Enticing Courses & Workshops In The Cotswolds
/There are so many exciting and unusual courses running in the Cotswolds. From gin making to perfume making - you will be spoilt for choice! We couldn’t possibly fit them all in our blog so we have handpicked a few that caught our attention and we think you might like them too.
We sometimes have guests who attend some of the following courses - so do take a look at the suggestions below to see if any could be for you.
For more details on any of the courses do click through to the relevant website.
Floristry And Craft Courses at The Covent Garden Academy Of Flowers
For over 10 years this mother and daughter team trained thousands of students at their renowned Central London design school, but now concentrate on their Cotswolds school.
They run a whole range of floristry and craft courses available for all levels throughout the year. We have listed just two but do check out their website as they are constantly updating and have a range of courses to suit everyone.
Signature Hand Tied Bouquet Workshop
The hand tied bouquet is an essential skill to master for any budding flower designer. On this completely hands on course you will learn the spiral technique which keeps any blooms in a fantastic shape.
Whether they are flowers for a bouquet to give, or simply to place in a vase at home - the hand tied technique gives a professional finish and style to any stems, and is a skill you will return to again and again.
Cost: £110
When: 7th october 2023
Where: High Street, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6HB
Where to stay: Delightfully cosy Honey Pot is just a 3 minute walk away and has everything you could possibly need including its own Large private parking space with EV Charger - and a late check-out.
Three Day Flower Design Course
If you are looking for an opening into the world of Flower Design then this is the short course for you. This highly popular course equips you with the confidence to design for various settings, whether it's your home, a special occasion, or simply for personal enjoyment. Topics covered include flower selection and care, hand-tied bouquets using the spiralling technique, contemporary arrangements, seasonal table decor, and the significance of colour and texture.
Cost: £595
When: 4-6th October
Where: High Street, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6HB
Where to stay: Honey Pot - see above
Other courses that run at the Academy of Flowers include: Two Day Wedding Course, Vintage Flowers One Day Course, Four Day Intensive Course, Meadow Style Arrangements.
Family run Honeybourne Pottery specialises in both wheel-thrown and slab-built pieces, creating functional hand-crafted tableware. For those of you wanting to try your hand at this wonderful craft they also offer workshops for complete beginners and those with more experience.
Their studio and tranquil setting, create a calm space away from the stresses of the outside world, where you can escape for a few mindful hours and learn about the beauty of clay. Workshops range from one-off potter’s wheel taster sessions, to longer courses; spanning 10-week terms, taught from their studio in Honeybourne.
Potter’s Wheel Half Day Workshop
Relax and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of throwing! Get your hands on an unlimited supply of clay and your own potter’s wheel & tools for the duration of this workshop. You’ll receive two in depth demonstrations and expert tuition throughout the session and you can take your best pot home on the day (pots will be boxed up for you).
They also run a taster workshop that runs for 90 minutes - see the website for more details.
Cost: £98pp
When: Saturday & Sunday morning, 10-1pm. May also run midweek subject to inquiry, minimum cost £450.
Where: 3 High Street, Honeybourne, Worc, Wr11 7pq
Where to stay: Delightfully cosy Honey Pot - just a 12 minute drive away, has everything you could possibly need including its own Large private parking space with EV Charger - and a late check-out.
Bee-Keeping
The bee farmers at Cotswold Bees Ltd produce high quality honey both in the jar and in the comb.
They have their own apiaries spread throughout the North Cotswolds and understand the needs of anyone thinking of starting out in beekeeping or anyone with a small number of hives who wants to take their beekeeping to the next level.
Their one-day and weekend courses take place in the purpose-built Bee Building at Cotswold Farm Park, between Stow-on-the-Wold and Cheltenham, and take you from complete novice to someone who has the knowledge to begin this wonderful and rewarding hobby. The courses are also suitable for those who have had bees for a short time and wish to gain some more experience.
The course covers: The life of the honeybee, How to set up an apiary, The beekeeping year, Equipment you will need, Working with the bees, Products of the hive, and a visit to the apiary to enable you to handle bees under supervision.
Cost: One-Day Course – £155.00, Weekend Course – £275.00
When: Thursdays and Saturdays
Where: Willow Tree House, Broad Marston Lane, Mickleton, GL55 6SG
Where to stay: Again, Honey Pot is our nearest cottage, a short 11 minute drive away.
If you prefer individual tuition, Cotswold Bees also run Bespoke ‘One-to-One’ or ‘Two-to-One’ Courses.
