South Hams Art Trail returns with four new mini trails

More than 50 artists will open their studios, galleries and exhibition spaces to the public this month as the South Hams Arts Forum Art Trail returns for 2026.

The annual event will run from Saturday, October 10 to Sunday, October 25, bringing together artists and makers across the South Hams, with a new format intended to make it easier for visitors to explore smaller sections of the trail.

For the first time, organisers have divided the event into four localised mini trails – the Dart, Kingsbridge, Coastal and Western trails – allowing visitors to explore a more manageable selection of venues in a single outing.

The trail features artists working across painting, printmaking, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, sculpture, woodcraft and mixed media, with many exhibiting from their own studios or homes.

Anna Ventura, a veteran South Hams Arts Forum member and long-running organiser, said the opportunity to see artists work in their own surroundings was one of the event's main attractions.

“The Art Trail is an opportunity to see artists where they work,” she said.

“Visitors can meet the artists and see exhibitions live, which you wouldn't normally get to do.”

She said the idea was also about bringing artists together in a way that made it easier for the public to discover their work.

“The idea is about getting different venues together and concentrating the artworks together in the right way,” she said.

The new mini trails include venues stretching from South Brent and Dartington through to Dartmouth on the Dart Trail, while the Kingsbridge Trail brings together ten venues within walking distance in and around the town.

The Coastal Trail takes visitors through Malborough and Hope Cove, while the Western Trail covers venues including Loddiswell, Modbury, Ermington and Yealmbridge.

Each trail also include cafés, pubs and other places to stop along the routes, offering an opportunity to combine exhibitions with exploring local towns and countryside.

Among this year's venues are the Flavel Arts Centre and Anjeli's Studio in Dartmouth, Market Hall and Garden Mill Studio in Kingsbridge, Middle Soar in Malborough and Avon Mill Garden Centre in Loddiswell.

There are also exhibitions in less conventional settings, including artists' homes, workshops and studios.

The event has roots in an earlier event held in the South Hams during the 1990s but was relaunched in its current format in 2011 and has been held annually since, apart from a break during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The South Hams Arts Forum describes itself as an artist-led collective which supports local creatives through exhibitions, networking, collaborative projects and other events.

The 2026 brochure includes profiles of participating artists, giving visitors an insight into the different practices and inspirations behind the work.

Entry to the trail is generally free, although some workshops may carry a separate charge.

Opening times vary between venues, so visitors are advised to check before travelling.

The full trail map, venue information and artists' listings are available through the South Hams Arts Forum website.