- Apr 26
- 14 min read
Updated: May 7
Delightful Events Taking Place During London Craft Week - 2026
Craft Week
11th - 17th May 2026
Nina Campbell hosts Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB and Sophia Elliot at her Pimlico Road showroom during London Craft Week, where visitors can experience live demonstrations of weaving and hand painting alongside a curated display of rugs, tapestries and home accessories. With a master weaver visiting from Sweden and Sophia Elliot painting in residence, the event offers a rare opportunity to witness exceptional craftsmanship up close and purchase or commission unique pieces.
The Lacquer Company invites visitors to its showroom during London Craft Week to discover the centuries old Son Mai lacquer technique through an open and engaging drop in experience. With pieces by designers including Rita Konig, Miles Redd and Veere Grenney on display, guests can explore the materials, ask questions and gain insight into the meticulous process behind this richly layered craft.
Vandra Rugs presents a week-long celebration of tapestry weaving at Sinclair Till, offering live demonstrations, hands-on workshops and the chance to explore a new collection while meeting designers including Maja Johansson Starander and Neisha Crosland. Visitors are invited to take part in creating a woven artwork, discover the rich heritage of Ukrainian craftsmanship, and experience the artistry behind these bespoke, story-led tapestries.
Edward Bulmer Natural Paint and Soil Association present Grounded in Colour, a thoughtful programme for London Craft Week exploring the relationship between soil, pigments and sustainable craft. Through a hands-on workshop and live demonstration led by Caroline Ross, visitors can discover how raw earth is transformed into richly coloured paint and reconnect with the natural origins of materials.
Robert Kime invites visitors to its Pimlico Road showroom for Start with a Rug, a day dedicated to the craft of restoring antique textiles and carpets. With expert makers working live, guests can explore rare pieces, gain insight into restoration techniques and discover how these timeless materials shape beautifully layered interiors.
Ochre presents The Beauty of Bronze, a showcase of sculptural lighting, furniture and objects crafted using the ancient lost wax casting technique. Featuring new pieces alongside signature designs, the display invites visitors to experience the artistry and detail of bronze casting first hand through samples and film, revealing how nature inspired forms are transformed into refined contemporary works.
Cox London unveils Hinterlands, a dreamlike new window installation by Christopher Cox and Nicola Cox in its Belgravia gallery. Blending nature, myth and material, the sculptural works invite passersby to discover a richly atmospheric world shaped in steel, iron and bronze.
The Conran Shop presents Giving Clay a Form, an installation celebrating the women of Sejnane in Tunisia and their UNESCO recognised ceramic traditions. Pairing each hand built vessel with the story of its maker, the display offers a moving insight into heritage, identity and the enduring power of clay.
Rose Uniacke welcomes Leonie Edmead, Heritage Crafts’ Emerging Weaver of the Year, in residence at its Pimlico Road fabric shop during London Craft Week. With live weaving demonstrations and a special showcase of hand sewn leather techniques, visitors can gain a rare insight into the skill and process behind Rose Uniacke’s distinctive craftsmanship.
The 2026 House & Garden Craft Prize Showcase, 11th - 17th May, Sotheby's, 34-35 New Bond Street, London, W1A 2AA
The 2026 House & Garden Craft Prize celebrates the most exciting artists working in Britain today, championing contemporary craft as a vital and ambitious cultural force. Presented at Sotheby's London as part of Crafted, the showcase brings together ten shortlisted works selected by a panel including Talib Choudhry, TF Chan, Julia Fischel and Keith Brymer Jones, with the winner announced on 11th May.
FiredUp4 presents the third edition of Secret Ceramics at Sotheby's London, where 100 anonymous works are sold to support Clay Clubs for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Visitors can trust their instincts in a £650 fixed-price sale, discover exceptional talent, and enjoy the reveal upon purchase.
Masterful, sustainable and eminently collectable, authentic craft offers a rare connection to the tangible, honouring heritage while shaping a contemporary aesthetic built to last. This May, Sotheby's London presents Crafted in support of London Craft Week, bringing together exhibitions, the FiredUp4 Secret Ceramics sale, Intoart commissions, prize showcases, leading galleries, and a lively public programme of demonstrations, talks and workshops.
London Craft Week X FiredUp4, Curated Ceramics, 11th - 17th May, Sotheby’s, 34-35 New Bond St, London, W1A 2AA
Curated Ceramics, the new FiredUp4 x London Craft Week auction, brings together exceptional works selected by Kate Malone, featuring pieces by leading artists including Pippin Drysdale and Ryan Barrett. Each work is generously donated to provide young people with access to clay, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire outstanding contemporary ceramics while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Charles Burnand Gallery presents The Ground of Things, a compelling exhibition by Dawn Bendick in collaboration with FJ Hakimian, marking her first exploration into handmade rugs. Translating her sculptural language into richly textured textiles crafted through traditional Tibetan weaving techniques, the exhibition offers a thoughtful and visually striking encounter with colour, material and form.
An immersive installation at the Garden Museum transforms the baptistery with 4,800 hand-stitched silk mandu, created by Sara Cook in celebration of East Asian cherry blossom traditions. Evoking themes of renewal, connection and shared ritual, the display invites visitors to experience a delicate and contemplative welcome to spring, accompanied by a programme of workshops and events.
