Crafty Escapes in the Cotswolds, Herefordshire and Forest of Dean
Getting away from your everyday life and immersing yourself in a new experience at a craft workshop is a fantastic way to relax. Being creative is also known to boost your well-being and can have a great impact on your mental health. Not only do you have the chance to get hands on, flexing your imagination, but it’s a great way to spend quality time with friends and family.
There’s such an immense range of mediums available you can find out if you were born for willow weaving, glasswork, sewing or clay sculpting. We’ve curated a collection covering all aspects, and more, across the Cotswolds, Herefordshire and the Forest of Dean.
Cotswolds
The team at Larkswold combine the freedom of creativity with the relaxing countryside surroundings. It’s the perfect place to escape the real world for a bit and get to grips with a new skill. There are so many workshops on offer we’re sure you’ll find something that sparks your imagination.
Whether you’re by yourself, with a friend, or are planning a crafty hen do, Larkswold is the perfect place to be. Try wreath making, calligraphy, silversmithing, arm knitting, candle making, leatherwork, the list goes on! If you can’t choose, book a morning and afternoon session and add lunch in between so you can really immerse yourself in the experience.
Bolthole Retreats guests get 10% off workshops.
Where to stay:
Poppy Cottage, Pineapple Spa Cottage, Teagles Cottage, Stow House
Get your creative juices flowing with a workshop at Lechlade Craft Barn. Most of the workshops are held in a beautiful Grade II listed barn beneath an exposed beam A-frame roof. The workshops on offer include some great beginner friendly choices and a lot are very reasonably priced. There are also a range of smaller crafts available.
Learn a new skill like Tunisian crochet, begin a hobby in book binding or make a resin charcuterie board. There’s such a broad range of crafts on offer here so if there is a group of you visiting the Cotswolds it’s a great place to get together for the day. Celebrate a birthday with jewellery making, a hen party with flower crowns or get the family together for some block printing.
Where to stay:
Home to local crafters, makers and artists, Cotswold Glass and Crafts on Burford’s high street is a hub of creativity. Established by the owner of Goosey Glass, you can browse the work of candlemakers, woodworkers and eco-artists.
Glass fusing workshops are held by Goosey Glass and during a half day session you’re walked through making three beautiful creations. The workshops take place in a gorgeous 14th century listed building in the heart of Burford. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore the area and have a meal together after all your creative exploits.
Where to stay:
Zoe from Luna Loves Willow has spent years honing her skills in weaving and many other creative endeavours. Her experience running art based therapy sessions also makes her a fantastic teacher. For each workshop she creates a fun and relaxed environment where you can let your creativity take over.
Workshops take place either in her studio near Stroud, or at the beautiful Westonbirt Arboretum. Surrounded by the beautiful woodland it’s hard not to be swept away in the magic of willow weaving here. There are no rules for what you create, anything from a sculpture, wreath or an animal, the limits are your own imagination. Zoe guides you along the way so you’ll soon be a dab hand!
Where to stay:
This not-for-profit studio offers all things pottery. All money raised goes straight back into the studio. Resident potters work on-site and you can feel the creativity in the air. As well as longer courses, you can also do a beginners workshop to get to grips with this addictive craft.
There are two main techniques that you can learn here, throwing and slab-building. A professional potter will be on hand to demonstrate the process and you’ll leave with your beautiful, unique creation! Keep an eye out for special events on their website and make sure you book early as spaces get snapped up quickly.
Where to stay:
Forest of Dean
Rachel Shilston, Inspiring Creativing –
Join the friendly atmosphere at a Rachel Shilston mosaic workshop based on the Lydney Park Estate beside Taurus Crafts. Rachel believes everyone can be creative and her workshops are a chance to enjoy the downtime of both working with your hands and making something beautiful.
Start with a beginners workshop so you can learn the basics. All materials are provided and you benefit from a professionals tips and tricks. We’re sure you’ll leave with a piece you’re proud of! If you want to try something a bit more adventurous, you can recreate your pet as a mosaic, make a woodland animal for your garden or merge mosaic with stained glass and make a pot plant design!
