We offer a range of art and craft workshops in the Lake District © Cowshed Creative
Fancy a chat, a cup of tea or browse through some art books in front of the fire © Cowshed Creative
Join us for relaxing creative days © Cowshed Creative
We offer a range of art and craft workshops in the Lake District © Cowshed Creative
Creative Courses in the Cowshed
Cowshed Creative
Inspiring Art and Craft Courses in the Lake District
With something for everyone
Workshops at Cowshed Creative are based in our two storey traditional Lakeland barn conversion. The art studio is a stunning open plan space and there is plenty of room to wander outside and take inspiration from the amazing landscape and environment of the peaceful Kentmere Valley
With inspiring teaching, a great choice of creative art, craft and heritage courses to choose from, join us and treat yourself to a wonderful experience with great company
Take a look at our 2025
Creative Workshops
We are taking bookings NOW!
We are so proud to receive this award for excellent 5 star provision from student recommendation. This award is verified by Craft Courses UK. A huge thank you to our fantastic tutors and to our students for such great feedback
★★★★★ The place was amazing – a beautifully converted barn in stunning surroundings
Michelle Craft Courses website
★★★★★ Cowshed Creative is a great day out. Lovely, quiet, picturesque location and welcoming hosts. There are plenty of different courses to choose from. Definitely worth a visit
Jane Johnson Google My Business
★★★★★ Fantastic craft workshop, brilliantly organised and a wonderful welcome! Thoroughly recommend!
Francis Google My Business
★★★★★ Another great art course at Cowshed! The venue is terrific, with a great welcome, tasty food and excellent facilities.'
Steve Craft Courses website
The majority of our classes have a maximum number of 8 students
This is to ensure that you receive lots of one to one help and support
from the tutor so you can make good progress and quickly develop new skills
We provide teas and coffees throughout the day and a home made tray bake
You need to bring a packed lunch. We are happy to recommend some great places in Staveley to buy supplies on your way here.
Our art and craft courses in the Lake District have parking available on site. We are based near Windermere and Kendal. Staveley railway station, on the branch bike that connects to Oxenholme mainline station, is 2 miles from the farm; a 10 minute bike ride or ½ hour walk. The 555 bus service goes through Staveley to Kendal or in the other direction to Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick. National Rail Enquiries
We provide a free parking space but as a greener option, if you live nearby and it's possible, why not come to an art and craft course by bike, or lift share with a friend. If you would like to know more about the measures we have put in place to make our business more sustainable, please check out our
Reviews For Cowshed Creative Workshops
All reviews were posted independently on
Google My Business, Craft Courses website & Facebook Reviews
The Cowshed
is an Amazing Venue ★★★★★
We had such a wonderful day on the Shibori course. The cowshed is an amazing venue, so inviting and comfortable and we were looked after so well with homemade cakes too! I would thoroughly recommend this as a place to undertake a creative endeavour and I will definitely be back to try another course!
Shibori
Lovely Spacious &
Light Work Space ★★★★★
July 2024
Helen
Google My Business
We attended the Shibori Indigo Dying class and it was just lovely. The venue is a haven of peace and quiet, facilities are spot on - a lovely spacious and light work space. The class was not crowded and very relaxed. We got the chance to work at our own pace with lots of help. Highly recommend.
Shibori
July 2024
Anna
Highly Recommend ★★★★★
What a wonderful day we had at the Shibori workshop with our fab teacher Kate. I’d arranged a surprise for our group of friends ( male & female) to celebrate a 60th Birthday. Everyone enjoyed the day in your lovely barn studio with the big log burner and to top it off George appears with a fantastic surprise touch of a homemade birthday cake We loved the peaceful setting I would highly recommend George and her team
Shibori
July 2024
Yvonne
Google My Business
Fantastic Weekend ★★★★★
Hannah was so skilled in helping me realise my dream basket! It is a wonderful venue, cannot recommend highly enough.
Basket Making
May 2024
Sue
A Beautiful Location for
a Workshop ★★★★★
George is an amazing, really friendly host. I’ve done three silver smithing courses there now with Gail, who is an excellent teacher and I wouldn’t hesitate to return.
Spinner Rings
May 2024
Vonny
An Amazing Place to
Learn ★★★★★
An amazing place to learn a new skill in a beautiful, peaceful environment. George is a wonderful host and I’ve really enjoyed the three workshops I’ve taken there with Gail.
