14 of the best craft and hobby escapes for 2023
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14 of the best craft and hobby escapes for 2023
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 place. It's a great way to enjoy some me-time and practice your skill while on a wonderful retreat with like-minded creatives. That's why we've picked the best craft holidays to book in the UK this year. to book this year and next.
From becoming a master baker, to quilting or learning a musical instrument, there’s a whole host of new hobbies we’ve developed in the past two years thanks to spending more time at home.
To inspire you to get away from it all on a creative break in 2023, we've brought you 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 a beauty spot. Whether learning the secrets of upcycling on the edge of the spectacular Trossachs, satisfying sourdough ‘kneads’ in East Yorkshire or stargazing in Scotland, there's a huge range of experiences to accommodate your interests.
Check out some of the best craft holidays in the UK.
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1) Knitting in the Trossachs
Looking to take your knitting skills to the next level? Head for the Scottish countryside with Prima, where you can indulge in your favourite hobby at a beautiful retreat in the Trossachs National Park. You'll learn new techniques from knitting and crochet expert Samira Hill over six days. There'll be tea and coffee served throughout the day for you to get to know like-minded Prima readers and you'll have plenty of time to explore the gorgeous grounds of your hotel.
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2) Painting in the Trossachs
Another crafty getaway in Scotland’s serene Trossachs National Park, this painting holiday will allow you to practise your watercolour skills under the watchful eye of professional artist, Steve Bretel. You’ll spend six tranquil days at Gartmore House, an elegant country house and estate whose grounds will provide you with ample inspiration for your paintings. All are welcome, from paintbrush pros to those just starting out, and you’ll cover composition, tonal range, colour mixing, line and wash, and sketching in a small and friendly class.
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3) Upcycling in the Trossachs
Got mismatched chairs or a table you can't bear to part with? Well, Prima's upcycling retreat in the beautiful Scottish countryside could be for you. Here, you'll spend six days staying at a stunning 18th century mansion at the edge of the Trossachs National Park and learn the secrets of upcycling. You'll learn how to choose the right second hand furniture, the art of designing a piece, how to repair it, protect it and more. What's more, you'll be in the company of other lovely, like-mined Prima readers.
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4) 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.
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5) Quilting near Loch Lomond
Embroidery enthusiasts will feel right at home on this crafty retreat at Gartmore House in the Trossachs. This is the place to perfect your patchwork skills under the watchful eye of tutor Clare Workman, who ran her own textile arts business for many years and has been teaching at Gartmore House for more than a decade. At the workshops you will be taught a range of techniques and you’re welcome to bring along projects you’re already working on, or start something from scratch. There'll be morning and afternoon workshops to help you perfect your skills, with plenty of time to get to know fellow crafters during tea and coffee breaks.
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6) 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.
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7) Lace-making in the Trossachs
Another unforgettable creative break in the Trossachs, on this retreat you will learn all about the joys of lace-making. You’ll get four days of tuition from expert lace-maker Jean Leader while connecting with like-minded people away from the stresses of everyday life. Class sizes are small so you can expect personalised instruction based on your level of experience. In between workshops, you'll have plenty of time to get to know your fellow lace-makers and to explore the glorious surrounding countryside at Gartmore House. A perfectly peaceful activity in a perfectly peaceful location!
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8) 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.
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9) Learn crochet skills in Northamptonshire
Enjoy an escape to a hotel surrounded by 150 acres of peaceful parkland while brushing up on your craft skills on this two-night crochet retreat. You’ll be staying in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside at the welcoming Staverton Park Hotel and Golf Club where, over the course of two days of tuition, you'll meet other crochet enthusiasts and indulge in your favourite pastime under the expert eye of tutors Anna Nikipirowicz and Frederica Patmore.
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10) Brush up on your knitting skills in Northamptonshire
On another idyllic escape to the Northamptonshire countryside, you can improve your knitting while escaping the stresses of everyday life. Again you'll have the chance to work on two different projects over two full days of workshops, with yarn and patterns provided for both. Anna Nikipirowicz and Frederica Patmore are once again on hand to impart their wisdom from years of experience and to give you handy tips for your projects. In between your classes, you can take time to relax in Staverton Park's bar and get to know your fellow knitters.
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11) Make aromatherapy candles in the Trossachs
Love experimenting with scents? You can learn all about how the scents of the natural world can help us in our everyday lives at an aromatherapy aromatherapy candle-making workshop at Gartmore House in Scotland. This course will teach you all about ethically sourced essential oils and how to combine them into beautifully smelling candles. You'll find your perfect scent combinations, whether you're after something truly relaxing or perhaps a bit more invigorating. As with all the retreats at Gartmore House you’ll also have plenty of time to explore 100 acres of private grounds close to Loch Lomond.
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12) 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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13) Quilting in Norfolk
Located in the heart of the North Norfolk countryside, embroidery enthusiasts will be impressed by the Old Bakery B&B. This property boasts a quilt studio where visitors can sew to their heart’s content. Winners of eviivo’s ‘Bed, Breakfast and Beyond’ award in 2019, the B&B also offers a self-catering holiday cottage.
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14) Stargazing in the Scottish Borders
Located in the Scottish Borders on the edge of an International Dark Sky Park, Black Burn Lodge is a modern design boutique B&B offers guests use of their very own 200 mm telescope. Night owls can feast their eyes on up to 2,000 stars at a time and look up at the Milky Way, Andromeda Galaxy, meteor showers and Saturn’s rings.
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