NOW in its 20th year, the Bovey Tracey Craft Festival 2023 was bigger and better than ever.

That’s the verdict of craft lovers who attended the three-day event at Mill Marsh Park.

The tents were crammed with some 200 crafters and makers, showcasing the finest bespoke jewellery, clothing, furniture and much more besides.

Despite being in a small town on the edge of the moor, the festival is considered one of the biggest and best in Europe.

Outside the main exhibiting marquees, a wider range of workshops and displays than in previous years were on show.

Among those displays were an array of makers keeping alive crafts which are on the Red List of endangered crafts.

Show director Sarah James enthused: ‘They were quite wonderful. I watched someone from Coates Willow make a chair from willow so quickly I couldn’t see his hands move!

‘This has been such a wonderful show. We have seen close to 10,000 people through the gates which is among the best numbers we’ve ever had.

‘It was tough for a while with the effects of covid, but that is now behind us. It’s great to see families and children attend – we had the choir from Bovey Tracey Primary School on the first day. 

‘The makers have reported sales have been very good. It’s so nice that when times are tough people are really generous with their money.

‘It has been a fantastic festival and I saw so much happiness!’