The Decorative Living Fair , 13 & 14 May, Eridge Park

The Decorative Living Fair is a popular annual fair held at Eridge Park, a very special venue. In May, the house is draped with wisteria and clematis, setting the mood for a glorious, relaxing day out. Visit www.decorativelivingfair.co.uk to see a video of the spectacular views over the Sussex Weald from the front lawns where the fair is laid out in marquees and gallery tents with covered walkways, making browsing and shopping comfortable, whatever the weather.

Antiques dealer, Hetty Purbrick, and embroidery designer, Caroline Zoob, started the fair seventeen years ago, with the aim of creating a carefully curated fair combining decorative antiques with fashion, jewellery and homewares. The fair quickly became known for the beautiful location, the varied exhibitors, the quality of their stock and the care with which the fair is organised and laid out. 'It's the fair I look forward to all year' is often overheard as customers walk around the fair.

After two years' absence due to the pandemic (during which many of the exhibitors took part in the Virtual fairs organised by Hetty and Caroline), the real fair is coming back to Eridge Park on 13 and 14 May. Visitors may expect inspiring displays by around seventy professional exhibitors selling beautiful English and continental decorative antiques, authentic brocante from the markets of Belgium and France, fashion, jewellery and plants. Many of the dealers have lovely garden furniture and decorative garden planters and ornaments for sale. You can browse the gallery of images taken at previous fairs, and sign up for the occasional newsletter by visiting www.decorativelivingfair.co.uk.

If the sun doesn't shine, you can have lunch in the pretty cafe with stylish food by Hattons of Royal Tunbridge Wells, and all the stands are under cover. Why not try an embroidery workshop - for details of workshops with @LizJonesmakes,@theembroiderybird and @ostrichandsilkworm, and informal sessions with @embroiderytherapy, please see www.decorativelivingfair.co.uk.

When the sun shines, it is the perfect place to spend a warm spring day, browsing, buying, perhaps stitching, enjoying the view from the tables set out on the lawns.

Practical stuff

• Free entry for children under 16. No other concessions.
• Young children must be accompanied at all times as there are tempting trees, a ha-ha, a pond and a swimming pool in the grounds.
• Please note not all exhibitors take credit cards, though many can be paid by Paypal, so it may be a good idea to load the Paypal app on your phone.
• Best to wear sensible shoes, whatever the weather.
• Plenty of free parking. Disabled Parking near the house.
• We are sorry but as Eridge Park is a Deer Park and there will be lambs along the driveway to the Main House we are unable to allow DOGS to the event with the exception of guide or assistance dogs.
• The fair is accessible for wheelchairs and there is an accessible lavatory. The fair is laid out in matted marquees with stretches of mown grass between. The grass slopes slightly. There is a ramp to the accessible lavatory.

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE

EARLY BIRD TICKETS

We have a limited number of Early Bird tickets with early entry at 09.30 on Friday for a two-hour period of "first dibs" shopping for keen antique hunters, followed by the rest of Friday and the ability to return on Saturday (not transferable).

STANDARD TICKETS

Friday 13th May - 11.30 - 16.00

Saturday 14th May - 10.00 - 16.00

FRIDAY Standard tickets holders wishing to return on Saturday will require a new ticket.

If you are interested in exhibiting at the fair, please contact Hetty Purbrick at HETTY.PURBRICK@GMAIL.COM

Download and print your Fair Map and Exhibitor list HERE