Creative workshops in the South West
Step out of your comfort zone and into one of these creative workshops in the South West
Boringdon Hall, Plymouth
The 16th-century manor hotel recently launched a series of gin-making workshops throughout June to coincide with World Gin Day (June 14, FYI).
The hands-on workshops, led by knowledgeable distillers, will begin with a welcome cocktail crafted using the hotel’s own gin, giving guests a delicious taste of what’s to come. Then, it’s an opportunity to master the delicate art of blending and distilling as attendees craft their own bespoke gin recipe. As everyone experiments with a wide range of premium botanicals, they’ll also gain insight into how to balance flavours into complementary concoctions. Creations complete, gins will be bottled and wrapped in a custom-made label, ready to show off at home.
Green Shoes, Moretonhampstead
Imagine the joyous (and admittedly smug) feeling of being complimented on your shoes, only to be able to reply that you, in fact, made them yourself in the wilds of Dartmoor. Oh, and did you mention they’re made of premium Italian leather to boot? Cue impressed reactions and probing of where exactly you made them.
The answer? Green Shoes in Moretonhampstead. The team run one-day shoemaking workshops where attendees can learn how to craft their own pair of boots or shoes – one of only a handful of places in the country holding such single-day courses. The experience covers the whole shoemaking process, from selecting the leather and choosing the sole to using specialist sewing machines to top-stitch and assemble the shoe upper. Once the shoes are force-lasted, the Green Shoes squad finish them off and post them to your door within a week.
With only four slots available per workshop, everyone is guaranteed personalised attention in the one-of-a-kind lessons.
Nook Houseplants, Plymouth
Gardening gurus and green-fingered wannabes alike are welcome at the creative workshops sprouting up at this Plymouth plant emporium. A growing line-up of curated sessions include the likes of terrarium, tabletop moss garden, plant care and propagation, repotting, and cactus garden. The leafy oasis also now showcases an on-site cafe so botanical fun can be teamed with brews and delicious bites.
It’s worth allowing extra time outside of the workshop to fawn over the foliage for sale, as attendees can get a sweet ten per cent off any plants. Private workshops for parties and corporate events are also available in-store or at a specific location.
Studio KIND, Barnstaple
The quality programme of innovative and dynamic exhibitions and events at this relatively new cultural hub has elevated the artistic offering in this north Devon town.
From Studio KIND’s location nestled at The Corn Store inside the town’s historic market, a creative team invite talented local makers to host workshops, artist talks, performances, art socials, residences and more. The line-up changes constantly but at the time of writing it showcases life drawing sessions, drumming experiences, printing workshops, watercolour classes, macramé making, ring crafting – the list goes on!
Fawen, Lerryn
Fancy having a go at curating your own floral arrangements? Look no further than the bouquet-making workshops held by Fawen at the Red Store in Lerryn. The relaxing sessions are a great way of letting your creative juices flow, learning new skills and meeting likeminded people, all the while crafting your own bunch of beautiful blooms to take home.
During the session, explore different flowers and foliage of the season, learn how to cut and care for them to maximise their vase life and glean tips for mastering pro floristry techniques.
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We choose the companies included in our 5 of the best features based on editorial integrity. Occasionally, some inclusions will be handpicked from clients with whom we have a commercial relationship.
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