Stacking Rings
Definitely Recommend
★★★★★
May 2024
Tracy
Lovely time at Cowshed Creative. Watercolour and pastel painting day. Beautiful setting, great tuition, wonderful hospitality. I am hoping to go again - Definitely recommend.
Lakeland Landscape
May 2024
Lesley
The Whole Weekend
was a Joy ★★★★★
I absolutely loved my weekend basket making with Hannah Ehlert at Cowshed Creative. The whole weekend was a joy, a meditation and a workout! On top of all that the venue is heavenly, the company was great, there was plenty of tasty treats and tea... and I came home with a basket that I adore. A big thank you to Hannah and George for hosting such a special weekend.
Basket Making
May 2024
Clare
Beautiful Barn
Brilliant tutor ★★★★★
A beautiful space for crafting. A gorgeous, warming log burner in a beautiful barn to greet us.Plenty of space to work. I did a modern calligraphy session with Claire who was brilliant.It was really fun, creative and with a lovely group who chatted away making it a very enjoyable morning's session....plus George's cakes are amazing!! Thank you.
Contemp. Calligraphy
May 2024
Amanda
Google My Business
Completely Absorbed
★★★★★
Just another thank you for yesterday. I was completely absorbed with learning a new skill and the time just flew by. I wore my new earrings out yesterday evening and everyone said how wonderful they were!
Aluminium Jewellery
May 2024
Isla
A Brilliant Day
★★★★★
Google My Business
The aluminium jewellery course at Cowshed Creative was a brilliant day. The location is stunning and inspiring for creative projects. George was a very clear and organised instructor. We all managed to make at least 3 items of jewellery and had more decorated aluminium to take home. I had a great day and the home made cake was a bonus!!
Aluminium Jewellery
May 2024
Jo
Fantastic Course
★★★★★
Google My Business
I really enjoyed my day at Cowshed Creative. The Autumn watercolour course was fantastic and the tutor, Karen, so helpful and encouraging! It was the first watercolour painting I had done since school so I was very much the novice but after my day I feel I can work on what I have learned and improve in my own time. The hospitality from the owner, Georgina, was lovely. All in a cosy, converted barn with a roaring log burner. I will book another day next year and look forward to returning!!
Lakeland Landscape
Oct 2024
Lara
Google My Business
I attended a sea glass jewellery course at Cowshed Creative with the tutor Gail Louise Jewellery and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Cowshed Creative workshop space is a lovely converted barn in a rural location. The workshop was engaging and I enjoyed the challenge of using materials I haven't worked with before. Everyone left with at least one item of silver and glass jewellery they'd made themselves. I would absolutely recommend both this workshop and location. I'll certainly be keeping my eye out for more!
Google My Business
Orla
Sept 23
Sea Glass Jewellery
★★★★★
Absolutely Recommend
I had a Fab Day at
Cowshed Creative ★★★★★
I had a Fab Day at Cowshed Creativeon on a silver clay jewellery making workshop. I was amazed to make some beautiful jewellery- George is a very good teacher and is very patient! Loved it and hope to come back one day for another workshop.
Silver clay Jewellery
July 2023
Shiromi
Expert Guidance and
Teaching ★★★★★
My day with Cowshed Creative was wonderful. Beautiful, peaceful surroundings combined with expert guidance and teaching helped me create lovely silver clay jewellery that I would never have thought possible. Highly recommeded.
Silver clay Jewellery
July 2023
Shanti Thomas
Absolutely Loved My
Day ★★★★★
At Cowshed Creative, the relaxed atmosphere, beautiful setting and delicious food all came together as a perfect place to be creative with the wire drawing. Thank you
Nature Inspired Wire Drawing
July 2023
Ro Thomas
Google My Business
The Surrounds Are Lush
★★★★★
Wabi Sabi (Raku) It was a lovely experience. The course leader worked to develop everyone. The food tasty , the fire toasty. Planning my next one
Raku Pottery
A Grand Day Out
★★★★★
July 2023
Elizabeth Ashton
Google My Business
A lovely day creating lovely jewellery - a welcome break from working in a full on job. The lunch was beautiful, the room was light and airy, but had a gorgeous fire lit when we arrived. The tutor was very good, she enabled us to be creative in our own way, whilst using her own creative expertise to guide us. All in all a grand day out and I will certainly look out for more creative experiences with Cowshed Creative.