These courses fill up quickly so do check out their website to see availability.
Cotswold perfumery holds perfume making courses throughout the year where you can learn about the art and science of scent and make your own perfume. They offer both a one day course for beginners and an advanced five-day course who want to take their skills to the next level.
Perfume Making - Level One Course
If you are curious to learn about the art of how to make a perfume then this is the course for you. Discover the art and science of smells and learn how to make your own perfume on this one-day perfume making workshop covering both the theoretical and practical aspects of fragrance creation.
Cost: £250
When: Thursdays and Saturdays
Where: Victoria Street, Bourton on the Water, GL54 2BU
Where to stay: Two of our cottages are just a 7 minute walk from the Perfumery; Little Gem, and our newest addition Hideaway, both beautifully refurbished to the highest standard for the perfect getaway.
The Perfumery also runs an advanced 5-day course, see their website for more information.
The calendar at Daylesford is bursting with memorable experiences where you can immerse yourself in real food at the cookery school - and there are oodles of courses to choose from! We have picked a couple to whet your appetite (pardon the pun!) though they all look fabulous so do take some time to browse their events page.
Perfect for barbecue enthusiasts and anyone who loves food and the great outdoors.
Get ready to prepare two impressive open fires in their outdoor courtyard, the group will have fun experimenting with different methods and a variety of dishes, including cooking directly on the fire, cast iron cooking, working with larger joints of meat, marinades, grilling seasonal vegetables and more.
And there will be plenty of chilled wine, cider and beer to keep you refreshed as you enjoy the most delicious, flame-kissed flavours!
Cost: £210
When: 5th Aug
Where: Daylesford Farm, Nr Kingham, GL56 0YG
Where to stay: The Loft (pictured right), our gorgeous Cotswold stone wall and oak beamed property in Stow-on-the-Wold, is only a 9 minute drive from Daylesford. The Loft is Grade II Listed, beautifully refurbished throughout and has its own private terrace.
A well-stocked larder means you can always create delicious dishes at a moment's notice. Build your own store of long lasting mealtime saviours with this course that covers many different forms of preservation.
Cost: £210
When: 3rd August
Where: Daylesford Farm, Nr Kingham, GL56 OYG
Where to stay: The Loft, see above
Vintage, Contemporary Felt or Straw Hat Making Workshops
Every hat designed by Milliner Louise Pocock is hand blocked and hand stitched. Louise is known for her attention to detail along with her love for colour and contemporary twists on vintage styles for both men and women, and offers 1 day workshops at her shop in Chipping Campden.
Open to individuals and groups of all levels from beginners to advanced, this workshop is always a firm favourite. This is your opportunity to delve into Louise’s wonderful collection of old and new hat blocks to create a beautifully constructed hat of your own or as a gift to a loved one. Have fun blocking a beautiful hat with felt or straw to a high professional standard.
Cost: £120 for a one day workshop plus material ranges between £40 - £70
When: Contact Louise through her website
Where: Dragon House, High Street, Chipping Campden, GL55 6AG
Where to stay: Honey Pot is also located in Chipping Campden, a 2 minute stroll away!
Louise also offers individual tuition and group bookings, get in touch for more information.
Courses at the Cotswolds Distillery
If you’re looking to discover how the talented folk at the distillery make their award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin, their Gin Blending Masterclass is an experience you won’t want to miss.
The class begins with a welcome Cotswolds Cloudy G&T on arrival, whilst your host talks you through the history of gin and explains how this juniper flavoured spirit is made. You’ll then be taken on a tour of the distillery and shown around their research and development lab.
Then the real fun begins… Before blending your gin, you will nose and taste a variety of botanicals and distillates, ranging from fruity to spicy botanicals. You can mix the distillates as you wish, so you can be sure the final product will be your very own, personalised gin!
You’ll also learn how to make a Martini cocktail using your bespoke gin, and the rest will be bottled up to take away with you in a presentation box. They also include a 20cl bottle of their Cotswolds Dry Gin so you can enjoy a Cloudy G&T at home.
Cost: £100.00/per person
When: See booking calendar for dates
Where: Phillip's Field, Whichford Road, Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 5EX
Where to stay: Why not enjoy your newly crafted gin in The Loft’s private decked terrace with outdoor dining and sofa or even its luxurious roll top bath with its sky view!
Do check out the distillery’s other courses that are held at the distillery which include Tour & Tasting, Whisky Blending Masterclass, Cocktail Masterclass - though you might have a hard time choosing!
