional rural skills for Devon and Cornwall. It could have grown bigger and better given the right management and local backing. BRING IT BACK!
kirsten woodly 25 June, 2010
bring it back it was brilliant
dan the wood man 26 June, 2010
the sad fact is they fell victim to the harsh financial situation back in 09. the funding for they project, which the woodfair show was part of, ran out. there was attempts to extend and secure new funding, but non could be found. without a backer to bankroll and cover liabilities the fair simply could not continue. all the staff have had to move on to new jobs and the offices no longer exist. just yet another thing to blame on the greed of our bankers!
Primrose Hartnell 7 July, 2010
So,so sad that the wood fair is no longer running in the south west.This is the type of event we need more of. I feel that with practical management and local support it could bring inspiration and awareness to many. Our rural crafts need regenerating not forgetting. BRING IT BACK!
dan the wood gnome 24 July, 2010
i am sad and very annoyed.
last year it was damp to say the least but those that attended got stuck in and seemed to really embrace the event.
i know why not stage yet another music event instead.
seriously are there any plans next year?
any one out there know ?