For the past two years Sharrington Village Hall has hosted the Norfolk Jigsaw Festival. Due to its popularity, this is now to become an annual event.

We had a fabulous time this year with a really good attendance and great community spirit as visitors and locals tackled puzzles together whilst having a drink and munching homemade scones and cakes from the cafe.

It really does take a full year to prepare for each event as jigsaws need to be made and checked to ensure all the pieces are there. We are extremely grateful to those who have checked and kindly donated complete jigsaws which they no longer need.

If you have any unwanted and complete puzzles you wish to donate we’d love to hear from you! Please drop us an email by clicking here.

So why are jigsaws so important? Covid saw many housebound people returning to completing jigsaws. Jigsaws have many health benefits including reducing stress, improving fine motor skills, problem solving and boosting memory. A great way to relax.

But things have moved on and competitions have taken off around the World including the first World jigsaw Championship, in Spain, in 2019.

Recognising both the availability of pre-loved jigsaws and the need for people to find a relaxing hobby in 2024 we introduced a jigsaw event in our village hall.

Held over the August Bank holiday weekend we saw an influx of locals and holiday makers come to purchase jigsaws and maybe compete against the British jigsaw champion – Sarah Mills – in a timed competition. (The video below for the 2024 event explains things a lot better)

There is also a sector of the jigsaw world that collects old and rare jigsaws. They were catered for with Wentworth and Victory, wooden jigsaws. Children had their own puzzle section and we endeavoured to provide a range of sizes and topics to the range on sale.

Light refreshments and an 8,000 piece puzzle were available to occupy visitors. Whilst being an amazing challenge, the 8000 piece jigsaw was shelved for the 2025 event with smaller jigsaws available which were much more likely to get completed and indeed were!

It’s a fantastic event and  we look forward to welcoming you August Bank holiday weekend 2026!

2026 PRESS RELEASE
NORFOLK JIGSAW FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SHARRINGTON FOR ITS THIRD YEAR
Puzzle enthusiasts from across the country are expected to flock to Norfolk this August Bank Holiday weekend for the third annual Norfolk
Jigsaw Festival.Hosted at Sharrington Village Hall, the Norfolk Jigsaw Festival has quickly established itself as one of the UK’s leading events for jigsaw enthusiasts, attracting hundreds of visitors looking to discover new puzzles, hunt for pre-loved favourites and take on a puzzle challenge.
The festival is a must-visit for puzzle fans, with hundreds of new and pre-loved jigsaws available to buy. Every pre-loved puzzle is either completed or carefully counted before going on sale, giving customers peace of mind that they won’t be disappointed by missing pieces.
But there’s much more to the festival than shopping. Visitors can browse the Collectors’ Corner, take part in a timed jigsaw competition, or join others at the ‘Join a Jigsaw’ tables, where members of the public can sit down together and work collaboratively to complete a puzzle.
Younger visitors can head to the dedicated Children’s Jigsaw Den, featuring puzzle-themed crafts and activities designed to encourage the next generation of puzzle enthusiasts.
And, of course, no jigsaw festival would be complete without refreshments. Tea, coffee, cakes and other refreshments will be available throughout the day, making it the perfect place to spend a few hours browsing, puzzling and socialising.
The Norfolk Jigsaw Festival takes place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August 2026, from 10am to 4pm, at Sharrington Village Hall.
Entry and car parking are completely free, making the festival an affordable day out for puzzle lovers of all ages.
Whether you’re a serious collector, a competitive puzzler, a casual fan or simply looking for something different to do over the Bank Holiday weekend, the Norfolk Jigsaw Festival promises plenty of puzzles, activities and opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts.