Defying the pouring rain, local artisans opened up their shops selling quality crafts and festive gifts from the beach huts in Swanage, Dorset – and are keeping their fingers crossed for better weather in the run up to Christmas.
Although few people braved the seafront on Saturday 22nd November 2025 for the official opening of Artisans on the Beach, almost 30 artists and crafters will be in their beach huts along Shore Road every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 21st December 2025 selling unique gifts from the pop up shops.
Festive wreath maker Hilary, who has taken part in every Artisans event since 2014, was joined by town crier Andrew Fleming and Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield
Amazing home made gifts
Every Christmas the beach huts overlooking Swanage Bay are taken over by artists selling paintings and handmade crafts including Christmas cards, jewellery, glass, decorations, crocheted bags, decorative goods and much more.
This year, due to popular demand, there’s a couple of extra weekends to enjoy the festival, and it is expected to get especially busy when Swanage turns on its Christmas lights on Saturday 29th November 2025.
Town crier Andrew Fleming welcomed visitors to a ‘sunny Swanage on a warm November’s day’ and invited Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield to officially open this year’s event.
Beverley Bradley, who moved to Swanage in June, is one of eight new artisans to join the festival in 2025
Opened by Swanage town mayor
Mike Bonfield said:
“You know what, I opened Artisans on the Beach six years ago and the weather was just as bad, chucking it down with rain on a strong easterly wind!
“Despite that, Swanage is not very often like this – it is very unusual, as you know, and I am sure that the rest of the stay for our artisans will be much more welcoming.
“To be honest, I blame Jayne, our business development manager, for organising the opening on the wrong day and any complaints should be emailed to her!
“No, in all seriousness, I would like to thank her for all the work she has put into organising this event, and to thank all the artisans here for displaying all of their wonderful goods – enjoy your five weeks here!”
Swanage business events manager Jayne Moulder says people love the quality and range of the gifts on sale
“A really talented group”
Swanage business events officer Jayne Moulder was one of the original artisans selling textile gifts when the event began in 2014 shortly after the new beach huts were built.
Jayne Moulder said:
“I do know how they feel, I have been through all weathers with them, even snow, but we are hoping for better weather for the rest of this year’s event!
“This is the eleventh year and we now have 25 huts in use for the event, which will be home to a really talented group of people including eight new artisans with a really wide variety of goods to browse and to buy.”
Handmade glassware covered in silk embossed paper make an eye-catching display
“People love the quirky feel”
Jayne added:
“Right from the start, Artisans on the Beach was a really popular event, people love the quirky feel of having shops in the beach huts and the quality of the gifts that are on sale.
“If you go to big towns with their Christmas markets in wooden booths, you will find exactly the same kinds of manufactured goods on sale every year, but here we have truly unique ideas in such a wonderful location with views of the sea.”
Karen Boniface has her popular knitted Christmas carrots back on sale
Knitted nativity scene
Another of the original artisans, Karen Boniface, is back once again, selling knitted Christmas carrots with accessories and said she was making them long before a certain Kevin took to festive advertising for a major supermarket.
Meanwhile, Beverley Bradley is one of the newcomers to the festival, having moved to Swanage from Abu Dhabi in summer 2025 where she trained to become a silversmith and has a selection of her jewellery on sale.
Coastwatch volunteer Linda Holman has a knitted nativity scene on display to raise money for Swanage NCI alongside the crocheted bags she has for sale.
Swanage Coastwatch volunteer Linda Holman has knitted a nativity scene to raise funds for the charity
A public vote for best dressed hut
And artist Mark Page, a former corporate designer who has been taking part in the festival for the last six years, is offering to make 15 minute mini sketches of people’s pets this year, either from photos or from real life.
Once again, there’s a competition running for the best dressed, most Christmassy beach hut with winners set to be announced on Saturday 29th November 2025 after a public vote.
Last year, it was won by Crafty Pigeon Helen Hutson with her Christmas wreaths and decorations, with glassmaker Alan Stephens runner up and Carolyne Bell, who makes Christmas themed miniatures out of polymer clay, in third place.
Artist Mark Page is offering 15 minute mini sketches of pets at his beach hut
Further information
- See all stalls at Artisans on the Beach‘s Facebook page
