All about Weird and Wonderful Wood
Weird and Wonderful Wood was founded more than 30 years ago by Tarby Davenport MBE, whose vision was simple yet powerful: create an affordable, accessible event where traditional crafts, making skills and creativity could be shared with families and future generations. The event was originally at Thornham Magna but later moved to Haughley Park.
From its early days as a small gathering of skilled woodworkers and makers, the festival steadily grew in size and reputation. Word spread and over the decades it has become a fixture in Suffolk’s cultural calendar. Held each May in the stunning grounds of Haughley Park, Weird and Wonderful Wood is a one-of-a-kind celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, community and the magic of wood. What began as a passion for traditional skills has grown into one of Suffolk’s most loved and distinctive festivals — a place where imagination flourishes and everyone is invited to take part.
Today, the event is led by Tarby’s daughter, Sarah Barker, along with Sue Taylor and Taliesin Wolsey and a dedicated crew who continue to honour the founding ethos: keep it inclusive, keep it creative, and keep it accessible.
At its heart, Weird and Wonderful Wood is about participation. Once you’re through the gate, it’s all included. Our “pay once, all activities are free” ethos means that all workshops, demonstrations and activities are free — there are no hidden extras. We are also happy for people to bring their own picnics if eating out is an unwelcome expense – we provide picnic benches and shady spots across the site – although we do have some lovely food stalls selling everything from vegan meals to burgers and chips!
The beautiful grounds of Haughley Park provide a great venue for people with mobility issues. Everyone is welcome at Weird and Wonderful Wood, and if you need a little extra support while you are visiting, please get in touch in advance to see how we can help you. Free tickets are bookable for carers and we have concessionary rates for disabled visitors. In 2025 we developed the Secret Fairy Garden – a quieter spot for anyone who wants to unwind and spend some time away from the crowds.
For more than three decades, Weird and Wonderful Wood has brought together families, performers, musicians, woodworkers and a huge community of creative people in a celebration of skill, imagination and community spirit.
Whether you come to learn, to play, to perform, to browse, to meet up with family, to picnic, or simply to soak up the atmosphere, we can’t wait to welcome you.
