About our Fairs

We have been running fairs at Brancepeth Castle since 1987. It is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the castle inside and out, with the high-quality, wide and varied range of exhibitors.

All visitors enter at the gatehouse into the large, grassy, enclosed courtyard where outdoor stalls are displayed. Indoors, crafts are exhibited in several gracious, spacious rooms in the castle. Refreshments are available on site.

The fair is open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm on Sunday.

Dates

The next Brancepeth Castle Craft Fairs will be held on

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 26, 27, 28 July 2024

And

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 22, 23, 24 November 2024

Location

Brancepeth is about 5 miles south-west of Durham on the A690 (Sat-Nav DH7 8DF). From the South: leave A1(M) at jnct 60 or 61. From the North: leave A1(M) at jnct 62. Once in Brancepeth turn at the crossroads off the A690. Drive through the gates. The castle is on your right. There is ample parking on the grass flanking the castle. ​

Public Transport

The Arriva 46 (Crook) bus links Brancepeth to Durham City bus station. The Hopper links the bus and rail station.

Stalls (2024)

We have a few different types of stall available.

All our options include Wi-Fi for the stallholder and an electricity supply.

If you require a variation on the below then please get in touch to discuss what we can offer. Please note, naked flames (e.g. candles) are NOT permitted on stalls.

Courtyard plots

Square plots, mostly sited on grass in the castle courtyard with a frontage onto a tarmac path. You will need to provide your own table and weather protection that should fit entirely within the plot.

All courtyard stalls will have the option to store stock indoors overnight.

Small (2.4m/8ft) - £150
Large (3.6m/12ft) - £210

Market stalls

Covered market stalls in the courtyard are available. These are pre-erected before you arrive.

All courtyard stalls will have the option to store stock indoors overnight.

Small (min 1.8m/6ft) - £190
Large (min 2.4m/8ft) - £250

Indoor spaces

Rectangular indoor spaces are available at 6’, 8’, 10’ and 12’ frontage by one table deep with working space behind giving a standard projection of 5’ (1.52m). Anyone requiring more than standard depth must request this specifically by email when booking, and be prepared to pay an additional fee. A table can be hired at extra cost, or you can provide your own.

All indoor stalls back on to a wall, some incorporating a window/door/fireplace etc. Stall backs and display boards may be leant against the wall, but no fixings used on the wall.

An electricity supply is provided to each stall in the form of a 4-gang trailing socket. Max load 250W. No kettles, irons or heaters may be used.

Some non-standard stalls are available, where the floor layout does not easily form a rectangle. These can be advantageous where flexibility is possible, sometimes offering a larger overall floor area. If you indicate on the booking form that this is possible for you we will be in contact to discuss any proposal in plenty of time.

Small (1.8m/6ft) - £200; or with table £220
Medium (2.4m/8ft) - £250; or with table £270
Large (3m/10ft) - £300; or with table £330
Extra-Large (3.6m/12ft) - £360; or with table £390

Budget stalls

Only a few are available, these are small and may be in disadvantaged spaces. Please enquire specifically if you are interested in these.

Budget stalls - 25% commission

Drop In Workshops/Demonstrations

Designed to help promote your workshops, and engage people in your craft. Limited spaces are available, enquire specifically if you are interested, and include a brief description of what you would be looking to offer.

Starting Price - £75

How to apply

Brancepeth Castle Craft Fairs aim to provide a high quality, diverse selection of stalls for visitors.

We look for quality and originality from potential exhibitors and aim not to have two stalls selling almost identical goods. Obviously, some overlap is inevitable and across the full fair the same craft may be represented on several, but we would expect there to be strong differences in the craftsperson’s style or content. This does mean that there is more competition for stalls on popular crafts, particularly jewellery, cards and photography.

The items that you sell must be your own work, we do not allow ‘bought-in’ goods. You will be asked to submit photographs of your work as well as photographs of the work ‘in-progress’ as verification that it is your own. This will be enforced during the fair and you will be asked to remove any bought-in goods.

Exhibitors must have Public Liability insurance with cover for “Work Away”. A valid certificate will be required when booking. To apply for a booking form, please submit the following by email to craftfairs@brancepethcastle.uk.

• A written description of your craft, and the range of items that you would like to sell at our fair.
• Photos of the work, including in–progress shots.
• Your web address/Facebook page (if available).

If you are accepted to exhibit, the process is as follows:

1. Compete an online booking form – link sent by email.
2. Once you have completed the booking form, we will acknowledge your booking by email.
3. Please pay the non-refundable £25 deposit to secure your booking
4. In the month before the fair you will receive a VAT invoice.
5. You will then need to pay the stall fee and send a copy of your insurance certificate.
6. Nearer the time of the fair, we will email you with joining instructions.

Please note that the stall fee is generally non-refundable.

If you have any problems while booking, please contact us at craftfairs@brancepethcastle.uk

Logistical information

Setting up starts from midday on the Thursday. Help is given with off-loading stock so that cars can be swiftly be returned to the car parking area allowing the next stallholder to unload. Trolleys are available for moving stock inside.

A programme is given to every visitor showing the position of each stall, the stallholder’s name, telephone number, email and website addresses and a one line (approx. ten words) description of the work being sold. Please write your entry for this on the booking form. It is essential that the stall content does not change from that described for the programme without prior discussion.