Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden Barns

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Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden Barns

Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns has a new,spacious & airy, 60m2 teaching studio, now hosting 120+ Quir Thank you for your custom over the years.

QUIRKY WORKSHOPS
Renovated over summer of 2020, the 'Swallow Barn', is a beautifully spacious and airy Covid secure 60m2 first floor studio. with every possible measure in place to keep students, staff and tutors safe and well. This new Quirky Workshop studio allows plenty of distancing for up to 10 people using 8 separate tables, two hand washing stations, a one way system, 2 stairways, sanitisin

g and a large screen on which to project the live stream filming of tutor’s detailed work, allowing students to stay at their desks for all the previous ‘gather round’ moments of tutor demos. Lunch is provided on separate trays, taken at your desk in the studio or in summer a choice of outdoor seating as required. We’ve had very positive feedback from students remarking how very safe they feel, whilst at the same time, being able to enjoy a favourite crafting day out, under as normal as possible circumstances. Quirky Workshops offer 120+ courses each year in arts, craft and heritage skills courses from a lovely listed 17th century farmhouse in a perfect rural setting overlooking Greystoke Castle estate. Courses are led by hand picked tutors, many often nationally renowned. Please see our website www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk for all course details. The Tea Garden is now closed to walk in cyclists and walkers, the The Boot and Shoe on the village green is still open.

03/09/2026

**New extra Raku Pottery Day ** - just added! 🙂

Sun 4th October ... AM or PM

Dive into the ancient Japanese art of Raku – where fire, flames, and the magic of reduction come together to create stunning pottery. Picture beautiful coppery glows, crackling glazes, and those perfect, smoke-kissed effects that make every piece totally unique.

This exciting workshop will be led by ceramicist Bob and Denise Park, taking place at Greystoke Craft Garden on the morning or afternoon of SUNDAY 4th October .

A final chance this year for a fun and fiery morning or afternoon of hands-on smoke and fire. And, of course, fresh coffee and biscuits are included.🙂

for details & to book, please see
https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/ceramic-metal-glass-workshops/raku-pottery

There are plenty of B & B's locally, plus a lovely pub, the Boot and Shoe, please see

https://www.greystokevillage.co.uk/

for all offerings and check out airbnb too. We are an easy 5 miles west of J40 of the M6, where it crosses with the A66.

Here is our entire programme for the rest of the year in date order ..

https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria

Our new 2027 programme will be available very soon. Join our database for first sight - we never share emails or send out more than the one email per year - to introduce the forthcoming years courses.

If you wish to receive these emails, please use the below link to join the database. However, if you've been before - or joined one of our waiting lists - there's no need to enrol again to find out about our Art, Craft and Heritage skills ! 💚

https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/information/contact-signup

Hopefully we'll be welcoming you here one day soon ! X 😊💚

28/08/2026

Another super day with the lovely Roy Simmons last week, with a wonderful group of oil painters joining us — from complete beginners to improvers. 🎨.

Roy’s days are always relaxed, friendly and fun, and they start with a little fruit study as a warm-up — a great way to get everyone settled in and looking closely before picking up the brushes!

🎨 Roy Simmons — Solo Exhibition Tonight

If you’re free and near Cockermouth tonight, Roy is holding a solo exhibition at The Dot Gallery, with the private view taking place this evening.

Everyone is welcome, so do pop in anytime between 6–8pm — it would be lovely to see you there!

Roy's next courses here at Greystoke are:

Urban Landscapes in Oils
📅 Saturday 3rd October — NOW FULL

Breaking the Rules of Painting – Landscapes in Acrylics
📅 Thursday 15th October

We’ve also recently added several exciting new CHRISTMAS dates to our '26 programme,

AND a new RAKU workshop AM & PM on Sun 4th October.

➡️https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria

We're in Greystoke, (CA11 0UT) 5mi W of J40 of M6/A66 & Penrith, in beautiful Cumbria, the Lake District. Local accomm. and pubs, public transport, with Ullswater just 5mi away. See https://www.greystokevillage.co.uk/ for local info.

We're a perfect location to combine a workshop with a short break to the Lakes. Day courses include fresh coffee & tasty home made lunches.

Our new 2027 programme will be available very soon. Join our database for first sight - we never share emails or send out more than the one email per year - to introduce the forthcoming years courses.

If you wish to receive these emails and have not been here before, please use the below link to join the database.

We’d love to welcome you to Quirky Workshops for Art, Craft and Heritage skills ! 💚
https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/information/contact-signup

24/07/2026

July '26 workshop roundup

We take quite a few images of the workshops as they happen, though rarely get around to posting in the summertime - the garden beckons at the end of most days when its so inviting and peaceful, and suddenly the prospect of posting gets put on the backburner.

