Over 50 stalls of festive art and craft.

The Ropewalk’s two-day Christmas Art Market is back after a one-year break due to Covid restrictions imposed late last year.

More than 40 craft-makers from around the area will be lining the corridors of Barton’s quarter-mile-long building with tempting ideas for Christmas gifts including jewellery, prints, paintings, handmade cards, ceramics and woodwork.

“This year, because of Covid-19 still being uppermost in people’s minds, we have made some alterations,” said Liz Bennet of The Ropewalk. “We have extended the area where the stalls will be situated further down the building as far as our Estuary Room.

“This room will be a refreshment area in addition to the Coffee Shop and will be serving, amongst other things a festive sharing platter, mulled wine and Bailey’s Hot Chocolate.”

There will also be some drop-in quick make sessions from willow artist Alison Walling.

The market, that takes place on December 4 and 5, also coincides with the opening weekend of the annual Studio Artists’ Show in the Artspace and the Christmas Exhibition in Gallery One where there will also be an array of crafts that are ideal for Christmas gifts.

On Saturday afternoon there will be a performance at 12.30pm of the newly established Singing for Pleasure Group that meets weekly at The Ropewalk followed at 2pm by the Barton Ukes. On Sunday afternoon the Barton Community Band will be playing.

There will also be two tombolas in the Artspace – a cake tombola and a makers’ tombola – raising money for The Ropewalk.

The Christmas Market will also coincide with the general release of tickets for Ropery Hall’s winter season beginning in mid-January that includes in the music section, the return of groups from Ireland and across the Atlantic, as well as theatre and comedy.

The Market runs from 10am to 4pm on both days and entry is free as is parking.