There's a Lot to Learn in Harrogate

If you’re looking for a challenging and fun way to spend a short break in Yorkshire, Harrogate offers some interesting day and weekend courses. You’ll not only go home relaxed, but with your self-esteem boosted from learning a new skill.

Arts and Crafts
Rossett High School offer some one-day courses as part of their Adult Learning syllabus.

• Exploring jewellery making for Christmas presents (13th December)
• Mono print techniques (11th December)
• Pastel techniques (12th December
• Christmas decorations using wire and beads (18th December)

To find out more about Rossett’s courses, click here.
 
The Mercer Gallery is known for its excellent collection of Victorian paintings and eclectic temporary exhibitions, but you can also participate in their one-day life drawing or sewing classes.
 
Caryl Hallett is a stained-glass artist who offers a number of one-day workshops, such as making Christmas light catchers.

Ever wanted to be able to alter clothes or make a garment from scratch? Gillian Hargreaves can help you do just that at the Yorkshire School of Sewing, where she runs courses over one or two days. Whether you need to know the ins and outs of pattern drafting, or you’d love to sew a couture skirt, there’s a topic for you here.
 
Fans of Ray Mears and Bear Grylls will be interested to know that under Stuart Lawrence’s expert tutelage, you can make your own knife, axe or leather pouch. Everything you need for wild camping!
 
Cookery
The renowned Bettys and Taylors Group, famous for Bettys Café Tea Rooms, Yorkshire Tea and Taylors of Harrogate, has its headquarters in Harrogate. If you’re into GBBO and MasterChef, Bettys Cookery School runs extremely popular day courses on everything from knife skills to Advanced Pâtisserie. The four highly-experienced tutors will take you through everything you need to know, and you’ll find courses suitable for novices to experts. You can see a complete list of courses at the Bettys Cookery School website.
 
Horticulture and more
RHS Gardens Harlow Carr is fabulous if you enjoy meandering through beautiful gardens. But they also hold a wide range of educational and creative workshops throughout the year, including orchid growing, willow basket making, and botanical drawing. You can download the 2017 programme here.
 
Miscellaneous
Would you love to drive but don’t want to spend weeks having lessons? Aim2drive run two-day intensive courses in Harrogate, where you’ll have eight hours behind the wheel. That should get you test-ready or well on the way.
 
If you have children or grandchildren, it’s always an excellent idea to learn first-aid, such as the Emergency Paediatric course run by First on Scene. You’ll know all the essential basics in a day, making you more able to deal with any first-aid emergencies involving a child in your care.
 
As you can see, having a short break in Harrogate can send you home with a host of new skills.