Grand Spring Makers Fair & Sussex Distillers Festival

Paper Daisy return to The British Engineerium in Hove this Spring for a spectacular weekend of discovery and celebration of small creative businesses, for their much loved & FREE* to enter Grand Spring Makers Fair over the weekend 9th +10th May!

NEW for this Spring… Sussex Distillers Festival will be joining the event too! An exciting collaboration of 2 Sussex small business powerhouses doing what Sussex does best - together!

Sussex Distillers will add a dram of passionate distillers, brewers and winemakers, uniting to showcase the very best our county has to offer. From small-batch gins and vodkas to award winning rums, beers, wines, and hand-crafted cocktails. Soak up mini festival vibes from 12 specially selected pop up bars whilst enjoying:

• signature cocktails

• tastings & sampling

• live demos & talks

• shopping

• live music

A vibrant distillers marketplace in its own designated outside area overlooking the scenic views of the reservoir fountain & Hove park, where you can chill and take a break from all the exclusive shopping areas!

The Makers Fair spreads throughout the grand inside, former Victorian Industrial Coal Shed Hall with its glorious gallery mezzanine floor, and outside in the historic surrounding grounds providing plenty of room to explore each and every stall at your leisure.

Barista coffees, delicious locally produced street food, bakes & cakes with picnic areas, live entertainment and interactive experiences will be on offer too.

The weekend will bring together an excess of 125 exhibitors each day, making it one of the largest gatherings of creative small businesses in the local area this Spring/Summer season!

Each and every exhibitor is specially selected for their uniqueness & quality to create a shopping experience & fun weekend like no other. If you’re passionate about rare, locally produced, handmade or designer small emerging creative brands, then this is definitely one weekend not to miss! Meet & chat to all the exhibitors and make meaningful connections for on the day or future purchases.

Everything from:

- Fashion to fine jewellery & everyday accessories

- Ceramics to original art & contemporary illustrations

- Woodwork, metalwork & glass art

- Interior design, textiles & homewares

- Beauty, health & wellbeing

- Family, children’s & pet wares

- Seasonal items

- Tasty locally produced small batch food & drink specialties

All just in time for a refresh for the Spring/Summer 2026 season!

You will also have the option to book a fully guided tour of the British Engineerium Museum in steam! This is a fantastic & fascinating opportunity to learn more and experience the magnificent steam engines up and running, as they were when they supplied much of Brighton & Hove with its water supply. The museum is only available to visit in steam for a few days each year, make sure you don't miss the chance during your visit to the Makers Fair weekend! Booking is ONLY available through The British Engineerium - we highly recommend booking in advance as the tours are very popular and sell out quickly.

Lots more info to come - visit Paper Daisy Events for more details as we announce them in the run up.

Free entry to Makers Fair & Distillers Festival *

Sorry no dogs allowed (due to contamination risk to reservoirs)

No onsite parking, but non restrictive street parking close by.

15-20 minute walk from Hove Station, Bus stops through Brighton & Hove Buses close by.

Last entry 4.30pm each day

*entry to all areas of The Makers Fair & Distillers Festival is free, however we do offer a limited number of 'optional' Priority Entry Tickets to purchase for £1.50 plus bf to the inside Coal Shed Exhibition Hall which will give you immediate entry inside in the event of any queues forming. These tickets DO NOT admit you into the Museum Steam Tours, tickets must be purchased separately from The British Engineerium. There is a separate charge to Museum Tours.

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