Silver Jewellery
July 2023
Denise Nardonne
Google My Business
Fantastic Weekend ★★★★★
Fantastic Weekend at Cowshed Creative making baskets. We are thrilled with our finished basket. Hannah ran a great course with really good instructions, teaching us skills and techniques. With lots of one on one help as well as group tuition. The venue is perfect. We will definitely be doing another course here.
Basket making June 23 Kate Boissier Wyles Google My Business
A Truly Special Experience ★★★★★
I attended a 2 day basket weaving course and I would highly recommend it. Hannah is a wonderful teacher, hugely encouraging and with endless patience. The beautiful barn is a wonderful place and George a friendly and welcoming hostess. A truly special experience. Basket making June 23. Frances Hamlett
Really proud of my achievement ★★★★★
I spent a very enjoyable day at the Cowshed learning about mosaics with Kay. I was a complete novice at mosaics and am really proud of my achievement. Kay is an excellent tutor, explaining every stage clearly and patiently. The room is ideal for this course and is set in a stunning location. Thank you.
Mosaic June 23 Chris Google My Business
Definitely Worth a Visit ★★★★★
Cowshed Creative is a great day out. Lovely, quiet, picturesque location. Great food and welcoming hosts. There are plenty of different courses to choose from. So far I have enjoyed the mosaic course and the tie dyeing. Definitely worth a visit.
Mosaic & Shibori Indigo Dye May 23 Jane Johnson Google My Business
A Wonderful Experience ★★★★★
The oil painting portrait day run by Catherine MacDiarmid was such a wonderful experience. The combination of skilled tutoring, relaxing atmosphere and stunning workspace set in the gorgeous Kentmere valley was a perfect setting as inspiration for the day. The delicious homemade lunch topped off a great experience. My course was bought as a voucher gift for me and I would definitely recommend this if you are looking for a creative and interesting present for someone or just to treat yourself. Many thanks Cowshed Creative, I loved it.
Portrait painting May 23 Ro Thomas. Google My Business
Excellent Workshop! Highly Recommended it! ★★★★★
George was well organised, there was ample equipment for all, the pace was spot on, and the atmosphere was great. Warm, bright, spacious workshop. George made everyone feel relaxed and welcome. Her delivery was clear and easy to follow George was very encouraging and supportive to all in the class and was very knowledgeable. There was coffee and tea on tap, and afternoon cake was served with a smile. 😊
Silver Clay Jewellery May 23 Clare Burt Google My Business
Absolutely Loved the Workshop ★★★★★
George is a lovely teacher and gave each of us so much time and advice. I would very definitely recommend this workshop and would definitely do it again
Silver Clay Jewellery May 23 Alison Haseldon Google My Business
A Beautiful Venue ★★★★★
Very good course held in a beautiful venue. Liked the way the tutor was able to engage with students of different abilities and experiences. Portrait painting May 23 Richard C Craft Courses
Delighted with our Willow Tipi Structures ★★★★★
Hannah is an enthusiastic and encouraging teacher with a huge knowledge of her subject. The whole day was a very enjoyable experience and we are delighted with our willow tipi structures.
Willow Garden Structures May 23 Peter & Margaret Craft Courses
Fabulous Location ★★★★★
and relaxed learning environment with wonderful food
Willow Garden Structures May 23 Margaret Google My Business
Excellent Course and Well Organised and Delivered ★★★★★
I loved my day creating a willow garden support and was really pleased with how it turned out as well as everything I learned to do it again in my own time and with different materials. Thank you also for the delicious food and friendly welcome and a it was beautiful spot to spend the day to boot :-)
Willow Garden Structures April 23 Frankie Google My Business
We had an Excellent Day! ★★★★★
Came for a silver pendant and earring workshop, we had an excellent day and we’re really pleased with our end results! Gail is really approachable, knowledgeable and made the whole day really enjoyable for us all. George is a wonderful host and incredible cook! Looking forward to visiting for another workshop in the future, thank you!
Silver Earrings & Pendants April 23 Ellie Pearson Google My Business
Great Place and such friendly service ★★★★★
Great place and such friendly service ! What more can I say.
