Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns reviews

15 Aug 19'

Marina P reviewed: Relief carving & sculpture in hardwood with Alister Neville: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Relief Carving in Wood Workshop Me and my boyfriend recently attended a 1-day workshop at the Cafe, it was a wonderful experience, we will definitely repeat next time we're around Greystoke and maybe try another workshop. Alister was an excellent teacher, patient and kind and very able...we were both so pleased with our pieces at the end of the day. The food, homemade and organic, was fantastic and the service received during the day couldn't have been better. I 100% recommend it to anyone around the area, even if you're not a cyclist! The perfect place to enjoy a quiet tea and eat some delicious scones."

12 Aug 19'

Steve A 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 just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I enjoyed yesterday's oven course with David. It didn't matter that the weather was less than perfect; it was good fun and no one seemed to mind. There was a lot of enthusiasm amongst the course group and we all had a good laugh as well as learning something. Thank you to you both for providing the fab food throughout the day. Keep up the good work! Steve"

12 Aug 19'

Carly A reviewed: Needle-felt a Hare - with Annis McGowan. A 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Hi Annie, Thanks for organising today, it was fabulous and your lovely workshop definitely lives up to its name! see you again another time"

6 Jul 19'

Cath J reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"Thanks Pip and Annie from us both for such an inspiring course in stone letter carving. Your teaching was excellent - we're so pleased with our pieces and what a great group and perfect setting; the food was a real treat too. After my house name I feel inspired to carry on and have a go at something else, maybe like the relief carving that Dave did. I might try that - if I manage to I will send you a photo! With thanks again, Cath."

4 Jul 19'

Nick S 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

"Hi Annie & Dave, Thanks for a great day yesterday - David was a great tutor, the pace was great, his instruction clear and well explained. The food was lovely as well, and the setting was beautiful. I look forward to visiting again in October."

16 Jun 19'

Alison reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery - Textures in Nature' with Jo Dix: a 'Quirky Workshop'

"I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Silver Clay day on 8th June. Jo the tutor was excellent, offering the right amount of guidance and help throughout the day and I'm thrilled with the pendant I made. Also the food was brilliant and a wonderful addition to a great day. I would certainly recommend you to others and will look out for the new dates for maybe more silver clay....maybe a class for those who have already done one, or for the silver jewellery course. Thanking you"

5 Jun 19'

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

"Hello Annie, My sisters and I would just like to thank you, and Dave, for the wonderful day we had whittling our birds. Everything was fantastic, from your amazing food to us completing our birds with brilliant instruction from the very patient Dave. We are still reeling from what we achieved and some of us are still whittling and improving our birds further. Please will you pass on our thanks to Dave, we hope to come back to your lovely home to learn something new soon. Regards Susan, Christine, Liz and Linda"

3 Jun 19'

Sarah B 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

"This was just a one day course, very busy and hands on, a really fun day with Dave and 5 others learning how to tread the cob, make the 'loaves' and create a full size pizza oven between us. Fab food, great fun and the afternoon topped off with cooking fresh pizzas in another oven alongside the one we'd built. Would highly recommend."

3 Jun 19'

Karen reviewed: Needle-felt a Hare - with Annis McGowan. A 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Dear Annie and Annis Just a note to thank you for hosting such a fantastic day yesterday and making us feel so welcome and at home. I drove home smiling all the way with a very smart hare on the passenger seat of whom I am very proud. Annis taught the technique so well and her preparation was excellent and as discussed worth a lot more than £18!!! Lunch and refreshments were lovely (thank you also to Claire) and the whole day flew by. I have definitely caught the felting bug and am already planning a new project using the skills learned. A fabulous day, thank you all of you, Kind regards Karen"

27 Apr 19'

Carol Ward reviewed: 'Applique & stitch' discovering Machine embroidery: a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"A thoroughly enjoyable day working with the very talented Sarah Ames. I loved seeing her beautiful workmanship and she was encouraging and patient in ensuring we all produced some amazing work. It was great to meet so many interesting people and we were made to feel very welcome in Annie’s home. Thank you ?"

15 Jan 19'

Karen reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I had such a splendid time at the café last Saturday I wanted to write and say a special thank you. I've never been to a craft workshop before, and, given the extensive and interesting range, had trouble deciding which one to choose having received a voucher for Christmas. The felting choice was great. Marieke was lovely and a great tutor. The day was a joy from the moment of arriving and getting a cuppa with the yummy warm-from-the-oven biscuit until it was time to go. The venue was excellent, food fantastic and welcoming friendly atmosphere spot on. My partner was delighted that his gift to me had made me so happy and I'm hoping that future birthdays and Christmases might result in more vouchers coming my way! With very best wishes"

15 Jan 19'

Caroline W reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"What a fun day. We went home exhausted, each with a very different pair of wearable slippers. Annie joined in and happily supplied bundles of towels to mop her floor as we added more and more lovely organic soap and water to our creations as we rolled and rolled trying to remember which way up it was and how many layers we'd done. (Future sessions could do with some sort of chart to mark off as one goes along - all the chatting takes one's mind of the job at hand.) Annie's helpers provided a choice of three delicious soups (I tasted all three!) and two puddings for lunch at a table set out in the sunshine in the garden - time to gather our energies for the afternoon. Thanks especially to Marieke who managed to get her instructions across against all the chatter, while making her own perfect pair."

