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One of the most important events in the ceramics calendar, the 16th National Pottery and Ceramics
Festival, will take place at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire on August 6th, 7th & 8th.
This show has now become one of the most important ceramic events in Europe and this year celebrates it's 16th anniversary.
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.
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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 John Higgins. The second is for ‘The Student Award’ sponsored by Art in Clay and was, for the first time won jointly, by Matthew Marsh of the University of Wolverhampton & Barry Stedman of the University of Westminster. The third award sponsored by www.studiopottery.co.uk went to Eddie Curtis. The bi-annual award is ‘The Mick Casson Award’ This award is donated by Steve Harrison and Ben Casson. It’s a tankard made by Steve in a wooden presentation box crafted by Ben.
All awards are presented when the show closes on Saturday (5.30pmish) and all 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.
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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
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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.
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Parking
The main public car park is sited on grass right next to the showground.
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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 which is usually about every 20mins
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Refreshments
A range of refreshments are available to suit all tastes. Temporary catering facilities at various points around the showground will offer a varied selection of refreshments and the Coach House Restaurant near Hatfield House will provide hot lunches and drinks.
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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 a children's play area. We would add that this was 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.
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Hatfield House
Hatfield House is open for visitors during Art in Clay from 12.00 midday until 4.00 pm for a small additional charge of £3. For further information about Hatfield House, visit www.hatfieldhouse.co.uk
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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.
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