About Us

CHAFF - Cheddar Arts Fringe Festival

Cheddar Artists is a friendly, welcoming community of artists and makers based in and around Cheddar, Somerset, nestled in the heart of the Mendip Hills. We have been bringing local creativity to life for over ten years, founded by artists Sara Parsons and Katrina Atkinson, who continue to work, teach, and exhibit in the village alongside the ever-growing Cheddar Artists community.

Our name – CHAFF – has a story behind it. The trail originally launched as the Cheddar Arts Fringe Festival, timed to coincide with North Somerset's Arts Week every first May bank holiday weekend. Over the years, CHAFF became the affectionate shorthand that locals know and love, and the name has stuck ever since.

Each year we come together for the CHAFF Arts Trail – one of the most popular arts events in the area and a real highlight of the local calendar. Local artists open their homes and studios to the public, giving visitors the chance to meet the people behind the work, see art being made, and buy original, affordable pieces to take home. This year we are welcoming over 40 artists, making it our biggest trail yet.

Alongside the artists, visitors can take part in workshops and browse charity stalls raising funds for local causes, making CHAFF as much a community celebration as an arts event. The trail winds through the picturesque village at a relaxed pace – there's no set route and nothing is too far apart, so everyone is free to explore in their own time.

Whether you're visiting for the first time or the tenth, there's always something new to discover. We hope to see you there.

The Committee

CHAFF is run by a committee, each member taking on a different role. This year our committee members are: Adam Clutterbuck, Tim Large, Dilys Clarkson, Mim Archer , Lucy James, Ella Phillips and Jo Brimble.