creative courses .........across the bridge
It’s fun to do something different on holiday and there are plenty of choices around Allen Mill. Close by, we have a wonderful new complex where you can visit Allendale’s brewery, sample the organic bakery, café, buy a local print at the printmaking workshop or gift at the recycled crafts shop called MAKE. This exciting centre was originally a lead smelting area in the 17th century.The smelter had a fantastic flue built underground connected to two chimneys 3 km away up on the moor to take those nasty gases away. The relics of those chimneys and flues can be seen on an unforgetable walk.
THE BAKERY Throughout the year, Carrie runs bakery courses. The venue is also used by other groups such as lapwingcrafts.
ALLENDALE BREWERY is the first since the original Allendale Brewery closed in 1887. There are five main ales now and are available in the area including the local Coop, The Crown at Catton, Waitrose in Hexham and online. Brewery tours and tastings can be organised by appointment.
STARS provides a centre for the study and practice of the visual arts including traditional/historic techniques of painting and printmaking and contemporary artists' practice and has a shop and exhibition area.
FOLLIAGEALLENMILL Foliage offers a range of seasonal courses and is available for floral display bookings.
creative courses.......locally
THE ALLENDALE FORGE STUDIOS is a cafe and gallery offering affordable local Art in the centre of Allendale. Their workshops include textiles, printmaking, stonecarving and photography.
MAKE is the place where you can learn new skills, enjoy discovering latent talents and grow in confidence with all sorts of crafts. We hold workshops making books, clothes, felt, gifts and a whole range of lovely things. The workshop is above the cafe at Whitfield Village Pantry is a place to relax, browse for craft materials and join our weekly open workshop every Thursday. We can arrange your party, be it a kids birthday, hen party for some recycled wedding preparation, or just a group of mates who want a crafty day out. We look forward to meeting you in the workshop, a warm welcome awaits.
PENNINE PAINTING offers 3 and 4-day painting and drawing courses, covering a range of subjects. They have a purpose built, fully equipped working artists studio. Class sizes are typically five or six students, maximum eight. They will give individual support in the media of your choice. Tuition is with an experienced art tutor who is also a professional working artist. Courses open to all from the beginner to the more advanced practioner looking for a challenge. Even if you don't paint, you can visit landscape painter Lionel Playford in his studio at Rose House, Garrigill.
THE YURT @ KILLHOPE is a 24ft diameter amazingly creative space that can be hired for meetings, events and overnight accommodation. The yurt is playing host to a fabulous selection of workshops to help you get in touch with your creative side.
THE STATION GARDEN A restored Victorian railway station in a woodland garden in Langley-on-Tyne, near Hexham. There is a beautiful garden, woodland walk, café and art exhibition. Coursesinclude : Gardening - Art - Environment - Sculpture - Writing - Food from beekeeping or bookbinding to toymaking or tai chi. Learn and improve your skills and knowledge; create items from hares to slippers to take home with you. Just browse the list below and find out more about what you fancy by clicking on ‘more info’.
THE ART TOUR During the summer months and Christmas time, you can visit about 85 artists in the area who open their studio doors. It’s a super way to get to know the artist and talk about their work and you can buy unique gifts; from paintings, pottery, prints, wood carvings, furniture, glasswork to jewellery, clocks, textiles, chocolates and much more. Dorothy Lawrenson will be exhibiting at Catton, just behind the cottage.