Mosaic Course June 22 J L Edgar Google My Business
The Venue and Food were Excellent ★★★★★
I had a great day making sea glass jewellery and am wearing my earrings with pride. The venue and food were excellent and I will be booking again.
Sea Glass Jewellery June 22 C J Google My Business
It was Absolutely Fantastic! ★★★★★
I was so excited for this course and boy was it absolutely fantastic. Both George and Gail made you feel welcome and at ease straight away. Lovely space for creating too… Nothing was too much trouble and wow the food… absolutely scrumptious. Gail was an absolute superstar… a great font of knowledge and shared her passion for jewellery making. Loved every minute and my spinning ring. Can’t thank you enough ladies.
Spinner Ring Jewellery May 22 Karen Rowan Google My Business
I Came Away Very Happy! ★★★★★
The course tutor, Sue, gave really clear instructions and was brilliant at helping participants at each stage of the process. The venue was lovely, lunch was delicious and George was really welcoming. I came away very happy and pleased with all the prints I'd made. Thanks so much.
Lino Printing Course May 22 Charlotte Treglown Craft Courses
Loved My Weekend Here! ★★★★★
New basket making skills learned, fabulous food and location and a really wonderful group of generous, supportive ladies! Thank you George for your hospitality and Hannah for your patience and wonderful teaching
Basket Making Course Oct 21 Teresa Cruse Google My Business
What an Amazing Experience! ★★★★★
I can’t recommend this enough, George and Hanna were perfect hostesses and the location was very welcoming with lovely homemade lunches provided.
Basket Making Course Sept 20 Stephen Frankish Craft Courses
Loved Every Minute of this Course! ★★★★★
Ihe place was amazing - a beautifully converted barn in stunning surroundings, providing plenty of space, light, warmth/ventilation for workshops. Catherine was superb - guiding us through the tools and techniques simply without overwhelming us. Her experience, style and approach created a relaxed, creative atmosphere where you felt able to experiment. Whilst there was a range of styles and experience amongst our workshop attendees, everyone was really supportive and the variety added to the experience and discussions. I learned so much during the day and left genuinely inspired to develop my painting further. Hugely recommended!
Oil Painting Course April 20 Michelle Kent. Craft Courses
Still Buzzing about it a Week Later! ★★★★★
I honestly can not speak highly enough about this course! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! Meg was fantastic and helped me every step of the way. She was so welcoming, calm and enthusiastic and left me wanting to go home and make dungarees for everyone in my family! George was a fantastic host. She made everyone feel welcome, kept us warm, topped us up with water, coffee and tea, and made the most amazing lunch - I asked for the recipe it was so delicious!
I really would recommend this course to anybody!
Drapes to Dungarees Sept 20 Jess D. Craft Courses
The Mosaic Class was Excellent ★★★★★
It was a small, friendly class so we all had plenty of individual attention from our teacher Kay, and we had a good selection of materials to choose from. The barn is beautifully converted with a great atmosphere and an enormous wood burning stove to keep us warm. The lunch was delicious and plentiful with yummy cake in the afternoon. The day was great value for money, I'm very pleased with my mosaic and I'll definitely be going back to learn more.
Mosaic in a Day. Sept 20 Jacqui Kent. Craft Courses
Hopefully this will be the start of a new hobby! ★★★★★
Throughly enjoyed the day. Venue is of the highest quality, Lunch was all homemade and delicious.
I was a complete beginner doing watercolours. Karen was very patient and I learnt a lot of techniques.
Thanks again George and Karen for a lovely day!
Lakeland Landscape Course Sept 20 Elizabeth T. Craft Courses
Highly Recommend the Course and Venue ★★★★★
Jo Dix is a an excellent teacher and very knowledgeable jeweller and stepped us through the whole process of Silver Clay, and the creative possibilities with the medium - well organised. Very happy with the day. The venue was lovely, a very warm welcome and lovely lunch from George. In light of the challenging health and safety around Covid 19, every care and precaution was taken by both the venue owner and teacher.
