Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns reviews

1 Oct 16'

Anna Wolfe reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"Had a wonderful day, I have no hesitation in recommending this course, was great fun learning a new craft amongst like-minded people, eating lovely food and sharing banter in a perfect setting. Annie is awesome and the Quirky workshops at the Cycle Cafe are a real treat day away from it all, can't wait to return!"

30 Sep 16'

Sallie Anderson reviewed: Wire garden sculptures - Geese with Susan Nichols :a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Perfect setting for a perfect course and lovely food- all homemade - if I lived nearer I would be there every month"

30 Sep 16'

Aine Kelly reviewed: Wire garden sculptures - Geese with Susan Nichols :a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"This course is fab - I had no idea what a large and lifelike goose I would be making. I also thought mine would never look like the course leader's model. But it does. I am so proud of it and love having it in my garden. The course was extremely well managed, great fun and totally absorbing. I plan to do more."

29 Sep 16'

Gill George reviewed: Bud Vases & Tea Lights in Porcelain with Gwen Bainbridge: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater- Cumbria

"This course was a retirement gift to push me outside my comfort zone- I have never been known for any artistic ability! I had heard so many glowing reports about Quirky Workshops. Gwen was a legend, patient, reassuring, completely understanding about my need to have everything explained several times! Other course members had some artistic skills and we were all able to produce finished articles at our own level. I loved the different techniques we learnt for creating patterns on porcelain- I had only previously used clay at school. My husband was amazed to see what I had produced. We were also well looked after with tea, biscuits and lunch, a real treat. I would recommend anyone to have a go at a Quirky Workshop whether you are experienced or not."

29 Sep 16'

Jane Greenwood reviewed: Bud Vases & Tea Lights in Porcelain with Gwen Bainbridge: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater- Cumbria

"I LOVE this workshop! I have worked in Art & Design all my life, but with very limited experience of ceramics. Gwen is an excellent and patient tutor, who has been able to help my naturally clumsy self to develop some skill in working with porcelain (I need a lot more experience though!) Greystoke Cycle Cafe is a lovely venue - and the refreshments provided throughout the day are wonderful. I would highly recommend both Gwen's workshop and Quirky Workshops at Greystoke to anyone interested in Arts and Crafts"

29 Sep 16'

Ann Stupple reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"I have been on a number of courses here and they have all been excellent. My herdwick doorstop is lovely and even admired by James Rebanks of "shepherds life' fame. The food is lovely too, I always eat too much!"

29 Sep 16'

Patricia Davies reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"What a great day ! The venue is lovely, with a great atmosphere. The course was excellent, all the materials required were provided. The tutor showed all the steps and no sewing is required. We all went home with our own doorstop - wonderful. There are so many courses available, I will be returning. Vouchers are available which make great gifts."

29 Sep 16'

Roslyn reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"Excellent and fun course. Great tutor with easy to follow steps. Amazing lunch and treats during the day. One of many great courses offered by the cycle cafe st greystoke. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend and would even attend this course again!"

29 Sep 16'

julia stanton reviewed: Wire garden sculptures - Geese with Susan Nichols :a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Excellent course by a very capable instructor, and we all came away with wonderful sculptures. Added to that, we had a delicious lunch in the cafe garden (price included in the workshop fee) in a really convivial atmosphere."

29 Sep 16'

Iona reviewed: Wire garden sculptures - Geese with Susan Nichols :a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"My second wire sculpture course, just love it. Sue is a very patient teacher and I came home chuffed with my creations!! Will be booking for next year."

19 Jul 16'

Kevin reviewed: Stained glass panel 2-day course: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Ullswater and The Lake District

"An amazing course! The teaching was excellent- Jackie is very good at explaining the technique and manages to get the best out of what that person wants to do. The setting is wonderful. The cycle café is a very relaxing place and the work-space is nice and cosy. The atmosphere is very friendly and the 2 days were just very enjoyable on many counts. The food provided by Annie is plentiful and delicious. I couldn't fault the 2-day course in any way. I came away, very pleased with the panel I made, and am wanting to carry on doing more stained-glass. Jackie is a very inspiring teacher."

18 Jul 16'

Cindy reviewed: Stained glass panel 2-day course: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Ullswater and The Lake District

"I really enjoyed the course ( stained glass ) and I am enormously pleased with the end result. I had never done stained glass before and would recommend it, Jackie is a very good teacher and patient. Great location and warm and friendly people, good grub too."

18 Jul 16'

Rob lea reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"First class course delivered with skill and awareness of all the participants abilities. Great hands on experience which Tony and wonderful wholesome food from Annie and her Team. Many thanks for a brilliant 2 days. See you in September for what I am sure will be another great course."

24 Jun 16'

John Lorimer reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"A fantastic 2 days, Tony is an excellent tutor providing the right level of instruction, support and advice whilst allowing you to get hands on from the start. The satisfaction of seeing your arrow fly from the bow you have crafted cannot be fully described. Thanks also to Annie and her team at Greystoke for keeping a team of newbie "bowyers" fed and watered with excellent food and refreshments- I cannot recommend the 2 days highly enough - go for it you won't be disappointed."