Here are a few from most of the July days - just a tiny taster of some of the student results 😊

Ceramic Green Man / Lady / Gaiae
Frances Winder @~ Meadows
Lyn Evans ~ Loose Botanicals in Watercolours
Mark Bradley - Little Owls
Margaret Jarvis x 2 Discovering Pen & Wash
John Harrison ..Buildings in Line and Wash
Mark Bradley ~ Ceramic Hares - off to be fired
Sara Cox ~ Wire Wrens
Lizzie H -Cox Stained Glass

There were quite a few other courses too, Fused Glass Hearts Pizza Oven build, textured Porcelain etc - sadly not enough room here to feature all.

We've just finished 3 days of Stained Glass with Lizzie and will soon be adding another single day for SG Panels - to the programme in November - prob Fri 13 but tbc. 😊

23/07/2026

🌿 New Botanical-Inspired Silver Jewellery Course ❤️💚

We're delighted to be launching this brand new 1-day Silver Jewellery Workshop, 'Inspired by Botanics' - we think it's going to be really special!

Taking place on : Sunday 23rd August 10am - 4.30pm

Spend a creative day learning how to cut out your own botanical-inspired silver shapes before transforming them into a stunning trio of pendant and a pair of matching earrings. Guided by Melinda every step of the way, and using professional tools and equipment, you'll leave with a unique set of handcrafted jewellery to treasure or gift.

Life long professional jeweller and tutor, Melinda Scarborough, will travels up from Hertford to take this new workshop.

We especially like Melinda's elegant Ginkgo leaf design, which creates a beautifully coordinated jewellery set 'inspired by nature'.

It's no problem if you're not an earring wearer. You can use all three of your handcrafted silver shapes to create a gorgeous pendant instead, making the workshop perfect for everyone.

✨ Suitable for beginners and those with some experience
✨ Create beautiful jewellery from solid silver.
✨ Take home your own handmade pieces at the end of the day.

Places are limited to ensure plenty of individual tuition, so early booking is recommended. We can't wait to welcome you for a fun, creative day in the workshop!
. full details below

https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/ceramic-metal-glass-workshops/botanical-silver-jewellery-pendant-and-earrings-day

Here is our entire programme for the rest of the year in date order ..

https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria

Please see greystokevillage.co.uk for local offerings and check out Airbnb too. We’re an easy 5mi west of Penrith and 5 mi from Ullswater and the glorious Lake District.

We look forward to welcoming you to the lovely village of Greystoke on the fringes of our wonderful Lake District X😊

19/06/2026

❤️🎨 After many requests from students - we've finally managed to secure a new date for this lovely workshop 🙂

'Discovering Soft Pastels' with Lyn Evans
Thursday 13th August

https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria/paint-paper-print/764-discovering-soft-pastels-with-lyn-evans

10am – 4.00pm £82 inc tasty home made lunch, fresh coffee and home baking
Material Charges :please bring your own. Full details on the link above

These super pics are from the last Soft Pastels workshop with Lyn 💚 - as always the desk easels really help with Pastels - and Lyn teaches gently from the front, step by step, using the camera and screen – as well as some ‘gather rounds' too when it works better.

There are plenty of B & B's locally, plus a lovely pub, the Boot and Shoe, please see

https://www.greystokevillage.co.uk/

for all offerings and check out airbnb too. We are an easy 5 miles west of J40 of the M6, where it crosses with the A66.

Here is our entire programme for the rest of the year in date order ..

https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria

We look forward to welcoming you to lovely Greystoke sometime in the future! X 💚

🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨

16/06/2026

A day learning about wildlife friendly plants, wildlife hedges,wildflowers meadows,dead hedges, bug hotels, wildlife ponds and we will learn how we as human beings benefit from being outdoors surrounded by nature.

We have a couple of places available on Saturday 11th July for our new course titled Wildlife & Wellbeing in The Garden based at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns, Quirky Workshops near Penrith in North Cumbria.

An opportunity to see what Annie has created in her gardens that surrounds The Swallow Barn , The Squirrel Barn & Poplin Dub.

Sounds like the perfect way to spend a Saturday in July 🍃🌼🐸🐞🐛🌸🦔

Please see the link
https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/print-and-gardens/gardening-for-wildlife-and-wellbeing-shelagh-todd

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZplCGJCOLs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

04/06/2026

Looking for a creative, calming escape? Join woodcarver Alister Neville for a day outdoors, carving your own decorative hardwood piece—be it a house sign, animal motif, bowl, or something entirely your own.

Alister arrives with three hefty, hand-built workbenches and a full set of razor-sharp tools for each participant. You'll have a selection of beautiful hardwoods—sycamore, ash, oak, - and plenty of inspiration to guide your design.

You'll be in the sunshine- or under canopies if it rains, the open-air setup is peaceful and inspiring. These photos show some of the lovely pieces students have created over previous workshops — from delicate butterflies and dragonflies to green men of the forest, and many nature-inspired designs. 🪵✨

Whether you're a complete beginner or have some experience, Alister's patient teaching style and expert guidance will help you create something truly special to take home.

