Sussex is a treasure trove for craft lovers, offering immersive experiences that celebrate heritage, creativity, and hands-on artistry. From the South Downs to the coast, Sussex is brimful of opportunities to explore, learn, and be inspired. Whether you're a seasoned maker or a curious beginner, here’s your guide to the best craft experiences and trails across the Sussex region.
Sussex Craft Week: A Celebration of Making
Held every June, Sussex Craft Week showcases over 100 makers across 40 venues. Highlights include:
- Open studios and live demonstrations
- Workshops in ceramics, sculpture, dyeing, and more
- Studio Safaris in Lewes and Ditchling, offering guided tours to local makers
Chichester Open Studios: Meet the Makers
Every May, the Chichester Open Studios Art Trail invites visitors into the workspaces of over 140 artists across 112 venues. Explore painting, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and more in areas from the harbour and into the downs, as well as the city of Chichester and surrounding villages.
Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft: A Village of Makers
Located in the South Downs north of Brighton, the Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft celebrates the legacy of the artists and craftspeople who made this East Sussex village a hub of creativity in the early 20th century. The museum houses an internationally significant collection of over 20,000 objects, including work by renowned figures such as Eric Gill, Edward Johnston, and Ethel Mairet.
Visitors can explore beautifully curated exhibitions, take part in craft workshops, and enjoy seasonal events like the Wayzgoose printmaking festival. The museum also offers online courses, a charming café, and a shop filled with handmade goods.
Whether you're interested in calligraphy, textiles, or print, Ditchling offers a unique opportunity to connect with the roots of the Arts and Crafts movement in an inspiring rural setting.
Weald & Downland Living Museum: Crafting the Past
Step back in time at the Weald & Downland Living Museum, where history comes alive through traditional rural crafts and heritage skills. Set across 40 acres in the South Downs, the museum features over 50 rescued historic buildings and a year-round programme of immersive craft experiences.
Visitors can watch and try their hand at blacksmithing, woodturning, leatherwork, and flint knapping, or join one of the museum’s renowned heritage courses. These range from bronze sword casting and rush weaving to timber framing and beekeeping, many of which preserve endangered skills listed by the Heritage Crafts Association. The museum also hosts seasonal events, family-friendly workshops, and live demonstrations that bring the rural past to life in a hands-on, engaging way.
