The Kent Creator Trail

While the longer days continue to draw out, warmer months invite you to take a step back, detach yourself from digital life and harness your creative instincts. During this time, Kent becomes a vibrant presence for artists, makers and creators both near and far; from Turner’s paintings to Flaxman’s sculptures, the county’s pastoral landscapes and coastal scenes offer inspiration at every turn.

Now is the time to make the step beyond passive appreciation and start your creative trail across the county where you’ll discover ancient crafts and talented makers. Whether you are a newbie creator, an established artist or simply seeking an inspiration-led day out, Kent offers an array of bespoke workshops and beginner-friendly courses to guide your hand, sharpen your skills and help you ignite your creative potential.

For Families

Potterati

Planning a creatively-led day out for the family will lead you to Potterarti, a family-run pottery studio tucked away in the Borne Valley near Plaxtol. Set in a chilled, creative environment, children can unleash their painting skills and have fun expressing themselves through an array of colours and shapes.

The studio offers pottery painting sessions for all ages, so parents are encouraged to get involved and invoke their inner artist, with sessions lasting two hours. At the end of the session, you leave your pottery at the studio, ready for glazing and firing before collecting your masterpiece within a few days.

For creativity that continues beyond the studio, take a short 20-minute drive to Eat ‘N’ Mess. Here, you’ll discover a unique outdoor space overlooking the Kent Downs where children can build their own pancakes, choosing from a range of toppings, or get stuck into a selection of deliciously crafted treats for all the family to indulge in.

For Solo travellers 

Discovering the North Kent coastline will lead you to the market town of Faversham, where you can spend the day learning about the ancient techniques of bookbinding. Throughout the year, Hope Fitzgerald, the founder of Bindfulness Handmade Books, holds bookbinding workshops and events in Faversham, with a pop-up shop running from the 1- 6 June, where you can discover a number of events, from Block Print and Bind a Book (4 June) to Quarterbound Hard Cover Bindings (6 June).

Additional workshops include a Japanese Stab Binding workshop (27 June), where you can engage in ancient Japanese bookbinding techniques. You will use handprinted, unique suminagashi marbled paper and sew pages with linen or hemp thread. Each step allows you to harness a new creative skill while you watch your book gradually appear before your eyes.

While your creativity is high, head to Creek Creative, a late-Victorian brewery bottling plant. The modest building has been transformed into a creative hub; with 45 local creators, the space is infused with creative flair, from visual artists, silversmiths, writers and illustrators. Explore a wealth of inspiration and a variety of workshops before heading to Creek Creative’s award-winning Gallery Kitchen Café, where you can tuck into a well-deserved lunch.

For a Girls’ Day Out

Chappell Contemporary

Crafting a perfect girls’ day out begins with a creative activity set near the golden sands of Whitstable. This decorative seaside town is home to Lisa McKean Jewellery and Workshops; with sessions every Saturday and Sunday, a memorable day out can be found in this relaxed, hands-on jewellery-making workshop by the sea.

Using traditional silversmithing techniques, you will have access to a variety of tools, where you will learn to craft and shape organic, wearable pieces, paired with an abundance of tea and coffee to enliven your creativity. Choose from a variety of unique designs, including silver bangles, earrings, rings and sea glass, to infuse a coastal element into your special creation.

While in Whitstable, you can explore the Chappell Contemporary to discover handpicked modern art pieces. Instilled with enthusiasm and emerging new talents, the gallery is a space for appreciation and the belief that art can take any form.

Finish off your girls’ day by heading to Fable and Green, a café that blends antique treasures with expert barista-made coffee. Browse the vintage treasures while you enjoy handcrafted sandwiches or loaded Sunday roasts. 

For Starting Something New

Drawing Rooms of Deal

If you’re looking to harness a new creative skill this summer, you can explore The Drawing Rooms of Deal. Set in the coastal fishing town of Deal, the studio offers beginner-friendly drawing classes, with an inventive, sociable environment for all ages. There is a no-pressure attitude, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in their own creative style and techniques.

