Latest reviews

Mrs Smith reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"An absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. Thank you to everybody involved."

Dr Michel reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Wonderful fascinating trip"

Mrs Farrant reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Fabulous trip-of-a-lifetime What a fabulous trip, brilliant service. The trip was incredibly well planned and a fantastic itinery. We stayed in great hotels and our tour leader, local guide and expert were the best. We experienced so much of Japan in such a relatively short time. Although moving from location to location this was made as effortless as possible. The trip couldn’t have been better organised and the hands-on workshops with various artisans was something I’ll never forget. Our tour leader, local guide and expert were so knowledgable, friendly and fun. I can’t think of a thing to change. What a wonderful trip and worth every penny."

Mrs Muckle reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"My trip to Japan was so well planned and included so many diverse experiences It was wonderful. Lynn Cornish our tour manager was there to help when needed and a wonderful warm caring person. I would definitely consider another holiday with Arena. The whole experience in Japan was excellent, well organised, diverse itinerary showing many different aspects of their culture. Hotel standard was really good and our guide Yuka, was lovely. Lynn Cornish our tour manager was so kind and thoughtful to everyone making sure we had a wonderful holiday. Thank you to everyone. Edwina and Isabel from Worcester."

Mrs Steffens reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Interesting trip, great visits and workshops, also saw stunning scenery."

Ms Marty reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Program was well put together and delivered on my expectations. Everything was on time and went to plan. Arena Tour Leader Lynn Connor was excellent and went to extreme lengths to take care of everything and everybody. Japanese tour guide, Yuka, was helpful and knowledgeable."

Mrs Evans reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"The organisation and planning was excellent throughout. All our guides were lovely and made the trip really enjoyable. Wonderful experiences that I couldn't have found on my own."

Ms Mogridge reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Excellent itinerary including travel through rural areas, visits to textile experts, and workshops. All the arrangements were impeccable."

Mrs Parker reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"The trip went very well and everything was very well organised."

Mrs Cunningham reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Fantastic trip and I will definitely go on another holiday with Stitchtopia. Arrangements were excellent and the support for everyone on the tour was brilliant. I was very impressed with the content of the tour and the way in which Lynn and Mandy checked that everyone knew the plans and had made decisions for meals. They changed their plans in order that our needs were catered for. Amazing and lovely people!"

Mrs Prance reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Once in a lifetime trip - I thought - but now want to go back! Everything was above expectations. From Mandy being with us to Yuka our Japanese guide, travel and hotel arrangements plus all the places we visited and experiences arranged for us. Many wonderful memories. The whole trip was excellent from start to finish."

Dr Hill reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Trip to remember! Whenever I had a question, someone was always at the end of a phone to answer it. There were no difficulties with booking or payment and everyone I contacted was friendly & helpful. There was a good combination of sight-seeing and textile experiences. We went to places and had hands-on experiences that we could not have arranged for ourselves had we been travelling solo. Mandy was an excellent organiser and facilitator and our local guide was knowledgeable and very helpful. I’ll never forget the kimono museum and the quilt festival itself was quite astonishing, more so than I expected, and a wonderful finish to the trip."

Jane D reviewed: Ceramic sculpture for all abilities in Kent

"Having had no previous sculpture experience and considering myself to have no artistic ability, Brenda’s classes turned out to be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable things I have ever done! Brenda is a very gentle, intuitive and generous teacher and enables participants to create lovely personalised pieces in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I thoroughly recommend her courses."

Brenda Burgess Arts responded:

"Thanks so much for your kind remarks Jane and I look forward very much to seeing you at Godinton very soon."

Mrs Davies reviewed: Textile Treasures of Vietnam

"Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic. No more needs to be said. Everything was exceptional. Could not have been bettered."

Mrs Scorgie reviewed: Textile Treasures of Vietnam

"The tour was well organised and researched. The guide was full of interesting information and he was very friendly and helpful. The accommodation was of a very high standard as was the food. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. Thank you."

Mrs Jeffcoat reviewed: Textile Treasures of Vietnam

"Everyone was very helpful - I booked the land package with Arena and booked my own air travel as I was going onto Australia after the Vietnam tour. Arena, even arranged a driver and guide to pick me up and take me to the airport at the end of the tour as my flight was 3 hours earlier than the group who were returning to London. A well arranged trip with outstanding experiences. The specialist, Pat who accompanied us was great fun and made the trip worthwhile. Our local guides were outstanding. This is the second trip I have done with Arena and I will definitely book with them again."

Mrs Everett reviewed: Textile Treasures of Vietnam

"It was a wonderful experience. Everything was timed to perfection and the group I was with were excellent travel companions"

Mrs Mote reviewed: Textile Treasures of Vietnam

"Very well organized, the local agent had everything off to a "T". Group was the right size, leader was good."

Vikkie haines reviewed: Quilling for Mother's Day with Learn to be Crafty

"Fantastic learning course , delightful ideas for chocolate and sugar cake topper ideas"

Sarah Fowler reviewed: Corset making: Victorian / Beginners

"What a wonderful two days. I'm still buzzing from learning a new skill, meeting some lovely new people and meeting and learning with the lovely Lisa. Patience must be her middle name!! Will be back when I can ;)"

Esther reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Wow! Jo really knows her stuff! Thank you for an amazing day I am in love with everything I got to make and bring home! X"

Kerry reviewed: Corset making: Victorian / Beginners

"Brilliant course! Thoroughly enjoyed, it so much fun and Lisa is great :) Thank you Lisa!"

Peter Bilton reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"Excellent day with Steve, great tuition, everything provided in a warm and friendly environment. Would strongly recommend for anyone wanting to pickup basic carving skills."

Emma Watt reviewed: Bookbinding and sketching workshop at The Arienas Collective in central Edinburgh

"Superb course by Cass. Loved the materials used and how it’s transformed into an amazing hand bound book. Love mine so much!"

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Hi Emma. Thanks for the lovely review. We're delighted you're so much in love with your beautiful hand-bound book, and look forward to welcoming you back again soon. Best wishes, Lynn :-)"

Rhianwen reviewed: Fascinator hat making - gorgeous spirals millinery workshop

"I bought a private workshop for mum (and myself) as a Mothering Sunday present. I could honestly not have bought a better present and we both had a wonderful day. Rachel is lovely, and we thoroughly enjoyed her company. She is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and happy to share that knowledge We are both absolutely over the moon with our fascinators and look forward to wearing them. We will both be looking to book further workshops with Rachel in the future and could honestly not have wished for a better teacher"