Address

Samantha Dadd Art Studio
Beckford, Conderton
Nr. Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire
GL20 7PU

Contact

Tel : +44 01386 725679

A Good Day Out

The countryside around Bredon Hill inspires some of the finest designers, artists and craftsmen in the Cotswold area. A picturesque drive takes you through pretty villages and past the front doors of four open studios. They each have a shop that is guaranteed to thrill and inspire you. Meeting the person who designed and made a lovely object/painting is always a pleasure and following the route of Bredon Hill Open Studios allows you to do this at a leisurely pace, perhaps stopping for lunch at one of the friendly pubs along the way! In this largely undiscovered area, you will find a hidden gem, where the mixture of contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship brings quality and style in equal measure.

These are four very special and individual studios where you can browse in a calm and welcoming atmosphere as well as giving you the chance to buy hand made goods directly from the makers. So, if you are tired of Department stores and long for a more personal shopping experience you are on the right road! Discover plenty of excellent gift ideas, perfect presents for your family and friends. Exclusive textiles, ceramics and lovely watercolour paintings are all available.

Beckford Silk, Artist Samantha Dadd, Potter, Toff Milway and Bredon Pottery have produced a new leaflet (available at each studio and local Tourist Information Offices) to show where they are and the type of work that you can expect to see when you visit. Alternatively visit www.bredonhillopenstudios.co.uk which will not only tell you a bit more about the trail but also links up with each studios individual websites. Together, they make a permanent, open all year, arts and crafts trail that visitors can follow from January to December.

Beckford Silk

Beckford Silk is a unique country workshop for the hand printing of silk and other fine textiles. About ten people, mainly printers, designers, dyers and colourists, work at the centre where they make silk scarves and ties for museum and gallery shops throughout the UK and the rest of Europe.

Visitors are free to wander at their leisure through the print shop and dye room and past the sewing area. There are information boards explaining each process and visitors are encouraged to ask staff members questions as they work.

The retail shop and 'seconds' shop offer the chance to purchase finished scarves, ties and accessories, as well as a range of mix and match occasion wear, all at prices below normal retail. The café serves a delicious changing menu of light lunches and a selection of freshly baked cakes and pastries, all home made.

Samantha Dadd

Samantha Dadd is an established, professional artist who works from her Studio/gallery in the picturesque Cotswold village of Conderton. The village and its surroundings provide limitless inspiration for her landscapes and studies of flowers in their natural setting. A defining characteristic of her work is a sense of depth that draws the viewer into the picture. Evoking a feeling of peace and inner calm, Samantha's paintings will sit comfortably in any room and enhance your living space for years to come. On display you will find an extensive range of original paintings, limited-edition prints and art cards. Come and meet the artist, see her work and take the opportunity to buy directly from her.

There is also full programme of art classes that run throughout the year. For more information telephone 01386 725679 or visit www.SamanthaDadd.com.

Toff Milway

Toff Milway creates pots that reflect his interest in food and in entertaining with style. He produces, among many things, magnificent lasagne dishes, elevated cheese platters, pedestal fruit bowls, watercress dishes and wicked little sauce boats. He makes his stoneware pottery using a distinctive salt glazing technique, which creates lustrous surfaces and fine textures enabling him to make highly individual pots in which to cook and present fine food.

Toff had always wanted to live and work in a country setting and was lucky to find the Old Forge at Conderton, a place set amidst its own orchards. It has proved to be a truly inspiring location. Spring brings a spectacular show of blossom summer yields fine crops of old varieties of greengages, plums and damsons, and autumn provides apples and pears for both food and drink. With such abundance and variety he cannot resist making pots for them all.

Bredon Pottery

Tony and Sue Davies make a range of handmade, decorated earthenware pottery at their workshop in Bredon.

The blue and cream range is fresh and lively and suits many styles of kitchen, looking good in the simplicity of a Shaker-style setting or in the natural look of a farmhouse kitchen.

The creamware range is plain and undecorated except for a little textured 'button' enlivening the surface. Its strong shapes and the cool cream colour are very contemporary and complement food beautifully.

All pots are made and fired at the workshop, and customers can sometimes see pottery being made from the adjoining shop. Their pottery is ovenproof and dishwasher safe, and is designed to be both functional and a pleasure to use.

To find the Bredon Hill Open Studios simply turn off the A46 towards Beckford. Follow the signs to Beckford Silk and then continue back on the road that skirts the foot of Bredon Hill, stopping at Conderton and Bredon.

For more information, including open times, visit
www.Bredonhillopenstudios.co.uk or telephone 01386 725679.

Directions

By Road

Take the Beckford turn off the A46 following signs to Beckford Silk, then continue onto Conderton. Visiting Samatha Dadd Art Studio, Toff Milway Pottery, then follow the road to Bredon for Bredon Pottery.