Weekly art classes are held at The Gold Road Centre on Wednesdays and Thursdays, where you can experiment with a range of materials and drawing techniques. Workshops are held throughout the year in the historic Walmer Castle Education Centre, blending Tudor history with budding creativity, with coffee, tea and biscuits all provided.

Upcoming workshops this summer include Cyanotype Printing with Light and Natural Forms (27 June); Walmer Castle Gardens Drawing and Painting Workshop (18 July); and Portraiture for Beginners Workshop (15 August). All workshops run from 11.30am to 3.30pm.

After testing your artistic flair, make your way to Linden Hall Studio, an independent, contemporary art gallery in the heart of Deal. With a rolling collection of modern British paintings, prints and sculptures, the exhibitions invite new creatives and established artists to enjoy observing these unique pieces.

For Groups

A group day out can begin in the rural back lanes of Tenterden, where you will find Cowshed Workshops. Set on a rural farm, you will enter a creative haven where vibrant wildflowers and a host of friendly farm animals pair with bespoke hands-on group workshops.

For day-out experiences in June, enjoy basket weaving and create unique items using foraged twigs and hedgerow materials – perfect for beginners. For a two-day workshop, create handwoven rabbits or deers; each one is crafted using first-grade black maul willow, which you carefully bend and mould into your decorative figurine.

Escaping the rural lanes, you can explore the historic town of Tenterden, blending independent shops with crafted coffees. The Nutmeg Deli offers locally produced, handmade sandwiches and sweet delights, with local artwork hung on the walls for you to admire.

Finish off by heading to Ethel Loves Me, a sanctuary of rarities and one-of-a-kind items, with only two stores based in Tenterden and Rye in East Sussex. The shop showcases original pieces, collectibles and limited edition items created by local artisans. The shop regularly hosts regular workshops and exhibitions with a focus on crafting upcycled naturally made goods. 

For a Gift

The Ceramic Studio

When considering an ideal gift for someone special, a truly memorable present is a trip to The Ceramic Studio, which is located in an idyllic orchard near Brenchley. The studio is made up of two converted barns, inviting a calm and creative space run by experienced tutors. If you want to give a gift that offers the chance to switch off and try something new, then look no further than this. 

The studio offers a wide range of classes, from those for total beginners to other for well seasoned enthusiasts; all aspects of ceramics are covered and held in intimate classes to ensure each person’s needs are met. 

Throughout June, why gift a Raku weekend workshop, which explores intricate techniques of glazing and firing pots outdoors where you can leave the everyday behind and let your creativity take a new level?

With upcoming events this summer, the Mara & Mara Design and Decorate Vintage Ceramics class blends vintage and contemporary styles (18 July). Transfer historic landmarks and imagery synonymous with Kent onto a ceramic design for a gifted experience to remember.

For Couples

Creative Escape Studio

Memorable days out for couples occasionally require a creative touch, blending a hands-on activity with developing a new skill – if it is immersion and craft you’re after, Creative Escape Studio offers it in abundance. Based only a stone’s throw away from London in the quiet town of Chislehurst, the studio is a dedicated jewellery workshop, where you can fabricate your own crafted pieces.

Workshops can vary from three-hour sessions to weekend courses, including the unique Sand Casting Experience, where you can learn an ancient craft by shaping molten metal and using sand casting techniques to create personalised pieces, accompanied by plenty of tea and coffee. Your personalised piece can range from signet rings and pendants to special objects that are entirely unique to you, making it a truly meaningful experience.

After your session, head to The Royal Gallery on Chislehurst’s prestigious Royal Parade. The gallery offers an inspiring post-jewellery-making experience with some of the country’s leading artists and limited edition pieces, showcasing contemporary artworks that reflect Kent’s rich artistic presence.