London · WORKSHOPS
London trips always run a day short. These 11 workshops & classes justify the time, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes, not an evening.
In a one-hour workshop above De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar, an English-speaking instructor guides you through making four scones while you sip tea and hear about scone and tea traditions. Eat one warm, take the others home, and leave with a British Baking Certificate. Instructors have included Ron and Danni.
“Kiddos LOVED it! Scones were tasty and we really enjoyed the entire experience!”
Explore Shoreditch and Whitechapel on a two-hour guided street art walk, then make your own piece in a 45-minute spray-painting workshop. Guides such as Laura, Eva, Josh, Natalie, and Ava have led the tour, though your guide may vary. Materials and a card to paint are included; bring an umbrella in case of rain.
“This tour was fantastic! I often struggle between signing up for a tour or just wandering around on my own. Without a doubt I got WAY more out of my visit by having a guide. Laura was not only extremely knowledgeable but she was also enthusiastic and clearly loved sharing what she knew. Also glad that I signed up for the workshop afterward; it was SO much fun!! There was a young, budding artist in our group and Laura was so encouraging with him. Fantastic experience all around.”
At this 60-minute West End workshop, a local instructor guides you through mixing, shaping, and baking traditional English scones. You’ll hear about scones and tea, then eat your warm creations with jam and clotted cream. Tea, baking equipment, at least three scones, and a certificate are included. Hosts named in accounts include Ron, Danni, and Rob.
“This was the perfect London experience! We really enjoyed the cooking class as they explained the process step by step and provided the history of scones. Great afternoon!”
Spend four hours exploring East End street art with an active artist guide, then make a stencil and try spray-painting in a workshop. You may see works by Banksy, ROA, Invader, Stik, Jimmy C and others. All materials and tuition are included, and you can bring an image on your phone or USB stick to personalize your piece.
“Josh was great. Really passionate about street art and made it a really fun and inspiring day for me and my teenage neice and nephew.”
In Balham, you’ll make scones from scratch in a 1.5-hour class led by English-speaking bakers, including JoJo and Lola. Choose classic, cheese, or sultana, learn practical techniques, then sit down with your warm baking, jam, clotted cream, and tea. Ingredients and equipment are provided, and you’ll have a batch to take home.
“Jojo is amazing! There was a glitch with my reservation, the system had not really booked my spot. When I got there, she had already left and she then came back just to give me the class (I was the only one in it). Amazing experience!”
Join JoJo or a Cook and Craft Collective instructor for a 2.5-hour pizza class in London. Learn to make authentic dough, bake with dough already proved for you, eat your pizza fresh from the oven, and take dough home to use in your own kitchen. Ingredients and equipment are included.
“Absolutely first class, clear instructions to our activity which was Pizza making but also a lovely personal approach paying an interest in each of us. 100% recommend”
Spend about three hours making French macarons with an English-speaking instructor in a group capped at six. Ingredients, a soft drink, and a take-home box are included. Jojo and Dora have led sessions, and the relaxed class is designed to make macaron-making feel less intimidating.
“Learning how to make the macarons was fab! The host was very jolly too. Improvements I would suggest would be 1. The class didn’t start on time due to staff shortages but I didn’t receive the email that was sent via the app which told me this. 2. The toilets didn’t have toilet paper and had run out of paper towels. 3. The host was on her phone between stages of making the macarons which didn’t seem very professional That said, it was an enjoyable couple of hours.”
Join instructor JoJo at Cook and Craft Collective for a two-hour London chocolate workshop. Make a creamy ganache center, shape truffles by hand, coat them in chocolate or cocoa powder, and decorate with sprinkles or cocoa nibs. Ingredients and equipment are provided, and you take home a box of your finished chocolates.
“JoJo was great fun to make chocolates with Me and my Gf had a great time and will certainly recommend and come back for the activities she has to offer”
At Cook and Craft Collective in South East England, JoJo leads a three-hour pork pie workshop using her pastry recipe. Make your own pies, choose from classic or extra fillings, and eat them warm from the oven. Ingredients and equipment are included, and you can bring your own drinks.
“This was an absolute treat! Not only did I leave with a full tummy and full of pride from my new pork pies, but my cheeks hurt from smiling so much! The recipe will be a wonderful souvenir for me to bring home and allow me show off my new skills. Jojo was so kind and warm, making me feel instantly at ease. The pies were DELICIOUS! The experience was DELIGHTFUL! I can’t recommend this experience enough! It would be so fun as a date night, family day out, or on your own!”
At Greenwich Distillery Shop & Tasting Rooms, a live guide leads you through gin’s history, botanical distillates, and the choices behind a balanced blend. Make a recipe to suit your taste, try it in a G&T, then fill, label, name, and seal a bottle to take home. The 2.5-hour workshop is inside the Old Royal Naval College.
“Great experience, good guidance on the flavourings, totally recommend!”
Follow novelist Joseph, who holds a PhD in Creative Writing, from Waterloo Bridge to literary landmarks near Somerset House and St Mary le Strand. Read English writers, then try short writing prompts on place, time, politics and truth. The private, wheelchair-accessible tour lasts 1.5 hours and costs $101 per person.
Pick a landmark, a river, a pub or a road out of town.
