it’s the week to...
painting
Where: St Ives, Cornwall
What’s the deal: Even beginners will find their inner artist at the famous St Ives School of Painting, overlooking Porthmeor Beach. Step inside light-filled studios and be inspired by the beautiful Cornish landscape to create with paint, collage and ink. Class sizes are small and all materials are provided.
stay: In stunning Trevose Harbour House (from £86pn, trevosehouse.co.uk). Porthminster Beach Cafe (portminstercafe.co.uk) and Porthgwidden Café (porthwiddencafe.co.uk) both offer wonderful views and heated terraces. Try to visit Tate St Ives and Dame Barbara Hepworth’s exotic sculpture garden.
the lowdown: Two-day courses from £180 and half-day workshops from £40. Try your hand at life drawing for £18 (schoolofpainting. co.uk). The nearest station (gwr.com) is St Erth; take a 10-minute train or taxi (£15) to St Ives.
street photography
Where: Berlin, Germany
What’s the deal: Learn how to get the best from your camera and all about Berlin’s cutting-edge art scene on this two-day course. Covering composition, exposure and specific techniques for capturing street life, it’s handson. The itinerary is flexible, but usually includes a walking tour of art galleries, drawing or photography classes and studio visits.
stay: Accommodation for three nights is in a single en-suite room at the Motel One Berlin-hackescher Markt, close to Berlin’s famous Alexanderplatz square and the metro.
the lowdown: From £799, including tuition, city transport, transfers, tour guide and three nights B&B accommodation (frui.co.uk). Easyjet.com flies from London Gatwick to Berlin Schönefeld and Tegel from £68 return.
yoga and mindfulness
Where: The Orange Tree, Pickering, North Yorkshire
What’s the deal: Siblings Edward and Helen Harpin teach hatha yoga and mindfulness meditation in daily sessions that feature music, silence, mantras, breathing techniques and a gong bath.
stay: The eight rooms are basic but comfortable. Evenings are spent around the table (delicious vegetarian meals included), relaxing by the fire in the lounge, or stargazing from a hammock in the garden. Pack your swimmers for the hot tub.
the lowdown: From £285pp sharing for two nights, single rooms available. Dates throughout autumn 2019. thetree.earth
paddle boarding
Where: Surf Sanctuary in Newquay, Cornwall
What’s the deal: Take to the seas on a stand-up paddle board (SUP) on a two-day intensive course, ideal for beginners or those who want to take their skills to the next level.
stay: At the splendid four-star Headland Hotel, overlooking Fistral Beach. Ease your tired muscles in the hotel’s spa, where the sauna and Cornish salt steam are free to guests.
the lowdown: The course costs £195pp. Accommodation at the Headland Hotel is from £130 per night, based on two people sharing and includes breakfast, snacks and drinks during the course. headlandhotel.co.uk
bread making
Where: The Bertinet Kitchen, Bath
What’s the deal: Make the perfect loaf as well as crackers and pizzas on a rustic and sourdough baking course with French baker Richard Bertinet. Tea, coffee, croissants and rum-steeped espressos keep bakers going and there’s a sumptuous late lunch with wine each day. All materials, ingredients and equipment are included, plus recipe sheets to take away.
stay: At the five-star Royal Crescent Hotel, just a short walk from the Bertinet Kitchen. Rooms are spacious and there’s a spa (pool, sauna and steam room are free to guests).
the lowdown: The two-day course is £420pp (thebertinetkitchen.com). Rooms at the Royal Crescent start from £330 per night, including breakfast. royalcrescent.co.uk
swimming
Where: Ullswater, Cumbria What’s the deal: Improve your skills in the water at the swim clinic, held at Another Place, The Lake – one of Ullswater’s chicest hotels. There are land, pool and lake sessions, plus snazzy video analysis to refine positioning, breathing and overall technique. stay: Another Place is a lakeside Georgian house and bedrooms come with four-posters, plush robes and great views. For those looking for more to do, there’s riding, hiking, cycling and all manner of watersports available.
the lowdown: Three-day swim clinic from £330pp, including two nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. http://another.place
raku pottery
Where: Vinegar Hill Pottery, Milford-on-sea, Hampshire
What’s the deal: Over three days, master potter Dave Rogers covers everything from throwing to firing, and everyone comes away with at least five raku (traditional Japanesestyle) pots. Homemade cake is thrown in mid-morning, plus a delicious seasonal lunch.
stay: Choose from B&B accommodation at Vinegar Hill, including a fabulously restored 19th century showman’s wagon. After dinner in the village, sit outside by the wood-burning chimneys for a cosy evening’s star-gazing.
the lowdown: Course £360pp. B&B from £85 per night. vinegarhillpottery.co.uk