Whether you’re Christmas, birthday shopping or simply looking for an indoor day out, art galleries and craft centres make for fantastic destinations. What’s more, by visiting and purchasing, you are supporting local businesses – more important now than ever before.
So, dive in and take the opportunity to experience some of the creativity Wales has to offer with our top 6 destinations.
Craft in the Bay, Cardiff
Boasting craft from the Guild of 89 different Welsh makers from Makers Guild Wales, a visit to Craft in the Bay offers something for everyone. Discover handmade, unique ceramics, jewellery, textiles, paper & print, metalwork, glass and more – all at a range of prices to suit every pocket. The centre also runs regular workshops and exhibitions, and there’s an onsite restaurant.
Craft in the Bay is located, as the name suggests, on the “Flourish” in Cardiff Bay, opposite Wales Millennium Centre and near the Senedd Building. Online ordering is available via the website if you are unable to visit in person.
Open daily, 10am-4pm.
Ffwrwm Arts and Crafts Centre, Caerleon
Small, but perfectly formed, Ffwrwm Arts is part of the Roman settlement of Caerleon with its Roman Fortress, Baths and the Roman Legion Museum (part of the Museum of Wales).
Go along, explore the shops and be amazed at how much there is to enjoy. Don’t miss the sculptures, and you’ll also find a hairdresser, nail bar – and the all-important Snug café and restaurant!
Ffwrwm Arts boasts not one but two galleries, laying claim to Wales’s smallest gallery, Oriel Fach. Local artists are showcased with the exhibitions rotating regularly – so there’s always something new to see. Come back in the summer for the Caerleon Arts Festival.
An absolute gem.
Corris Craft Centre, Powys
Established for 40 years and featuring 9 individual craft studios, Corris Craft Centre claims to be ‘the best Craft Centre in Wales’. We’ll leave that to you to decide but there’s certainly plenty to see and do.
The Studios offer (all handmade by local artists and crafters) jewellery, candles, art, chocolates, glass, pottery, woodwork, and leather & wool – and there’s even a distillery on site.
Enjoy hands-on activities for all ages at the regular workshops and birthday parties are even available. For refreshments, there’s the popular Corris Café and adjoining Welsh Deli.
In the winter, opening hours may be limited, so please check opening hours before travelling. But do visit the website for online ordering options.
Brecon Craft Fair, Brecon
A monthly fair rather than a permanent fixture, the breadth of craft available at the Brecon Craft Fair makes it more than worthy of a mention in this list. It’s held on the third Saturday of each month in Brecon’s historic Market Hall, with extra dates in December.
You’ll find a massive range of crafts at the fair, which is the perfect place to pick up affordable handmade Christmas gifts. Many of the crafters are regulars, but you will always find something new.
Combine your visit with a look around Brecon where there are plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants, and a visit to the nearby Iron Age hill fort, Pen-y-Crug. You’ll find plenty of walks online if you’re so inclined.
Open 9am-4.30pm, 3rd Saturday of each month, plus extra December dates.
Crafts Alive, Llandeilo
Crafts Alive is a cooperative of designers and makers living and working in West Wales and the shop features a whole host of different arts and crafts. The shop is staffed by a different artist each day, giving you the opportunity to meet the makers.
As well as art, jewellery and photography, you’ll find metalwork, pottery, woodwork, cards, glass and locally produced jam, chutney and honey.
Crafts Alive is opposite the Cawdor Hotel and is open 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday.
There’s a wealth of Welsh talent just waiting for you
It’s fair to say that Wales has more than its fair share of arts and craft talent. We hope you will consider visiting and supporting these important local businesses. If you are not local, most offer online ordering through the websites linked to in the article.
Happy shopping!
