Oh What A Year!

As some of you may know, MUDFest is a buzzing, independent ceramics festival, proudly run by volunteers, set in the stunning, award-winning grounds of Ford Park in Ulverston, Cumbria. Held annually in mid-May, this not-for-profit event is driven by a mission to make ceramics accessible to everyone, fostering creativity and community by putting clay into the hands of others. With no entry fee and a host of free, interactive activities, it’s a celebration of all things clay.

Our 2025 festival marked an exciting second year, building significantly on the success of our inaugural event, the year before. With glorious sunshine beaming down, enthusiastic crowds flocked to our weekend of clay-filled fun and artistic inspiration.

We were thrilled to showcase 35 incredible ceramic artists and potters, handpicked to highlight the quality and diversity of this amazing craft. These talented creators traveled from all corners of the UK, including Helen who braved the Irish Sea by boat to join us from the Isle of Man!

Inclusivity is at the heart of MUDFest and we proudly celebrated small, trailblazing businesses like Small Ceramics from London and Yorkshire’s Movers & Shapers Pottery Tools. These innovators are using their engineering skills to make ceramics more accessible and eco-friendly, proving that creativity and sustainability go hand in hand.

One of the standout moments for me was the infectious energy brought by the children from the Chorley Inspire Youth Zone. They ran our handbuilding tables with such enthusiasm, sharing their skills with visitors of all ages. Their Clay Club, launched just a year ago with support from Kate Malone’s charity Fired Up 4, was a huge hit and they’re already counting down the days until next year!

Of course, no festival is complete without a little drama! During our smoke firing workshop, a towering plume of smoke caught the attention of the Cumbria Fire Brigade, who arrived on-site just minutes later. Thankfully, it wasn’t an emergency—they were simply curious about our event. To everyone’s delight, especially the kids from the Chorley Clay Club, the firefighters let them hop aboard their fire engine, adding an unforgettable twist to an already amazing weekend!

MUDFest 2025 was a whirlwind of creativity, community, and unforgettable moments and we can’t wait to do it all again next year! Planning for 2026 has already begun, with details to be released in the coming months.