Brancepeth Castle Christmas Craft Fair 2026

Over 70 craft stallholders

Brancepeth Castle Craft Fairs have run since 1987 in the grounds and ground-floor rooms of Brancepeth Castle, a privately owned medieval castle a few miles outside Durham. The fairs are organised and staffed by the Dobson family, who have owned and lived in the castle since 1979, which gives the event an unusually personal character for a craft fair of its size.

Over 70 stalls display work selected for quality and diversity, covering fine art, photography, jewellery, textiles, pottery, glassware, leather craft, woodwork, metalwork sculpture, skincare, clothing, toys, household items, upcycling and local luxury foods and ales. Every stallholder has made or designed what they are selling. Most stalls are indoors, with others in the grassy courtyard, and craft workshops and activities run across the weekend.

The castle's own cafes serve home-made hot food and cakes made by the castle owners, with a second express counter and a German-style cafe in the gatehouse. Parking is free, as is the exhibitor catalogue, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.