6th 7th 8th July 2012
Art in Clay Hatfield
Pottery & Ceramics Festival
Hatfield House
Hertfordshire
AL9 5NQ
Opening Times:
Friday & Saturday 10am - 5.30pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm
Admission Prices:
Adult £8.50 Two-Day Ticket £15 Three-Day Ticket £22.50
Concession £8 Concession Two-Day Ticket £14 Concession Three-Day Ticket £21
Child 15yrs and under FREE
Celebrating 18 years of Art in Clay at Hatfield House in 2012, this show has now become one of the most important ceramic events in Europe.The makers range from young imaginative students and relative newcomers to leading National and International makers. Some of the best ideas for ceramics in interior and garden design will be on display for you to admire and buy.
There will be demonstrations taking place both inside and outside the marquees all week-end, from throwing and hand decoration inside the marquees to kiln firings outside. There is also a full programme of talks and demonstrations planned.
Three awards are offered each year; 'The Valentine Clays Peers Award' (best maker at the show), which went to Helene Lathoumetie from France. The second is for 'The Student Award' sponsored by Art in Clay and was won by Lawrence Epps (University of Westminster). The third award sponsored by www.studiopottery.co.uk went to Richard Godfrey. All awards are presented when the show closes on Saturday (5.30pmish) and you are welcome to attend.
If you appreciate the beauty of lovingly made pots and ceramics; there will be something here to inspire you. The magnificent setting of Hatfield House and it's parklands offers the opportunity to relax in the grounds during the show and spend a full day or more at this unique event.
Whether you are looking for something for the 'inside or outside' forget your preconceptions about 'craft fairs' and prepare to be amazed by the sheer diversity of Art in Clay.
Accommodation
For imformation on Accommodation please try either phoning the local tourist board on +44 (0)1992 584322 or these websites ......
www.hertford.net or
www.stalbans.gov.uk or
Lee Valley YHA or
Caravan Club of G.B. - Hertford site
Disabled Visitors
Parking for disabled drivers is next to the entrance of our show. The show is on cut grass and parkland that has a gentle slope. We feel all the exhibition areas are accessible by wheelchairs. If you don't please let us know. There are temporary disabled W.C.'s on the showground and permanent disabled W.C. in the Old Palace Yard near the café. Visitors in wheelchairs are able to visit the entire House and most of the Garden.
Parking
The main public car park is sited on grass right next to the showground.
Shuttle Bus
A free shuttle bus service will be running continuously to and from the show site entrance to Hatfield House, the Stables Courtyard Café and the Old Palace. Anyone coming on foot or by public transport need only walk 200m from the main gate and wait by our bus stop sign. Please be patient, he will be round in the time it takes to get to the showground and back, which is about every 20mins
Refreshments
A range of refreshments are available to suit all tastes. There are temporary catering facilities at various points around the showground that offer a varied selection of refreshments and the Coach House Restaurant near Hatfield House serves hot lunches and drinks.
Hatfield Park & Gardens
Admission includes access to the gardens at the west of the House which include the Wilderness areas and the Herb and Knot Gardens. These gardens are maintained entirely organically in the style that reflects their Jacobean origins. Visitors can also explore over 1,000 acres of parkland with nature trails and woods. There is also a children's play area, designed for use by young children under parental supervision. This area incorporates a lovely facility for picnics, sadly this area is not available to those visitors with dogs.
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is open for visitors during Art in Clay from 12.00 midday until 4.00 pm for an additional charge of £7. For further information about Hatfield House, visit www.hatfieldhouse.co.uk
Dogs
Hatfield Park is huge with acres of accessible parkland. They have always welcomed dogs but they must be kept on a lead when on the exhibition site and in the immediate vicinity of Hatfield House. No dogs are permitted in the children's play area and picnic site and please keep them on a lead in some of the well-signed areas sensitive to wildlife.