Glassblower and blacksmith are not two professions typically associated with women. However, tucked away in Torquay’s picturesque Cockington Country Park, a group of talented artisans are redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur and a craftswoman.
Located within the beautiful grounds of Cockington Country Park, Cockington Court is a vibrant creative community, home to a diverse range of craft-based small businesses. At the helm are a small but mighty group of female entrepreneurs, each making a significant impact within their respective niche industries.
Comprising two main areas—the Stable Yard and Sea Change Studios – Cockington’s creative community boasts a variety of working studios that showcase an impressive range of skills. From traditional glassblowing and ironmongery to stone sculpture, chocolate making, and mosaics, there’s something to captivate every visitor. As a family and dog-friendly site, guests are encouraged to witness firsthand the skill and attention to detail involved in these specialist crafts. Impressively, over 80% of these businesses are either female-led or co-led.
Inside the Stable Yard
MooBoo Home
If anyone knows how to make a space fabulous, it’s Nic Bouchard of MooBoo Home, a specialist home décor business that she runs alongside husband Andy. As a lighting technician and with a background in set design for some of the largest productions in London’s West End, Nic has turned her skills to handcrafting stunning light installations using locally sourced wood. Each piece is meticulously crafted with a keen focus on the historical provenance of the materials. Visitors to the Stable Yard at Cockington can watch Nic and Andy in action in their workshop and even commission their own bespoke wooden light fitting, designed in collaboration with this talented twosome.
Torbay Gin
At Torbay Gin, Louise Guthrie stands out as a pioneering female maker in the world of spirits, co-leading the company with her son Logan. Louise’s expertise and passion drive the creation of this locally crafted gin, which captures the essence of South Devon’s coastal charm. Infused with a blend of botanicals, including handpicked herbs and citrus fruits, Torbay Gin offers a fresh and invigorating taste that reflects the region’s natural beauty. Each batch is meticulously distilled to ensure a smooth and well-balanced profile, appealing to both gin enthusiasts and casual drinkers.
Jox Bradford & Son Jewellers
Another talented mother and son duo, Jo Bradford and her son William create stunning jewellery pieces by hand, fusing traditional techniques and unlimited imagination into unique pieces that surprise and delight. Jo specialises in creating one-of-a-kind pieces that speak to the owner’s heart and carry special meaning. As a popular wedding venue, thanks to the 11th century church and onsite registry office, Jo is perfectly placed to add a special touch to any Cockington wedding. She offers ‘Make Your Own Wedding Rings’ experience days, allowing couples to create memories and custom rings they will cherish for a lifetime.
OurGlass
OurGlass has been a cornerstone of Cockington Court’s creative scene for almost 30 years. Founded in 1995, it is led by Trish Tranter-Edmonds, alongside her brother Mark and colleague Lee. Trish’s passion for glassblowing and dedication to her craft are evident in every piece she creates. Her colourful and distinctive glass art and homewares are hand-blown on site using traditional techniques, ensuring each item is unique. Visitors can watch the production process in daily demonstrations and purchase personalised items, making each piece a special reminder of their visit.
Rex Latham Blacksmith
An integral part of the village’s history, Cockington has boasted an onsite forge for more than 700 years. While his tenure has been slightly less than that, at almost 25 years Rex Latham Blacksmith is one of the Stable Yards longest serving tenants. Run by Rex and his wife Gilly Latham, they have been joined by daughter Katie, and visitors to the forge have delighted in seeing the father and daughter working alongside each other at the anvil. As traditional blacksmiths, they particularly enjoy the challenges of restoration and conservation as well as embracing bespoke and contemporary commissions.
Big Green Hound
Big Green Hound is a vibrant blend of colour, cord, and canines, driven by the creative vision of Caroline Clarke. As a female entrepreneur with an enthusiasm for all things canine, Caroline specialises in handcrafted, luxury dog collars, leads, and accessories, using paracord and other textiles. Each piece is handcrafted, using her expertise in braiding and knotting techniques to make products that stand out in a sea of mass-produced pet wear.
Beyond her colourful ready-to-wear collection which can be found in her working studio, Caroline embraces custom and bespoke requests, offering thousands of colour and design combinations. She finds joy in working with dog owners to craft one-of-a-kind pieces, ensuring every dog stands out from the pack.
Sea Change Studios
Female-centric businesses are also prominent in the Sea Change Studio area of Cockington Court, where a diverse range of industries are represented.
Flower La Vita
Vita, the creative force behind Flower La Vita, has transformed her passion for floristry into an award-winning enterprise based in the Sea Change Studios. Known for her innovative approach to floral design, Vita specialises in exquisite Funeral & Sympathy flowers. She also has a unique talent for incorporating dried flowers into her arrangements, adding texture, longevity, and rustic elegance to her creations.
Also represented are a stunning array of homewares from Janet Ventre Mosaics and Tez Roberts Ceramics, who uses the Raku technique to produce extraordinary pieces.
Beautiful jewellery which takes inspiration from Torbay’s UNESCO English Riviera Global Geopark heritage is on offer from Chrystine Jones, and local stone sculptor Nicola Axe uses her working studio to carve exquisite bespoke sculptures from a range of materials including Portland stone.
Delicious treats are made onsite by husband-and-wife team, John and Pam, at Chocolate Heaven Made in Devon. Finally, the ensemble is completed by award-winning Lynsey Beardsmore at Dandelions & Pearls, whose beautiful wedding outfits have recently seen her claim the top prize in the Bridal Seamstress or Tailor category at the 2025 Wedding Industry Awards.
The Seven Dials
There is also an on site café that is ran and maintained by a fantastic selection of women, 2 of whom being Jo and Kerry. Working with their predominantly female team, they provide delicious treats and warm customer service, always accompanied by a laugh or a smile.
Cockington Court Staff
Beyond the craftswomen of both the studio areas are 2 female members of staff who manage the creative site, Marissa, Centre Director and Maria, Centre Coordinator. Through supporting the talented female creators and managing events, art exhibitions and more, they foster an inclusive environment where all women can flourish.
Looking to the Future: Championing Female-Led Businesses
As the talented women of Cockington continue to grow their businesses, their vision for the future remains clear. Each entrepreneur is dedicated to their craft and committed to their community, blending tradition with innovation. Their efforts are not only about maintaining their own ventures but also about fostering a vibrant and diverse local economy.
Find out more about all the Cockington Makers.
Written and collected by Caroline Clarke.