12 Apr 16'

Anna Williams reviewed: Whittling Birds in Wood ... the Woodpecker - with Dave Harter, a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"Other than some hamfisted attempts at DIY round the house, I've never worked with wood before, but this was just a joy, and I was amazed with the results we all achieved. David is a great tutor, good company, and the quality of his own finished work is amazing, so we knew we were in good hands. We started with a part trimmed down block of wood, with the bird outline marked up with pencil, a stanley knife, some sandpaper, and plasters. Once David had set us off, there followed two hours of slightly surreal near silence from all of us until lunchtime as we frantically whittled away, completely absorbed by what we were doing. I ended up with more plasters on my fingers than the rest of the group put together! But I was just delighted with the end product, due in no small part to the lovely design David chose for us, and my friends and family were hugely impressed too. Annie kept us fuelled with delicious tea and cakes, and the lunch of delicious home made soups and puds was worth the trip alone. More intense whittling and sanding in the afternoon, and voila, a bird appeared! It still needs a little work to finish it off (I'm waiting for my arm muscles to recover first!), but I have invested in a few good books on whittling and bird carving and am looking forward to doing a lot more whittling in the future. Thanks Annie and David, for a brilliant day."

10 Aug 15'

Julie Allan reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"An brilliant experience. Tony is a knowledgeable and skilled teacher - provide support and encouragement from start to finish. A quirky workshop not to be forgotten. Thanks also to the Annie and her crew for providing regular refreshment and sustinance."

5 Aug 15'

Joe Wright reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Great couple of days. Thanks to Tony's guidance started with ash tree section and came away with a long bow. Venue and food supplied by Annie also brilliant. Highly recommend."

3 Oct 14'

Kristina Stevens reviewed: Willow 'Hen and Cockerels' with Phil Bradley: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Ullswater and The Lake District

"As three art teachers, we had a wonderful and very informative day out on the willow course. Phil and all the Cycle cafe staff were lovely and it was a real pleasure to take part - not to mention our superb, quirky willow hares we made! Would thoroughly recommend!"

1 Oct 14'

Jacqui reviewed: Willow 'Hen and Cockerels' with Phil Bradley: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Ullswater and The Lake District

"An excellent day out. Beautiful setting, clear instructions & help. People can't quite believe that I made Harris, my willow hare."

19 Aug 14'

Alan McGuckin reviewed: Cob clay pizza and bread oven building with David Alty: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Ullswater and The Lake District

"An excellent introduction to skills in making an oven. The emphasis on touching and feeling the material means that even though you may wait until the spring to start it is more than just x sand to y clay but a real feel for what is required"

19 Aug 14'

Ian Grey reviewed: Cob clay pizza and bread oven building with David Alty: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Ullswater and The Lake District

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course. It was well structured and although the second day was rather slow it allowed us to fire up the oven and get some practical experience of how to operate it. Only one problem. The timing was poor. It is not practical to start building an oven in late summer early autumn. A base must be built, fire bricks and clay sourced and the oven left to dry. Drying is not likely to be successful in the autumn and the oven is sensitive to rain. The process really needs to start in the spring and the course should reflect that by being held in early spring."

19 Aug 14'

Rachael Shreeve reviewed: Stone Carving (relief & 3D) sculpture for Beginners/Ints. - 3D- with Simon Keeley: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Amazing what you can achieve in a day with a good tutor and convivial surroundings. Completely from scratch, we managed to make a block pattern, print and make up a lampshade, and have some printed material to play with at home too. Brilliant day to get absorbed into a new craft and not have to worry about anything else. Thanks Georgia & Annie : )"

10 Aug 14'

Ben reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I had a great time on the course, coming away with my own 1-piece ash longbow and the skills to do the same thing again. Thanks to Tony's informal and friendly approach we all came away with a lot of transferable knowledge on green woodwork, and thanks to his infectious work ethic we managed to cover everything from hewing a stave to properly preparing the bowstring and shooting off the first arrows from our new bows. Greystoke is a lovely little village and a warm welcome awaits for all at the cycle cafe."

3 Jul 14'

Doug reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Brilliant. Greystoke Cafe is a beautiful venue, the sun shone both days (which I guess doesn't happen every time) and Annie and her team kept us supplied with lovely food and drink. Tony is a great teacher - explains everything clearly, let's you get on with it and steps in quietly when the grain gets the better of you. I enjoyed it very much."

24 Jun 14'

rob reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Super venue and hostess keeping us topped up with food and drinks. The scheduled end time had to be extended on both days perhaps because the lovely warm days were not ideal conditions for manual labour, but great for sitting around admiring the view and enjoying a cuppa! Tony ensured everyone left with a working longbow (even in the event of a catastrophic failure) and stepping in to help in the event of any problems."