Crafts & Wildlife 2026
Exploring Printmaking Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 20 – Sun 22 March
- Price:
- £240 (Veranda Room)
£258 (House Room or Garden Cabin)
Non-resident price: £210 (includes lunch and refreshments) - with…
- Vicky Hirsch
An opportunity to try out a range of printmaking techniques using a portable press and no press at all!
We will explore mono-printing, collagraph relief printing, and intaglio.
Back by popular request!
Book Exploring Printmaking WeekendWillow Basket Making Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 19 – Sun 21 June Begins 12 noon on the Friday, finishes 4pm on Sunday
- Price:
- £240 (Veranda Room)
£258 (House Room or Garden Cabin) – both prices include 2 nights’ accommodation in the main farmhouse, meals and refreshments and 21/2 days tuition
Non-resident price: £216 (includes lunch and refreshments) - with…
- Tess Wakeling
An opportunity to make willow baskets in a variety of designs: handbags, platters and decorations. An open weekend giving space for participants to choose what they would like to work on, with lots of inspiration and guidance if needed.
This weekend is suitable for both beginners and for those with experience.
There will be an extra charge of £20 for materials, and options to buy leather straps (£7) if making bags.
Tess began working with willow over 10 years ago. Her basketry work includes contemporary lighting, woven bags, sculpture and installation projects. During her studies on a City and Guilds qualification she became intrigued by the many ways that pattern and texture can be achieved using woven materials. She now works mainly in willow, which connects her to the land and to a craft that is functional as well as beautiful. Tess loves to pass on this ancient skill to others. To witness the healing potential of working with natural materials, and the joy that making your own basket can bring.
Book June Willow Basket Making WeekendMaking Mosaics Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 17 – Sun 19 July
- Price:
- £240 (Veranda Room)
£258 (House Room or Garden Cabin) – both prices include 2 nights’ accommodation in the main farmhouse, meals and refreshments and 21/2 days tuition
Non-resident price: £210 (includes lunch and refreshments) - with…
- Vicky Hirsch
Create a mosaic by recycling old crockery into beautiful panels. Learn how to cut, lay and grout, and enjoy the delights of deliberately smashing china! Vitreous glass tiles, mirrors and nuggets will also be available and please bring your own broken or chipped china to incorporate.
Book July Making Mosaics WeekendWomen’s Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 25 – Sun 27 September
- Price:
- £228 (Veranda Room)
£246 (House Room or Garden Cabin)
Non-resident price: £186 (includes meals and tuition)
A much-requested return of this weekend - to enjoy some favourite activities: doing crafts, reading, talking, walking, listening, yoga, having a sauna, singing, and being, together. We can do whatever we like, and, of course, eat plenty of good farm food.
Book Women’s WeekendTextile Crafts Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 2 – Sun 4 October
(begins 12 noon on the Friday, with lunch) - Price:
- £240 (Veranda room)
£258 (House Room or Garden Cabin) – both prices include 2 nights’ accommodation in the main farmhouse, meals and refreshments and 21/2 days tuition
Non-resident price: £210 (includes lunch and refreshments) - with…
- Mary Maguire
Please note: There will be a £15 charge for materials.
Immerse yourself in a tactile world of textile crafts.
Learn the art of needle-felting to make soft toys, pincushions, or small sculptures. Also create 2D pictures, embellish clothes or a hat, or make decorative repairs to holes in jumpers. You will learn embroidery stitches to make a work of art, or up-cycle a garment.
Book Textile Crafts WeekendMushrooms Weekend
- Date:
- Fri 16 – Sun 18 October
- Price:
- £219 (Veranda Room)
£237 (House Room)
Children & young people (3-25 yrs) £90 - with…
- Jean Binney and Martin Hawes
In the woods, on the downs, and in the fields of north Wiltshire, over 100 different species of mushrooms and toadstools have been found on our previous courses.
On this weekend, we shall explore fungal habitats, learn how to identify the big, the bad, and the edible ones while discovering their innumerable medicinal and culinary uses; the latter tested by way of fantastic fry-ups.
We will use proceeds from this weekend to make a donation to the Dr Patrick Harding Education Fund.
Book Mushrooms Weekend