15 Jan 19'

Ros S reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I thought that making a pair of felt slippers would be so easy - just sew up some felt and hey presto ! But no we had to make the felt ourselves ... Lovely Marieke helped us to gradually build up layers of merino wool and patiently explained how to create patterns and colours. We worked so hard rolling and soaping and throwing and massaging and chatting -but what a result. An amazing pair of very cosy slippers which I designed and made myself ! A lovely day - helped by delicious soups and 2 puddings for lunch and scones with jam and cream for tea. Highly recommended!"

15 Jan 19'

Annie S reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"What a great course! Beautiful location; delicious, healthy lunch and refreshments; excellent, friendly tuition, complete with dashings of science and history (local and global) of felting.... this course takes your knowledge and skills of felting to a higher level. It would be suitable for the beginner or the experienced alike as there is always room for improvement. Marieke and demonstrates the process in an unrushed, clear, step-by-step fashion, resulting in beautiful, unique, warm slippers. The other ladies on the course were lovely to be with. We shared ideas, thoughts and knowledge. Ideas for embellishment were shared and observed. Annie made us feel very welcome, even offering childcare at the end after school pick-up in order to finish the slippers. I would recommend this course to anyone needing an uplifting day...and desiring special slippers! I still feel a warm glow from it nearly 2 weeks later. Thankyou."

27 Nov 18'

Lisa reviewed: Casting in pewter - making jewellery, decorations & keyrings: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Ella is a fantastic teacher. She knows how to set you at your ease, tells you just enough without overwhelming you in details, and then proceeds to check in with everyone individually to make sure you're ok. She makes the whole pewter process seem so easy and highly rewarding. I wouldn't hesitate to book with her again. Quirky Workshops is a great location, too. Annie ensures everyone feels welcome with a generous supply of coffee, tea, home made cordials, and of course biscuits and cake! Such is always the best and Annie is a great host. We've been to a few workshops at Quirky now, and are never disappointed."

22 Nov 18'

Lucy reviewed: Casting in pewter - making jewellery, decorations & keyrings: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Ella is a great teacher, straightforward, enthusiastic and lively. We all got stuck in straight away and surprised ourselves with what and how much we made in a day. There was designing and sawing and soldering and carving and molten pewter all going on at the same time and the atmosphere was friendly and creative. I hope to come back to make more in pewter again soon."

21 Nov 18'

Rachel reviewed: Casting in pewter - making jewellery, decorations & keyrings: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Ella was fabulous - we got going really quickly - as Ella gave really concise teaching points to get us underway guiding us and rescuing the minor mishaps with our work. We produced an array of little objects using variety of techniques which were really pleasing. It was an immensely pleasurable day topped off with a really yummy lunch, plenty of nibbles, drinks and some lovely company. Thank you! We are already looking forward to our next visit."

19 Nov 18'

Lynne M reviewed: 'Applique & stitch' discovering Machine embroidery: a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"Thank you so much for a fab day yesterday .. The whole day was lovely from Sarah's Ames' class to the yummy homemade food and friendly people Many thanks Lynne M x"

30 Sep 18'

Linda R reviewed: 'Applique & stitch' discovering Machine embroidery: a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"Dear Sarah and Annie, Just to say how much I enjoyed the embroidery course last Saturday. It was great to spend a day with so many lovely ladies and so many sewing machines! I’ve finished my picture and made a couple of lavender bags using the same techniques. I’m sure I will be doing lots more."

24 Jul 18'

Elaine reviewed: Blacksmith for a day with Adrian Woods: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"An excellent day in the blacksmith artis workshop with Adrian & Andy, with friendly people, being taught traditional skills to produce something worth while to taking home to be proud of... a well set out Sculptured course building up techniques and confidence through out the day, and to top it off we where we’ll looked after and fed with delicious food home cooked by Debbie couldn’t of asked for more. Would I recommend this course YES Would I buy this course as a gift YES Would I come back YES YES YES"

9 May 18'

Rosie B reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"Thank you for another wonderful course! I am thrilled to bits with the beautiful jewellery I made, it was such an enjoyable couple of days. Melinda was a great tutor. Thank you so much and see you at leather making workshops in July!"

9 Apr 18'

Simon Keeley 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

"Very many thanks, Simon, for the inspiring and immensely practical course. I had wanted to try stonecarving for years. You will see me again at one of your future course if I am lucky! Gill said she felt all of her 84 years as we staggered back to the car with our lumps of stone - and my muscles this morning tell me which ones I used yesterday.- but we had such a wonderful time. Thank you again. Miriam"

9 Apr 18'

Georgina reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"I thoroughly enjoyed this Silver Jewellery workshop. The tutor was excellent and very patient and encouraging. I was delighted with my results and it has certainly inspired me to get more tuition in the art of silver smithing. The Greystoke cafe certainly looked after us with a lovely lunch and superb refreshments. It was certainly one of the best workshops I have been on"

8 Apr 18'

Elaine Gorrie reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"Staggered at what I was able to make on the course. Really enjoyed the whole experience from the venue, home baking to the support provided on the course. Thank you so much, will definitely come again."

7 Apr 18'

June thornthwaite reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"Melinda was lovely and absolutely brilliant at her craft. She was very patient and positive. She always complimented our work but at same time gave advice and guidance. Annie was also really lovely and made everyone feel right at home. The lunches and cream teas were gorgeous and the property is absolutely beautiful set in an idyllic village. I would highly recommend the whole experience."