Develop a new skill, or hone your talents on your visit here. You can learn from one of our great local artists or photographers, find out how to make the perfect sausage, or go wildlife spotting.
Arts and crafts courses
Here are a few ideas for developing your creative side.
- Learn how to throw pottery on a wheel at Bentham Pottery who run courses for two to six people on inexpensive half day sessions.
- ArtisOn in Masham run creative courses including painting, printing, ceramics, jewellery making, and stained glass.
- You can hone your picture taking with Natural Light Photography who run weekend and full-day workshops at locations such as Aysgarth falls, Bolton Abbey, Malham and Ribblehead.
- At Jack Beck House near Clapham you can take a painting course with tuition given by professional artists in a comfortable converted barn. Or take a course with Winifred Hodge sketching and painting in Wensleydale - outdoors when it is possible.
- Farfield Mill near Sedbergh specialise in workshops revolving around fabric and material. Just over the road you will find The Threshing Barn which runs craft courses.
- Want to get to grips with stone? Pip Hall Stone carving courses take place in a variety of locations in Cumbria including Dentdale.
Food and cookery courses
- Chris Wildman, a Malhamdale farmer, runs a farm shop and butchery courses as part of Paganum foods. You can learn how to carry our pork butchery, make sausages, curing or charcuterie.
- The Yorkshire Dales is famous for its cheeses. Ribblesdale Cheese run courses for people who want to learn about making their own cheese.
- At Swinton Park, the Cookery School runs a busy programme of two day, one day and half day cookery classes throughout the year. These include children's cookery lessons. All cookery classes are hands-on and practical,from Game to Baking and from Dinner Parties to Wild about Food foraging courses.
Wildlife, nature and outdoors courses
- Chris and Fiona Clark run Nethergill Farm tucked away at the head of Langstrothdale. Courses are based in the superb farmhouse field centre and include wildlife and flower identification, river restoration and land management.
- Go for a walk with a difference in the company of Nidderdale Llamas who are gentle, friendly and great fun. This is a unique and personal experience in the lovely setting of the eastern Dales.
- For fly fishing, Stone House Hotel near Hawes run courses on both still water and the River Ure, at Bolton Abbey tuition is available on the River Wharfe, and up the valley at Kilnsey Park is great for beginners.
- Join a navigation course to improve your skills. The navigation courses run by Where2Walk will give you the skills and confidence to get out and explore the dales and hills with friends and family. All the courses we run are led by a fully qualified and experienced instructor and operate in the wonderful landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.
There are also many opportunities to learn an outdoor skill such as caving or navigating. Have a look at our Call in the Experts page for details.