Where to stay:
Husband and wife Katie and Charles have got creativity in their blood. Katie was a graphic designer while Charles ran his own printing company. They chose to escape to the beautiful Forest of Dean and began running their own pottery classes.
Try your hand at throwing on the wheel at a trial class, or book a longer session so you can really start getting to grips with this skill! Private parties and groups can book for a tailored workshop and you can include food to fuel your creativity.
Where to stay:
The Weir House, Beaufort Farmhouse, Lower Lodge Gatehouse at Kentchurch
Covering all tastes and showcasing a range of flavours, a group cookery class is something you will benefit from for a long time afterwards! Hart Barn has a diverse menu of classes on offer from fermentation to baking, sausage making to vegan Indian cooking.
Perfect for families there are children’s classes available as well so everybody can get involved. If you feel like you can hold your own in the kitchen, the team at Harts Barn can teach you about both curing and preservation or foraging. Explore the local area for ingredients like wild garlic, mushrooms and berries. You’ll then use these to make teas, savoury dishes, bread and something sweet to finish!
Where to stay:
Jen of Sew Forest of Dean has an aim to get people sewing. From her purpose built studio in Clearwell she runs both workshops and private one on one sessions. Jen has always been a crafter and has years of experience behind her, so no matter if you’ve never touched a sewing before, she’ll get you on your way.
Workshops include quilting, applique, fabric dying, and also a range of embroidery techniques. You can also cover the fundamentals of dressmaking so you can start your journey to making your own wardrobe of outfits!
Where to stay:
Herefordshire
Williams Handmade Leather Workshops –
Make a timeless and classic leather accessory using the best materials with the help of a passionate crafter. Sarah has worked as both a designer and a maker in the leather industry. Alongside teaching she also runs her own accessories brand. At the end of a workshop here not only will you leave with a finished item, but you’ll also have the skills to continue this craft.
The workshops offered cover either a full day or two day session to make a bag, a half day to make an iPod case or a belt or you could book a private one to one or two person day. All the classes are perfect for beginners and you’ll be kept going with hot drinks and cake!
Where to stay:
Outshot Barn, Beaufort Farmhouse, Lower Lodge Gatehouse at Kentchurch
This family run blacksmith company offers a slightly different crafting experience! The team combine traditional blacksmithing with modern technology so you can have a go at forging your own pieces.
There’s something for the whole family, with some sessions suitable for children. You can choose to forge axes, a sword, toasting forks, or make a couple of special rings. Afterwards, visit the nearby Viking Games to try throwing your axe, or book a blacksmithing and cider tasting experience which includes a tour of Weston’s Cider.
Where to stay:
Beaufort Farmhouse, Lower Lodge Gatehouse at Kentchurch, Kentchurch Court
Eastnor Pottery and the Flying Potter –
Husband and wife duo, Sarah and Jon, are passionate potters and together they offer both clay modelling and wheel throwing classes and workshops. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge making this a fun way to get to grips with this creative medium.
Clay modelling and potter’s wheel introductions are 1.5 hour sessions and you can leave your creations to be fired and glazed to be sent on to you later. If you’re staying for the weekend, a one or two day potter’s wheel course you will learn more of the entire pottery process, and get to spend longer at this fantastic spot near Eastnor Castle.
Where to stay:
Be immersed in the world of Indian cooking, surrounded by both the flavours and smells of spices and dishes, inspired by Rayeesa’s passion for Hyderabad. Having spent some of her childhood living with family in Hyderabad, her cooking is made extra special with secrets that have been passed down through the generations.
When you visit for a cookery class, you will make a range of dishes with a starter, main and a side. Rayeesa shares both traditional and modern cooking methods and gives you tips on where to buy ingredients and what to look out for.
Where to stay:
Outshot Barn, The Weir House, Lower Lodge Gatehouse at Kentchurch
