Creative Taster Sessions

Explore your creative side with our taster sessions in arts and crafts.

Led by experienced tutors, these introductory, hands-on sessions are delivered at our Gardens Gatehouse craft table, and offer the perfect opportunity to discover new crafting skills in a relaxed, small-group setting.

Features:

  • Introductory sessions to a wide variety of arts and craft techniques
  • Step-by-step guidance from expert tutors. No experience required
  • All materials and tools provided. Simply turn up, enjoy the process and take home what you create
  • Small group class sizes. Ideal experience to share with friends or family
  • Morning or afternoon sessions last two hours and fit perfectly into a day out at West Dean

Make a day of it!
Combine your creative session with a visit to our award-winning West Dean Gardens* or enjoy a delicious lunch in the Gardens Kitchen
*Gardens entry fee applies

Ready to take your skills further?
Our taster sessions are just the beginning. We offer hundreds of immersive, expert-led short courses in arts, crafts, design and conservation throughout the year, ranging from one-day, weekends and week-long experiences. 
 Explore our short courses

An introduction to Patchwork using silk - Taster Session

4 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Victoria Brown |
Suitable for all
£45

An introduction to Slow stitching - Taster Session

4 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Victoria Brown |
Suitable for all
£45

Introduction into intaglio printing method - Taster session

18 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Nim Higgins |
Suitable for all
£45

Introduction to lino printing - Taster session

18 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Suitable for all
£45

Drawing to Design - Taster Session

25 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Tanya Wood |
Suitable for all
£45

Exploring Tone and Texture in Drawing - Taster Session

25 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Tanya Wood |
Suitable for all
£45

Felt: Embroider and Embellish - Taster Session

1 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Victoria Brown |
Suitable for all
£45

Make a Felt Bracelet - Taster Session

1 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Victoria Brown |
Suitable for all
£45

Introduction to charcoal - Taster session

15 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Jerry Smith |
Suitable for all
£45

Batlik on Paper - Taster Session

22 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Alison Butler |
Taster
£0

Block printing a Tea Towel - Taster Session

22 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Alison Butler |
Suitable for all
£45

Intaglio printmaking with Tetra Pak - Taster session

22 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Alison Butler |
Suitable for all
£45

Introduction to Cyanotype - Taster Session

29 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Zoe Burt |
Suitable for all
£45

Introduction to Painting with Botanical Inks - Taster Session

29 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Zoe Burt |
Suitable for all
£45

Drawing in Pencil - Taster Session

5 Sep 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Tanya Wood |
Suitable for all
£45

Drawing Still Life - Taster Session

5 Sep 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Tanya Wood |
Suitable for all
£45

Print a Tote Bag - Taster Session

12 Sep 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Jenney Kelly |
Suitable for all
£45

Brass Inlay Block Printing - Taster Session

12 Sep 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Jenney Kelly |
Suitable for all
£45

Transfer printing onto fabric with a heat press

26 Sep 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Alison Butler |
Suitable for all
£45

An introduction to wooden spoon carving - Taster session

10 Oct 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Annie Slack |
Suitable for all
£45

An introduction to wooden spoon carving - Taster session

10 Oct 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Annie Slack |
Suitable for all
£45