Forest + Found presents The House is Full of Ghosts at 8 Holland Street | South of the River, an evocative exhibition exploring memory, absence and the psychology of domestic space. Featuring works by Max Bainbridge, Abigail Booth and Frances Pinnock, the show offers a quietly powerful encounter with objects, materials and the traces they hold.
Oxford Ceramics Gallery brings a rich selection of modern and contemporary studio craft to Sotheby's London during London Craft Week. Showcasing works by artists including Sara Radstone, Kerry Jameson, Philip Eglin, Lucie Rie and Bernard Leach, alongside textiles and sculptural furniture, the display offers a compelling overview of exceptional craftsmanship across disciplines.
Primavera | Wondering People At Sophie Breitmeyer, 11th - 17th May, Sophie Breitmeyer, 32 Elizabeth Street, London, SW1W 9NZ
Wondering People presents Primavera at Sophie Breitmeyer, a group exhibition bringing together artists and makers including Camille Biddell, Jay Harper, Ali Hewson, Charlotte Salt and Kate Cornelius. Set within Sophie Breitmeyer’s elegant new space, the exhibition offers a fresh and thoughtful celebration of renewal, colour and craftsmanship.
Them Outdoors partners with the Garden Museum for an exhibition exploring the role of sculpture in gardens and outdoor spaces. Set within Dan Pearson’s iconic courtyard, the display brings together British artists across metalwork, ceramics and casting, offering a fresh perspective on how craft and sculpture can shape the outdoor landscape.
Wondering People presents Lovers’ Court at 8 Holland Street | South of the River, a six week residency bringing together three artist couples in a thoughtful exploration of partnership, material and making. Spanning ten rooms across two nineteenth century townhouses, the exhibition offers a richly layered encounter with contemporary craft, design and storytelling, and runs until 13th June.
The William Morris Society and Neera Sehgal present an immersive one-day workshop exploring the tactile art of Indian woodblock printing, inspired by the enduring philosophy of William Morris. Through hands on sessions from paper to fabric, participants can experiment with pattern, colour and composition, embracing the beauty of the handmade while creating their own printed textiles to take home.
Cutting Cheese: Sculpture, Craft and Performance at Paxton & Whitfield is a lively event blending making, tasting and conversation through the unexpected medium of cheese. From a live carving by Zoë Wilson to an evening talk and tasting with Ben Russell, the experience offers a playful and thought provoking take on craft, creativity and material.
Cole & Son invites visitors to its Chelsea flagship showroom for Hand-Painted Heritage and Craft, a live demonstration celebrating the artistry behind its latest wallpaper collection. Guests can watch each design come to life through hand-painted techniques and discover the precision, heritage and craftsmanship behind every pattern.
Behind the Scenes: Heritage Crafts in St Paul’s Cathedral invites visitors to explore rarely seen spaces where traditional craftsmanship continues to shape daily life. From hand-worked Portland stone and the Bell Tower’s expert broderers to the Triforium’s display of Sir Christopher Wren’s remarkable Great Model, this is a rare chance to experience the artistry and heritage behind one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
Step inside the atelier of Cox London for a rare behind the scenes experience, where visitors can witness ancient craft techniques brought to life through contemporary making in bronze, brass and iron. Guided by founders Christopher Cox and Nicola Cox, the tour offers an inspiring insight into the skill, process and artistry behind each piece, from raw material to finished work.
Christopher Farr Cloth presents Illuminating Worlds: Light as Storytelling, a collaborative exhibition of one off handcrafted lampshades created with leading contemporary artists and makers. On view at the showroom during London Craft Week, the display invites visitors to explore light, colour and narrative through craft, alongside a special workshop with Alvaro Picardo and an opening night hosted by Michal Silver.
Jessica Light, known as the Tassel Queen of Bethnal Green, brings her couture passementerie to East London Cloth with a vivid showcase of limited edition works and the launch of her new Black Mountain collection. Visitors can watch live making, explore her richly detailed creations and secure a place on an exclusive tassel workshop, offering a rare chance to experience this historic East End craft brought to life for today.
Splats and Spindles: Six English Regional Chairs at the Museum of the Home explores the rich language of traditional chairmaking through a fascinating display from the Bernard and Geraldine Cotton Collection. Visitors can get up close to distinctive regional designs, uncover the stories behind their makers, and deepen their experience with a film by Ella Merriman or a behind the scenes curatorial tour.
Volga Linen and Pelican House present The Weaving of a Folkloric Floral Design, a thoughtful panel discussion exploring how heritage craft and contemporary design continue to shape one another. Hosted at the Volga Linen showroom, the conversation brings together Bella Valenzia, India Holmes and Claire Fouché to examine the enduring relevance of traditional making in modern interiors.
Soane Britain hosts a compelling talk on the ethical sourcing of rattan, bringing together Lulu Lytle and Bill Baker of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to explore sustainability, traceability and the future of this vital material. Offering rare insight into the global rattan supply chain and the science behind species identification, the event invites designers and makers to engage with one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary craft, with proceeds supporting Kew’s Palm House project.
