Latest reviews

Wendy Moir reviewed: Introductory soap making workshop

"Excellent course and great support from Nic and Ben. Both worked really hard to ensure we had an great time and learnt lots. Really looking forward to another course I've booked next month. Wendy"

Boo Cottage Botanicals responded:

"Hi Wendy, Thank you so much for your lovely review! Really pleased you enjoyed the workshop and we look forward to seeing you again next month. Best wishes, Nic"

petra reviewed: Introducing Macrame Knots and Intricate Designs

"I had a wonderful afternoon with Mary knotting and nattering! She is a master of this great craft. I already had a basic understanding of some of the knots which enabled us to jump ahead to knots I was unfamiliar with and by the end of our session I had accomplished them! You tube is great for learning but its so good to get away from the screen and learn first hand.Thank you Mary"

Glenn Hickling reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"It was, without doubt, one of the best things I've ever done, spending a day with my wife throwing pots under the expert eye of Matthew. He is an incredible teacher, by the fourth pot I actually felt pretty confident on the wheel and got great results that we will actually use day to day in our home. Can't wait to eat noodles out of a bowl I threw myself. He made the day such fun too. If you want a pottery experience with solid results to remember the day by, choose Matthew. And where better to do it than at The Potteries?"

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Glenn, Thank you for such a great review and I had a fantastic day teach both of you. It was amazing how much progress that you both made in such a short time and the quality of the forms that you both produced. Your pots are now drying and will be fired shortly, I will be in touch as soon as they are ready to collect. Best wishes Mathew"

Mrs Jump reviewed: South African National Quilt Festival

"Superb holiday"

Mrs Hower reviewed: South African National Quilt Festival

"The African Cape was a highlight for me. Organisation, planning and ability to make the group happy was wonderful. Thank you everyone at Arena."

Mrs North reviewed: South African National Quilt Festival

"Overall excellent, perfect mix of organised time, interesting travel and free space. Local guide and driver exceptionally good."

Jo Pudelko reviewed: Chasing & repousse creative metalwork weekend in Edinburgh for beginners.

"A great couple of days in Bryony's well equipped studio. I enjoyed the course thoroughly."

Jen reviewed: Introduction to Soft Pastels 10-week face-to-face art course in Kidderminster West Midlands

"Raya has all the best qualities as a tutor and a person. This course has been magically put together with the skills Raya will pass onto you all coming together towards the end. You will be surprised how much you have learnt in such a short space of time. Raya's method of teaching is fun and relaxed yet structured and I have nothing but admiration for her obvious skills as an artist of many years and her warmth as a person. Many thanks Raya"

Phin Hall reviewed: Creating a Viking knife an introduction to forging and knife making at Bearded Pig Forge

"If asked to sum up this course in a single word, I'd have to say: I've been on a lot of craft courses over the years, from making Tudor Christmas Decorations to building a Cob Oven, and my day at the Bearded Pig Forge was easily the best to date. Bearing in mind I'm a complete novice working with orange-hot metal, heavy hammers, super-sharp blades and a crazy-fast belt sander, Spike (the blacksmith) was immensely calm and patient, only stepping in when I was in danger of losing an eye, ;-) setting fire to myself and the forge or, worse of all, messing up my knife! He explained and demonstrated everything clearly and concisely and answered all of my questions in much the same way. Added to that is the fact it was a lovely, sunny day in glorious surroundings and that Spike is great company, it was - in a word - brilliant. Next stop: axe-making!"

Mrs Engelhardt reviewed: Knitting in the Faroe Islands

"This was definitely a"holiday"! I enjoyed the workshop and the excursions to visit the country. Juliet and Pru were good leaders and the women in the group got along well. Very nice experience. I would do it again."

Ms Sikes reviewed: Knitting in the Faroe Islands

"Excellent Faroes knitting week."

Mrs Kolator reviewed: Knitting in the Faroe Islands

"A fabulous experience. Beautiful place, great accommodation, guides, visits, classes, food. It was all fantastic, even the weather. I recommend this place to anyone who enjoys interesting and unusual places with plenty to do and visit. Wonderful knitting and yarn shops and great classes with Katrina."

Miss White reviewed: Knitting in the Faroe Islands

"My booking was held for me. Process was hassle free"

Mrs Romer reviewed: South African National Quilt Festival

"I have filled in my feedback elsewhere. An excellent trip."

Mrs Langfield reviewed: South African National Quilt Festival

"I'll go with them again! Good hotels, good itinerary (one exception - a trip to an iconic place straight after an overnight flight), excellent guides, excellent organisation."

Mrs James reviewed: South African National Quilt Festival

"Very good , interesting holiday They were well organised and the specialist with us and the local guide were excellent. Yes I would travel with them again and recommend them to others"

Mrs Smith reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"An absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. Thank you to everybody involved."

Dr Michel reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Wonderful fascinating trip"

Mrs Farrant reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Fabulous trip-of-a-lifetime What a fabulous trip, brilliant service. The trip was incredibly well planned and a fantastic itinery. We stayed in great hotels and our tour leader, local guide and expert were the best. We experienced so much of Japan in such a relatively short time. Although moving from location to location this was made as effortless as possible. The trip couldn’t have been better organised and the hands-on workshops with various artisans was something I’ll never forget. Our tour leader, local guide and expert were so knowledgable, friendly and fun. I can’t think of a thing to change. What a wonderful trip and worth every penny."

Mrs Muckle reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"My trip to Japan was so well planned and included so many diverse experiences It was wonderful. Lynn Cornish our tour manager was there to help when needed and a wonderful warm caring person. I would definitely consider another holiday with Arena. The whole experience in Japan was excellent, well organised, diverse itinerary showing many different aspects of their culture. Hotel standard was really good and our guide Yuka, was lovely. Lynn Cornish our tour manager was so kind and thoughtful to everyone making sure we had a wonderful holiday. Thank you to everyone. Edwina and Isabel from Worcester."

Mrs Steffens reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Interesting trip, great visits and workshops, also saw stunning scenery."

Ms Marty reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Program was well put together and delivered on my expectations. Everything was on time and went to plan. Arena Tour Leader Lynn Connor was excellent and went to extreme lengths to take care of everything and everybody. Japanese tour guide, Yuka, was helpful and knowledgeable."

Mrs Evans reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"The organisation and planning was excellent throughout. All our guides were lovely and made the trip really enjoyable. Wonderful experiences that I couldn't have found on my own."

Ms Mogridge reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"Excellent itinerary including travel through rural areas, visits to textile experts, and workshops. All the arrangements were impeccable."

Mrs Parker reviewed: Textiles of Japan & the Festival of Quilts

"The trip went very well and everything was very well organised."