8 of the best craft and hobby escapes in the UK
Escaping on a craft holiday in the UK is the perfect way to enjoy a new (or old) hobby while spending time in a beautiful location. It's a great way to enjoy some me-time and practice your craft while on a wonderful retreat with like-minded creatives. That's why we've picked the best craft holidays to book in the UK in 2024.
From becoming a master baker, to painting or learning a musical instrument, there’s a whole host of hobbies you can discover or rediscover on a carefully-curated break. To inspire you to get away from it all in 2024, we've brought you a round up of some of the best craft holidays in the UK.
These wonderful trips around Britain allow you to indulge in your favourite pastimes while soaking up the tranquility of one of the country's beauty spots. Whether brushing up on your painting skills in the heavenly Cotswolds, putting pencil to paper in the dramatic Peak District, or stargazing under the dark skies of Northumberland, there's a huge range of experiences to accommodate your interests.
Check out some of the best craft holidays in the UK below.
Watercolours in the Cotswolds
Have you ever visited a location so pretty you wish you could capture it on canvas? For those who love painting this will be a familiar feeling. If you're hoping to pick up or brush up on your painting skills this year, there could hardly be a more inspiring location than the Cotsowlds, with its gorgeous honey-pot villages and lush pastures.
Join Prima in the pretty town of Bourton-on-the-Water for three days of watercolour workshops with expert tutor Alison Carr. You'll find plenty of inspiration in the town's chocolate-box cottages, old-fashioned tearooms, and stone bridges spanning the River Windrush.
Stargazinging Northumberland
If you're someone with an interest in the stars and their constellations, Northumberland is the top place to go in England to see them at their best. The county has very low levels of light pollution, meaning it boasts some of the most pristine dark skies in England and has even earned International Dark Sky Reserve status.
Join Prima and expert astonomer Richard Darn on a three-day trip to Northumberland to learn more about these spectacular sparkly skies. You'll pick up new stargazing skills with visits to two observatories where there'll be talks, workshops, and demonstrations to look forward to.
Cycling in Yorkshire
These high-quality glamping pods near York offer great cycle-friendly facilities for roadies who enjoy life on two wheels. Only 1.5 miles from the Way of the Roses cycle route, York Holiday & Cycle Stop offers a great night’s sleep in the landscaped grounds, where you can take advantage of secure cycle storage and a bike wash area.
Bread making in Yorkshire
For those who love to bake bread, Highfield Farm is a great choice, where you can ‘prove’ your skills at the Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School. Situated in the charming market town of Driffield in East Yorkshire, this B&B offers a peaceful stay in a luxury property, as well as sourdough and cookery courses for all tastes.
Drawing in the Peak District
Another fantastic destination for budding artists is the breathtaking Peak District, where heather-clad moors, dramatic sweeping valleys and intriguing limestone plateaus provide plenty of inspiration.
Prima is offering a fantastic craft holiday with the company of expert art tutor Alison Carr in the glorious Peak District countryside. You'll be staying at The Peveril of the Peak, a welcoming country house hotel near the tiny village of Thorpe, the perfect base for exploring the National Park. Enjoy three days of workshops and relax in the heavenly surrounding countryside and manicured gardens during your free time.
Birdwatching in Suffolk
Situated just five miles from the RSPB’s Minsmere and Dingle Marshes coastal nature reserves, Trustans Barn is a superb barn conversion in Darsham surrounded by meadows. It's a treat for wildlife watchers and birders, and you can book a stay in The Swallow or The Nest rooms.
Aurora spotting and crafts in the Orkney Islands
If you're after a longer and more adventurous craft holiday, a cruise where you can learn new skills and explore new destinations could be what you're looking for. On a special 'crafst and Northern Lights cruise' you'll hunt for the ethereal Aurora and, while sailing, make delightful Aurora-inspired crafts like Northern Lights lanterns, stained glass angels and silver plated seaglass jewellery.
You'll visit the remote and tranquil Scottish Orkney Islands, with their fascinating Neolithic sites, towering sandstone cliffs and colonies of adorable seals. This cruise also takes you a little further afield, with stops in Iceland and the Faroe Islands
Music in County Antrim
Love music? We think you'll like the sound of the holiday experience at Teach an Cheoil, or the 'Music House' in English. Guests at Teach an Cheoil can enjoy music courses playing traditional Irish music with the banjo, mandolin, flute, whistle and accordion at the bilingual B&B set in the scenic Glens of Antrim, close to Ballycastle.
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