Luke Irwin hosts Speronella Marsh at his Pimlico Road showroom for a thoughtful exploration of past and present in design, with a special talk moderated by Hatta Byng. Showcasing hand printed antique linens, custom rugs and curated pieces by Guy Tobin, the event offers a rich dialogue between history, craftsmanship and contemporary interiors.
And Objects presents In the Grain, a day of live demonstrations with Cedar, Cutts & Moore, transforming its London showroom into a working carpentry space. Visitors can experience the full journey of bespoke woodcraft, from raw timber to refined object, and gain a rare insight into the precision, care and craftsmanship behind each piece.
The New Craftmaker X Studio AMOS, ‘Settle’ Exhibition And Talk: In Conversation With Studio AMOS, 13th May, The New Craftmaker, 67 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NE
Studio AMOS, led by Annemarie O’Sullivan and Tom McWalter, presents Settle at The New Craftmaker, a thoughtful collection of woven objects created from hand-harvested natural materials. Visitors can meet the makers, explore their process and discover a quietly striking body of work that celebrates texture, balance and the enduring beauty of traditional craft.
Collier Webb invites visitors to its Pimlico Road showroom for a hands-on workshop and open house celebrating the artistry of traditional pattern making inspired by the natural world. Guided by its in house maker, guests can sculpt their own clay motif, explore the showroom and gain insight into the craftsmanship and processes behind the brand’s sculptural designs.
Soane Britain presents Weavers in Residence at its Pimlico Road showroom, offering a rare chance to experience the endangered craft of rattan weaving and learn directly from skilled makers trained through its pioneering apprenticeship programme. Visitors can watch live demonstrations, try the techniques themselves, and join a special conversation between Lulu Lytle and Bill Baker on the importance of sustainability in rattan production.
In The Potter’s Hands, 13th May, Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
Linked to the V&A display Dimensions: Contemporary Chinese Studio Crafts, this workshop brings two emerging ceramicists from Jingdezhen’s Pottery Workshop Creative Market to the Victoria and Albert Museum for a live demonstration of contemporary ceramic practice. Featuring Gu Yue and Zhu Xinkui, the session offers a rare insight into evolving techniques rooted in tradition, revealing the energy and innovation of one of China’s most influential craft centres.
Marking London Craft Week, the space will host a special event celebrating artistry, materiality and the enduring appeal of beautifully made things.
Carl Hansen & Søn presents a collaboration with Zimmer + Rohde, reimagining the iconic CH290 Series by Hans J. Wegner through the use of luxurious contemporary textiles. Blending heritage craftsmanship with fresh material perspectives, the display offers a compelling new view of a modern classic, where fabric and form come together to enhance both comfort and character.
Phoebe Collings-James presents a rose, a bridge, a house at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, a powerful new body of work exploring clay, surface and the physical act of making. Blending sculpture, ceramics and installation, the exhibition offers a compelling encounter with material, identity and community, forming part of the gallery’s wider programme on contemporary craft.
West Dean: Where Craft Lives, 13th - 17th May, West Dean, West Dean College, Dilke House, 1 Malet St, London, WC1E 7JN
West Dean College presents Where Craft Lives, an exhibition showcasing the work of its FdA, BA and Master’s students, shaped by heritage skills, contemporary experimentation and studio practice. Featuring diverse disciplines alongside live demonstrations and taster workshops, it offers a rich insight into the ideas and making culture that define West Dean.
TOAST Presents New Makers 2026 invites visitors to Old Sessions House for an engaging panel discussion on the role and value of contemporary craft, hosted by lifestyle journalist Jes Salter. Featuring voices including Florian Gadsby, Judith Harris, Natalie Melton and Jacob Marks, the evening offers insight into the evolving values of craft today, with arrivals from 6 pm and the talk beginning at 7 pm.
Diptyque hosts a series of immersive workshops at Maison Diptyque London during London Craft Week, inviting visitors to explore the artistry behind its iconic designs. Led by artist Claire Coles, guests can discover her intricate techniques and create their own floral collage inspired by Diptyque’s signature style.
From 15 May to 31 July 2026, Kamilah Ahmed presents Facets in Resonance at Leighton House, a striking embroidered textile installation that reimagines the Arab Hall through craft, pattern and cross-cultural exchange. Visitors can attend a special after hours opening to meet the artist and join a hands on plasterwork workshop led by Mariam Ashraf, offering a rare opportunity to explore traditional techniques and contemporary making.
At Sotheby's London, Thatching Futures offers a rare chance to explore how traditional thatching is being reimagined for contemporary design through Robert Radcliffe's work. In a live demonstration with master thatcher Joe Thornton, visitors can watch two cabinets take shape while gaining insight into the craft’s techniques, heritage and future possibilities.
Art Workers’ Guild opens its doors during London Craft Week with a lively programme of talks, demonstrations and a free exhibition showcasing over twenty artists across a wide range of craft disciplines. Visitors can explore specialist skills, attend talks, and join guided tours of the Guild’s historic home with Simon Hurst, offering a rare insight into one of Britain’s most respected creative communities.
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