We're in Greystoke, (CA11 0UT) 5mi W of J40 of M6/A66 & Penrith, in beautiful Cumbria, the Lake District. Many local accomm. options are available, local pubs serving food, and Ullswater is just 5mi away. Public transport is available to the village from Penrith station. See https://www.greystokevillage.co.uk/

We're a perfect location to combine a workshop with a short break to the Lakes. Day courses include fresh coffee & tasty home made lunches.

Alister's summer workshops are :

Fri 14th August (just 4 spaces left )
Sat 22nd August - now full

Full details and booking - see August:
➡️ https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria

We look forward to welcoming you here 😊

31/05/2026

Pics from some of the wonderful John Harrison Line and Wash painting days here in Greystoke 'Building in the Landscape’ in Line and Wash ❤️.. really impressive work like this is often the result.
Some travel considerable distances for John's workshops, appreciating his clear and clean style of painting (where the line work goes down first) and warm, relaxed teaching style which works perfectly with our overhead camera / projector/ screen. This means a Step by Step painting can easily be taught whilst all students are seated and following from their desks. It always make for a great painting day -we certainly can see how he's managed to accrue over 30k followers on Instagram ☺️
a recent lovely review ...
"My wife, Catherine, and I attended John Harrison’s wonderful workshop and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - the teaching, company, the catering & the fascinating location. As a pure pen & ink artist I had never dabbled with colour/wash and so was nervous, but John soon put me at my ease with his inspiring examples of bringing pen and ink to life with colour wash. His book too is a very useful reminder of how to perfect this wonderful art form. " (Book is on Amazon 'Line and Wash' or from John directly)

John's August'26 workshop day is full - but he still has spaces on his earlier course which are out of the main school holidays .. full details below

https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/paint-paper-print-workshops/buildings-in-the-landscape

Here is our entire programme for the rest of the year in date order ..

https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria

Please see greystokevillage.co.uk for local offerings and check out Airbnb too. We’re an easy 5mi west of Penrith and 5 mi from Ullswater and the glorious Lake District!

We look forward to welcoming you to lovely Greystoke X

21/05/2026

** Thursday 4th June and £20 off! **

A lovely painting day coming up soon with very popular local artist, Frances Winder, who'll be sharing tips and tricks for how to depict Water in the wider Landscape.

These lovely photos are previous student pieces (except the last which is by Frances) from previous years identical workshop -

Frances will demonstrate techniques in Watercolours - and Acrylics - and mixed media too - maybe even gouache if students wish. You can choose your preferred medium and watch only those demos - or try several techniques if you prefer.

A muddle up with our dates has meant there are still a few spaces left on this usually very popular day, so we've reduced the final spaces by £20 to £65! This includes tuition, fresh coffee, a home made lunch and a cream tea to close. Plus a lovely garden and studio in which to spend your day.

Full details can be found here:
https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria (all courses in date order)

or
https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/paint-paper-print-workshops
for the art courses.

We’re in Greystoke, (CA11 0UT) 5mi W of J40 of M6/A66 & Penrith, in beautiful Cumbria, the Lake District There are many local accomm. options, pubs ,and a Greystoke Summer Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool ... or Ullswater, 5mi for the fans of wild swimming. Public transport is available to/from Penrith

https://www.greystokevillage.co.uk/news/

We look forward to welcoming you here 😊

17/05/2026

Some ‘work in progress’ photos from our recent and very busy Pet Portrait needle felting day with 'Jane Makes' 🐾

We think they’re already looking amazing — even though most are still unfinished! Luckily, Corrie has sent us a photo of her completed piece: this beautiful Dulux Sheepdog 🐶✨

We’ve now added several new Needle Felting courses this autumn, run by one of these two amazingly talented tutors, Jane and Helen, — including another popular Pet Portraits day in mid-October.

If you’ve never tried needle felting before… be warned — it’s incredibly addictive and very satisfying too!

Upcoming workshops:

• Sun 19 July — Highland Cow
• Sun 16 August — Cheviot Portrait
• Thu 1 October — Blue Tit
• Fri 2 October — Herdwick Portrait
• Sun 11 October — Wren
• Sun 18 October — Pet Portraits
• Fri 20 November — Xmas Robin (new date)
• Sun 29 November — Xmas Robin (fully booked)

Full details can be found here:
https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria (all courses in date order)

or here:
https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/stitch-and-textile-workshops (info about all the Textile workshops)

We’re in Greystoke, (CA11 0UT) 5mi W of J40 of M6/A66 & Penrith, in beautiful Cumbria, the Lake District There are many local accomm. options, pubs ,and a Greystoke Summer Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool ... or Ullswater, 5mi for the fans of wild swimming. Public transport is available to the village from Penrith station.

We're a perfect location to combine a workshop with a short break to the Lakes, or make it a half day crafty treat if you're already coming. 😊 Day courses include fresh coffee & tasty home made lunches, plus a cream tea to close the day .

We hope to welcome you here soon! X

Address

Poplin Dub, Greystoke, Johnby
Penrith
CA110UT

Website

http://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/

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