London’s best workshops and classes

Fancy trying your hand at something new? Unleash your inner creative with this selection of London’s best workshops and classes

 

Cook up a storm

 

Is your child a budding cook? Then the sushi-making classes at Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, might be just the thing for them. The Kids Masterclasses, which take place in their Greenwich and Kings Road sites, are suitable for those aged 8-12 years (£40 on selected Saturdays). Children will learn how to make three types of sushi and come away with a goody bag including a certificate, bandana, rolling mat and chopsticks.

Not so suitable for children, or the faint-hearted, is the butchery course at The Ginger Pig. The esteemed butcher is known for its exceptional quality organic meat. In this class, you’ll pick up a new skill, get the best from each cut and learn about where meat comes from. You won’t go home hungry either as there’s also an informal two-course meal included. And you’ll take your cut of meat home with you. Classes start from £195 and run at the Moxon Street shop Monday-Saturday 7-10.30pm, and Sundays 4-7.30pm.

There’s just something about fresh, hand-made pasta… At Eataly, the foodie marketplace in Spitalfields dedicated to all things Italian, try your hand at pasta making for £70 per person. The Fresh Pasta Cooking Class takes place on selected evenings for two and a half hours. Led by in-house chefs, learn the techniques and stories behind dishes such as ravioli with ricotta and aubergine, among others. Then, feast on your creations and enjoy two glasses of Italian wine before taking the recipe cards home with you.

 

Get crafty

Mother’s Day is coming up on 19 March so why not treat yours with a card she won’t forget? The Botanical Mother’s Day Card Making Class (£60) at the Chelsea Physic Garden takes place on Friday 17 March from 10.30am-1.30pm. You’ll paint a unique card to give to someone special and learn botanical watercolour painting techniques. All materials are provided.

At Yougi Botanicals, you can try your hand at making candles and perfume with one of their regular workshops in Shoreditch. On Saturday 18 March for 75 minutes from 11am, learn from Yougi founder Emily Lynam what top, heart and base notes are and discover the natural healing properties of different essential oils. Then, make your own candle with oils, soy wax and wick. Tickets are £49 per person. If you’re feeling keen to expand your knowledge, stick arounduntil 2pm to try the Natural Perfume & Scent Creation workshop. For 90 minutes you’ll discover how to blend essential oils, learn about perfume notes and enjoy a glass of bubbly before going home with two of your very own perfume blends, all for £55.

 

Paint and sketch

For a truly civilised evening, try a Paint & Sip class in Wimbledon. In the artist, Katerina’s, studio, you’ll learn to paint a still life – or your own creation – exploring the use of oils, charcoals, pastels and watercolours, all while sipping on a glass of wine. The intimate class takes place on selected evenings and is priced at £30 per person.

The exhibition Africa Fashion (to 16 Apr) at the V&A Museum explores the vitality of this varied fashion scene through textiles, photographs and music. And now, you can have the chance to get involved, creatively, with Illustrating Africa Fashion. At this one-day course at the V&A (1 April), learn how to draw the fashion figure, fabric movement and texture. Then, digitise your sketches, before adding your own patterns to the design. Access to the exhibition is included, as are all materials. Tickets start at £80.

What could be more wholesome than sitting down for a good old guinea pig or rabbit sketching session?! At Wild Life Drawing, you can choose from a variety of furry friends. The Donkey and Foal class takes place on Saturday 8 April from noon-2pm at Hackney City Farm. Learn techniques from wildlife artist Laura Cuppage, whatever your ability. Tickets are £35 with £10 donated to the farm.

 

Flower power

Learn how to put together a beautiful hand-tied bouquet of seasonal blooms at Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden. Resident florists will teach you how to create a wild and foraged scented bouquet in this fun, relaxed workshop. The ticket price (£85) includes all materials, tea, coffee and a seasonal bellini.

Terrariums are the perfect low-maintenance living garden. Make one for yourself at the Terrarium Masterclass in Kings Cross on selected dates. Under the guidance of the Botanical Boys your creation will be made in a 3-litre glass jar topped with a cork lid. Tickets for the two-hour class start from £68.

 

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