Spring workshops

Want to turn you hand at something new this spring? We’ve curated some of our favourite workshops going on in the South West this season

River Cottage, Axminster

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s famous cottage on the Devon/Dorset border is a magnet for discerning foodies who visit to indulge their passion for great food by feasting on produce-led dishes, or joining one of the cookery school classes or artisanal courses.

Spring is a lovely time to book onto one of the culinary courses as it’s when the landscape is lavish with ingredients ripe for picking and the kitchen garden is rife with fresh greens, herbs and early crops ready to cook with. From breadmaking and beekeeping to foraging and fermenting, River Cottage offers a smorgasbord of courses to pique specific palates and inspire elevated home cooking.

Courses are led by experts and leading chefs who pepper the classes with insider tips and tricks, so that every guest leaves armed with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently recreate the pro processes at home.

Explore the spring workshops at River Cottage.

Praktyka, Bideford

Creative types book into eco retreat Praktyka for the bespoke jewellery workshops, but linger awhile to immerse themselves in the inspiring setting.

Based in the wilds of north Devon, Praktyka is a multi-purpose space incorporating a workshop studio, stylish accommodation, gardens and a communal kitchen. Guests often make the return trip to switch off from outside noise and allow their artistic imagination to roam free – whether that’s solo or alongside kindred spirits, and whether they have experience in crafting or not.

Co-founder and resident artist Ania Wawrzkowicz hosts many of the workshops, and rather conforming to set dates or times, she keeps her courses flexible and tailored to customers’ needs. However, there are a few workshops to choose from: one-to-one three-hour, private small group, advanced six-hour, or wedding ring making.

Whichever appeals, the process is about creating organic, sculptural and textural pieces via the ancient technique of lost wax carving. Ania has found it a relaxing hands-on process of sculpting wax, which can be made that bit more personal by using imprints from coastal or countryside findings. Rings are carved just once and then cast in recycled metal of bronze, brass, gold or silver, resulting in a one-of-a-kind design.

Explore the spring workshops at Praktyka.

Philleigh Way Cookery School, Truro

Whether you wish to sharpen your kitchen skills or expand your homecooking recipe repertoire, consider yourself at beginner or intermediate level, we’d recommend scheduling a trip to this top-drawer cookery school tucked away amid idyllic woodland in south Cornwall.

Owner, head tutor and former pro rugby player Rupert Cooper leads globe-trotting and technique-honing culinary classes including the likes of Introduction to Sourdough, Taste of Tuscany, Asia 101 and Fish in a Day. The newest class on the schedule, Lunching in Lisbon, has already sold out in March, however a second date has been released for May.

The school hosts small groups of up to ten students, which ensures that everyone gets dedicated attention in class to get their skills up to snuff.

Explore the spring workshops at Philleigh Way Cookery School.

Pottymouth Workshop, Bristol

Popping up mostly in Bristol and Bath, but occasionally the wider South West region, Pottymouth offers feelgreat pottery experiences, singular sessions and courses for all abilities in indie-cool locations.

From artist studios to craft pubs, artisan taprooms to speciality cafes, founders and expert ceramicists Meredith Mason and Naomi Stokes carefully pick the locations so that their workshop attendees can sink delicious drinks and grab a bite to eat while getting their hands dirty (with clay, obvs).

There is a wide range of workshops to choose from, covering the likes of slab building, pinch pots and coil pots, as well as decorative techniques for personalising masterpieces once constructed. Following the workshop, pots are fired and glazed at Pottymouth’s studio ready to be collected two to four weeks later.

This spring, check out special edition classes including the Boobie Planters workshop in celebration of International Women’s Day (a lighthearted way to embrace self-love, empowerment and femininity), the Mother’s Day Vases workshop and a Ceramic Teapot workshop. The duo also host private parties for hens, stags, corporate occasions, birthdays, anniversaries and get-togethers.

Explore the spring workshops at Pottymouth.

The Good Florist, Black Dog, mid Devon

Led by lead designer Roberta Emmott, The Good Florist has over a decade of experience curating eye-catching displays for luxury weddings. The company is renowned for its off-piste concepts that play with nuanced colour palettes in dramatic locations, something that budding florists can learn about for themselves at the educational workshops which aim to inspire creatives to grow their own successful floristry business.

Workshops include The Floral Retreat, a five-day career change course that’s intensive, hands-on and equips students with all the knowledge and practise needed to sidestep into a floristry career. It’s held at the studio on Roberta’s own farm, rooted in rural mid Devon, with access to incredible local flowers and materials. There’s also an intriguing one-day contemporary workshop, Blostma, being held in a gothic mansion in the Cotswolds on March 26 which covers large scale installation and table design while also exploring the blurred lines between AI and reality. Attendees can expect to push the boundaries of floral design with experimental visual concepts and leave with a gallery of professional imagery and new creative know-how.

Explore the spring workshops at The Good Florist.

Enjoyed discovering five of the best spring workshops in the South West? Check out these must-visit foodie cafes across the South West.

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