7. LEARN A NEW SKILL

From textiles to pottery, there’s no time like the present to try your hand at something different

NEON WORKSHOPS, WAKEFIELD

Between commissions for galleries and festivals, this specialist fabrication studio will let you in on the art of neon sculpture

– an elemental mix of glass, fire, high voltage and gas – with courses from two-hour tasters to one-to-one tuition. Even the shortest sessions produce something to take home (from £75 for a two-hour taster; neonworkshops.com).

STUDIO POTTERY LONDON, BELGRAVIA

Hands-on and prone to unexpected results, working with clay surely lends itself to shared experience – and so do the sociable, relaxed classes at this central-London pottery studio. Select your best effort at the end of a three-hour beginners’ session and it’ll be glazed and fired, ready to pick up in a few weeks (from £130 for a three-hour taster; studio-pottery-london.com).

POLLIANDER, FALMOUTH

For the uninitiated, upholstery can feel like something of a dark art. Well placed to demystify the process is expert restorer Polly Waite, who revamps tired chairs and more with fabrics by Designers Guild, House of Hackney and Christian Lacroix. You’ll work on your own project during a weekend or five-day course (from £140 for a two-day course ; polliander.com).

BLACKHORSE WORKSHOP, WALTHAMSTOW

This London makers’ hub is, as they put it, a place to ‘get involved in the gritty act of putting stuff together’. Learn how to make a hanging planter or plywood vase in an evening, spend a few hours on projects like an oak display shelf and a contemporary metal candlestick, or sign up for a woodworking weekend (from £50 for an evening course; blackhorseworkshop.co.uk).