Silver Clay Jewellery Course Sept 20. Nisha Postlethwaite Craft Courses
Another Great Art Course at Cowshed! ★★★★★
The venue is terrific, with a great welcome, tasty food and excellent facilities. The Portrait class has given me some really great tools to improve my portraiture, with good help and encouragement from Catherine, the tutor. It's interesting to chat with other students to see different styles of working and ways to create portraits. Of course, social distancing is seriously maintained, providing a very safe feel throughout the day. Highly recommended.
Portraiture Course Sept 20 Steve Barron. Craft Courses
I had a wonderful day and would definitely come back ★★★★★
I really enjoyed making the spinner ring and found the tutor Amanda to be very patient and helpful, showing how easy the whole process of making a spinning ring can be, and the endless design possibilities that there are. The Cowshed was a really nice venue for the course and so tranquil. George was so accommodating with coffee and the food was superb!
Silver spinner Ring Course Sept 20 Jane Shaw, Craft Courses
The location is fantastic ★★★★★
Thank you Cowshed for a great Dry Stone Walling course. The location is fantastic in the Kentmere Valley. The course itself was fantastically hands on. I learned so much. We worked on a real section of wall and all the tools and necessary safety gear was provided or made clear what we needed to bring and do. I've been inspired that I have already repaired one wall and now lining up a new long section to build. The food and drinks were delicious and right on time when we needed it. Thank you again. I thoroughly recommend this course for any one thinking of doing a course in dry stone walling!
Dry Stone Walling Course Aug 20 Steve Tonkin. Craft Courses
The home made food was delicious ★★★★★
I thoroughly enjoyed the dry stone walling workshop. We had an experienced, encouraging and patient tutor, the setting was stunning, the home made food was delicious and I finished the day very proud of the wall our group had built together and confident I'd be able to continue walling on my own. I'll definitely be considering other Cowshed Creative workshops in the future.
Dry Stone Walling Course Aug 20 Julia Wilson. Craft Courses
Stunning location, inspiring and relaxing ★★★★★
Jo is an excellent teacher, she made it very easy for us all to produce great pieces. George is a great host and she looked after us with the most amazing healthy lunch plus fabulous cake! Highly recommend Cowshed Creative as a location and Jo Dix as a teacher. Will definitely go again.
Silver Clay Jewellery Course May 20 Annabel Williams. Craft Courses
Wonderful Shibori course ★★★★★
I definitely recommend Cowshed Creative if you would like to be inspired! Our lovely group experimented with indigo and cotton fabrics, the course arrangements and resources were great, the studio space is idyllic and all arranged with social distancing in place. Fabulous teaching from Kate and excellent lunch and cakes from George - Thank you, I will be back! Indigo and Shibori Course April 20 Alison Quigley. Craft Courses
Organisation was perfect as was the beautiful location ★★★★★
The Raku course was such an enjoyable event. Two excellent days. A lovely warm welcome from George on arrival. Chris was a fabulous, patient teacher and I made far more work than I expected even though I was a complete novice. The firing process was exciting and I loved the element of surprise as to how the glaze would turn out. Lunch and cakes by George both awesome. The barn was toasty warm and comfortable to work in. I wouldn't change a thing and would highly recommend taking this and any other course with Cowshed Creative.
Raku Pottery Course Oct 19 Marion Brown. Craft Courses
Gorgeous barn with huge log burner ★★★★★
Absolutely loved the venue - gorgeous Barn with huge log burner. George made us feel very welcome and provided some excellent lunch and a wide variety of dessert and homemade cakes.
Abstract Landscape Course Aug 19 Alison Leith. Craft Courses
My idea of a perfect day ★★★★★
Loved the course. Hannah guided us through with infinite patience and generously shared her knowledge and enthusiasm for this beautiful craft - I'm hooked! I'd highly recommend Cowshed Creative to anyone- it's a fantastic venue in a beautiful location. George was a fantastic host, and made us all feel very welcome. Great food, good company & crafting - my idea of a perfect day - I'm spoilt for choice as to which course to book next! Justine Burton
Basket Making Course June 19 Justine Burton. Craft Courses
Met some lovely people ★★★★★
The cowshed was lovely. Loved making my first wreath and found it interesting to learn what you can do. Teas and coffees all good and the cakes were amazing. Will be doing more classes in the future here. Finding the place and parking were easy.
Natural Wreaths Course Dec 19 Lisa Wilton. Craft Courses
Thanks so much for all your lovely comments