Christmas Short Courses & Events

Create memories and masterpieces this Christmas

Give the gift of a new skill this Christmas. If you're looking for gift ideas for creative friends and family, explore our range of arts and craft short courses.

Create beautiful Christmas decorations with upcoming short courses at West Dean. Our courses are suitable for all levels of ability and interest, whether that’s exploring a new hobby or developing advanced skills.

And if you’re not sure which course they would prefer, short course gift vouchers are also available so the lucky recipient can decide for themselves. 

Make it a handmade Christmas

Craft unique gifts in the workshops under the tuition of our talented makers at West Dean.

Three-dimensional wire animals 30 November to 3 December 2023 with James Ort
Leatherwork – slip cases for tools 1 to 3 December 2023 with Jeremy and Carla Bonner
Picture framing 3 to 6 December 2023 with Michael Bowyer

Looking for gift inspiration?

A thoughtful gift for someone who loves to sketch or write could be a decorative stitched journal. This bookbinding course will teach you techniques to make one-of-a-kind books and you will take home a beautiful handmade book.

For those that would prefer to try something new or even build some confidence at home before doing an onsite course, how about one of our online courses? We offer a range of subjects to immerse yourself in whilst benefitting from tuition by our experts. See all our online creative courses.

Gifting a camera this Christmas?

A photography course or gift vouchers towards one would be the perfect accompanyment. If you are thinking of buying a camera or laptop for your loved one this Christmas? Check out these DSLR photography and Photoshop courses and let them gain control of their new gadgets and be creative.

Gain control of your DSLR camera 5 to 7 January 2024 with Tim Savage
Photoshop – an introduction to creative image enhancement 2 to 4 February 2024 with Mark Howard
A beginners guide to photography – mastering the basics 16 to 18 February 2024 with Roy Matthews

Gift vouchers

Give the gift of creativity with a Short Course gift voucher

Spoilt for choice? Let your loved one decide at their leisure with Gift Vouchers.

£10, £25, £50 or £100 vouchers are available. They can be used for full or part payment of any course. Available to puchase by calling our Bookings Office on 01243 818300 (option 2).