Classes & Workshops

With two great universities and an abundance of independent businesses providing creative courses, Nottinghamshire is the ideal place to come and do a workshop or short course.

More and more people are swapping up holidays of relaxation and adventure for trips that expand their creativity and knowledge. So, if you’d prefer to return home with some fantastic new skills rather than souvenirs or a suntan, check out some of the excellent classes, workshops and short courses below. There’s a big variety, from learning the art of the perfect coffee, to dancing, drawing, or designing your own jewellery.

Scroll down to see the full list of workshops and classes coming up or click the links below to see what a specific business is currently offering.

Foodie Courses

If you’re a foodie, you’re in luck - you can learn just about anything in Nottinghamshire thanks to the wealth of specialist independent food businesses around the county.

First and foremost, we must mention the School of Artisan Food. Located in a historic listed building in the grand Welbeck Estate, you can enjoy state-of-the-art facilities while being taught by an award-winning team of practitioners. Courses range from baking, brewing, butchery, cheesemaking, preserving, foraging, chocolate-making and much more.

Speaking of chocolate, over at Sneinton Market you can get delectable dairy-free bars of artisan confectionary at Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates. This independent one-woman show whips up bean-to-bar delights, whilst also providing special tasting events where you can learn about the history and process of chocolate making whilst enjoying a glass of fizz and divine chocolatey treats.

Another homegrown local producer of enticing sustenance is 200 Degrees Coffee, who after 8 years in the business have now opened stores around the country. At their Barista School you can learn how to make a superb homebrew, perfect the craft of latte art and lots more.

Boozy Courses

Perhaps you want to impress your friends with an exquisitely prepared cocktail, learn the intricacies of your favourite tipple, or simply have a merry night out with mates. In any case, there’s a host of tastings, classes and experiences around Nottinghamshire to wet your whistle.

Wine lovers should check out the Vineyard Experiences at Hanwell Wine Estate, where you can tour the vineyard and taste the English sparkling wines made on the estate. You can also head to Weavers in the city centre; a family business that has been operating for over 170 years and hosts tastings in their fascinating Georgian townhouse.

If you like your interesting settings and enjoy hearing the history of certain drinks, head to Victorian music hall The Malt Cross for one of their Heritage Tastings, where you can choose from nights dedicated to beer, gin, rum or even prohibition era cocktails!

Gin lovers can see the process of distilling first hand by booking a tasting at Sneinton Market’s Redsmith Distillery, home to the award-winning Redsmith London Dry Gin as well as other fabulous gin creations. If whisky is more your tipple, Gauntleys Fine Wine, Whisky and Cigar Merchants hold tasting events throughout the year.

Arts & Crafts

Nottingham has a buzzing creative scene, reflected in some of the independent businesses that hold creative events and workshops.

Debbie Bryan in The Lace Market is always a delightful place to visit, and along with being an award-winning shop, this in-house design studio, creative space and award winning tea room hosts crafternoons, workshops and other events throughout the year. Learn crafts including wirework, textiles, lino printing and lots more while enjoying tea, cake and beautifully inspiring surroundings.

For anyone interested in making their own jewellery, there is no better destination than The Bead Shop. Along with sessions dedicated to silver smithing and beaded jewellery, they often host classes on crafts such as macramé or coaster making, and you can also book children’s parties, hen parties and team-building workshops tailored to suit your needs.

There are even more creative workshops available at the Hanwell Wine Estate, where their Rural Antics courses cover a diverse range of crafts including book-binding, stained glass, oil painting, illustration and embroidery, all taught in a beautiful countryside setting.

Get Active

Not only is it much easier to get into exercise when you have a regular class to attend, they are also a great place to socialise, have fun, and up your ability.

Learn the exhilarating art of salsa dancing over at Revolucion De Cuba. Their Salsa Social events, which take place each Wednesday evening, are completely free and suitable for beginners. You can even party the night away until 2am should you really get in the swing of things.

Another fun option is Schuggies Ceilidhs, whose friendly, jovial evenings of traditional Irish and Scottish dancing often include a live band and easy to follow steps.

Nottingham Trent University Short Courses

Each summer, Nottingham Trent University provide a range of professional short courses to help you expand your skills, create a portfolio, or get the wheels rolling for a career change. Named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards, you are ensured top quality teaching and a vast range of courses, including fashion design, architecture, photography or creative fiction writing,

Children’s Courses

Kids love learning new things outside of school, so whether you are wanting to get them into a new hobby or just looking for a way to keep them entertained, it's worth checking out some of the courses and classes available.

Get curious about science and creativity at Green’s Windmill and Science Centre. During school holidays they hold a variety of children’s workshops, which include topics from baking to science.

If your child is more of an arty type, Nottingham galleries New Art Exchange and Nottingham Contemporary both hold family sessions at the weekend where you can get hands-on with different creative mediums.