DAYSOUT
Quiet Days in Kent cont...
POTTERATI
town is home to Lisa McKean Jewellery and Workshops( lisamckeanjewellery. com); with sessions every Saturday and Sunday, a memorable day out can be found in this relaxed, hands-on jewellery-making workshop by the sea.
Using traditional silversmithing techniques, you will have access to a variety of tools, where you will learn to craft and shape organic, wearable pieces, paired with an abundance of tea and coffee to enliven your creativity. Choose from a variety of unique designs, including silver bangles, earrings, rings and sea glass, to infuse a coastal element into your special creation.
While in Whitstable, you can explore the Chappell Contemporary( chappellcontemporary. com) to discover handpicked modern art pieces. Instilled with enthusiasm and emerging new talents, the gallery is a space for appreciation and the belief that art can take any form.
Finish off your girls’ day by heading to Fable and Green, a café that blends antique treasures with expert barista-made coffee. Browse the vintage treasures while you enjoy handcrafted sandwiches or loaded Sunday roasts.
FOR STARTING SOMETHING NEW
If you’ re looking to harness a new creative skill this summer, you can explore The Drawing Rooms of Deal( thedrawingroomsofdeal. com). Set in the coastal fishing town of Deal, the studio offers beginner-friendly drawing classes, with an inventive, sociable environment for all ages. There is a no-pressure attitude, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in their own creative style and techniques.
Weekly art classes are held at The Gold Road Centre on Wednesdays and Thursdays, where you can experiment with a range of materials and drawing techniques. Workshops are held throughout the year in the historic Walmer Castle Education Centre, blending Tudor history with budding creativity, with coffee, tea and biscuits all provided.
Upcoming workshops this summer include Cyanotype Printing with Light and Natural Forms( 27 June); Walmer Castle Gardens Drawing and Painting Workshop( 18 July); and Portraiture for Beginners Workshop( 15 August). All workshops run from 11.30am to 3.30pm.
After testing your artistic flair, make your way to Linden Hall Studio( lindenhallstudio. com), an independent, contemporary art gallery in the heart of Deal. With a rolling collection of modern British paintings, prints and sculptures, the exhibitions invite new creatives and established artists to enjoy observing these unique pieces.
FOR GROUPS
A group day out can begin in the rural back lanes of Tenterden, where you will find Cowshed Workshops( cowshedworkshop. co. uk). Set on a rural farm, you will enter a creative haven where vibrant wildflowers and a host of friendly farm animals pair with bespoke hands-on group workshops.
For day-out experiences in June, enjoy basket weaving and create unique items using foraged twigs and hedgerow materials- perfect for beginners. For a two-day workshop, create handwoven rabbits or deers; each one is crafted using first-grade black maul willow, which you carefully bend and mould into your decorative figurine.
Escaping the rural lanes, you can explore the historic town of Tenterden, blending independent shops with crafted coffees. The Nutmeg Deli offers locally produced, handmade sandwiches and sweet delights, with local artwork hung on the walls for you to admire.
Finish off by heading to Ethel Loves Me( ethelloves. me), a sanctuary of rarities and one-of-a-kind items, with only two stores based in Tenterden and Rye in East Sussex. The shop showcases original pieces, collectibles and limited edition items created by local artisans. The shop regularly hosts regular
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