The Dartmoor Artisan Trail – Meet the Makers

The Dartmoor Artisan Trail offers a rare opportunity to step inside the working studios of skilled craftspeople who live and work on the moor. From blacksmiths and woodturners to shoemakers, jewellers and printmakers, the trail connects visitors with real, contemporary makers practising traditional and modern crafts in their everyday settings.

Rather than being a curated tourist route, the trail invites you to step inside real working studios, watch makers at their benches and forges, try a hands-on experience, or simply soak up the atmosphere of creative practice on the moor.

Staying at Moorland View Cottage places you naturally on the Trail, allowing you to explore makers at a relaxed pace and discover the region’s craft culture as a living, breathing part of Dartmoor life rather than a staged attraction.

Below are some of the pioneers and tradition bearers you might visit along the Trail. You can often pop in to see them work, book a demonstration or workshop with them directly, or we can suggest an itinerary if you prefer a guided flow.

The Story Behind the Dartmoor Artisan Trail

The Dartmoor Artisan Trail was founded by Suzy Bennett, owner of Moorland View Cottage and a long-time champion of Dartmoor’s craft culture. What began as a way of quietly connecting visitors with real, working makers grew into a recognised trail celebrating the depth and diversity of artisan skill across the moor.

Suzy has also published a beautifully produced coffee-table book documenting the Trail and its makers. A copy is kept at Moorland View for guests to enjoy – offering deeper insight into the people, processes and places you may visit during your stay.

The Blacksmith – Sparks and Ironwork

Watch sparks fly in a 150-year-old forge where traditional blacksmithing lives on. Here, age-old techniques meet contemporary purpose as iron is shaped into practical and decorative forms. Many visitors enjoy a quick look in or – for a deeper experience – learning to make simple tools or decorative pieces themselves.

The Ethical Shoemaker – Handcrafted Leather and Vegan Alternatives

Discover the craft of bespoke footwear, where leather and vegan materials are transformed into beautifully made shoes and accessories. Workshops often include making a key ring, bracelet or small leather goods and offer a rare insight into an ethical, hands-on craft.

The Willow Artist – Sculptural Weaving

Learn about traditional basketry and sculpture with a willow artist whose work spans practical forms and expressive pieces. On the Trail you may have the chance to weave alongside them, exploring how raw plant materials are coaxed into elegant structures.

The Landscape Painter – Outdoor Art Walks

Take part in a guided outdoor sketch or painting session with a landscape painter whose work is rooted in Dartmoor’s ever-shifting light and terrain. These ‘art walks’ allow you to explore both the physical landscape and your own creative response to it.

The Upholsterer – Traditional Furniture Craft

Step into a workshop where traditional upholstery is practised with passion and precision. From repairing antique pieces to creating new soft furnishings using original materials and techniques, this is craft rooted in patience, touch and material knowledge.

The Felt Maker – Wool and Time-Honoured Techniques

Meet a maker working with wool using techniques that reach back centuries. Whether you’re interested in functional textiles, soft furnishings or more unusual traditions such as burial shrouds, this studio offers an intimate look at feltmaking and the stories woven into its materials.

The Textile Designer – From Silk Worms to Finished Cloth

See the full journey of textile craft with a maker who breeds silk worms and transforms their yield into designed cloth. It’s a rare opportunity to appreciate how natural fibres are coaxed from field to finished fabric.

The Woodworker – Mastery of Timber

Observe a modern master of woodwork turning unseasoned timber into beautiful and functional pieces. Workshops can include making small, bespoke items and give a rare insight into how raw wood informs design.

The Basket Maker – Traditional Weaving

Learn how to construct baskets from local willow or rushes in the time-honoured tradition of rural craft. These techniques connect the maker directly with the materials gathered from the Dartmoor landscape itself.

The Woodturner – Ancient Techniques in Action

Experience age-old woodturning on a traditional pole lathe – a method that predates modern machinery and brings a sense of rhythm and intimacy to making bowls, cups and more from locally sourced timber.

The Printmaker – Hands-On Letterpress and Print

Try your hand on a vintage press and learn how prints are made from metal type and etched plates. This artisanal form of printing celebrates patience, precision and the beauty of text and image made by hand.

The Leather Worker – Crafting Durable Goods

Join a leather worker to see how hides are transformed into beautiful, everyday objects. Whether stitching a bookmark or learning a basic technique, this gives practical insight into one of the world’s oldest crafts.

The Ecological Farmer – Farm and Community Craft

Explore the intersection of craft and land stewardship with a visit to an ecological community farm, where traditional farming practice and sustainable food culture meet.

How the Trail Works

The Dartmoor Artisan Trail isn’t a linear route with a strict start and finish. It’s a network of makers spread across the landscape – many clustered around North Bovey, Moretonhampstead, Chagford, Ashburton and Tavistock – that you can explore at your own pace. Visit workshops, watch skilled hands at work, and where offered, take part in short demonstrations or longer workshops.

Many artisans welcome visitors without prior arrangement; others ask that you contact them in advance to book a time or workshop session. If you’d prefer, we’re happy to share suggested itineraries and practical timing tips to help you plan your visits without feeling rushed.

Stay on the Trail

Moorland View Cottage sits right on the Dartmoor Artisan Trail and displays work from several makers, making it a natural base for exploring the crafts, stories and hands-on experiences that make Dartmoor’s creative community so unique. Together with quiet local insights, we share personalised suggestions with guests to help you weave artisan visits into walks, drives and relaxed days on and off the moor.

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