Workshops & courses

Let 2025 be a year of learning and discovery in Monmouthshire.

Let this be the year when you prioritise your own wellbeing and learn to unwind, make new friends and connect with nature while developing a new skill.

Try learning yoga or Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) at Forest Retreats, a Guardian recommended eco and wellbeing retreat in Tintern in the heart of the Wye Valley.

Or learn the joy of baking your own bread with Dr Rachael Watson, The Abergavenny Baker, who will teach you how to mix two or three doughs by hand and bake 4 or 5 different breads. Choose from classes including Italian, French, Nordic, Middle Eastern, Great British, Welsh, Easter, Christmas, Sourdough or Coeliac.

Alternatively, learn the secrets of fermenting and how to prepare your own krauts and kimchi on one of Crafty Pickle’s workshops. Or how to preserve fruit or make chutney on one of The Preservation Society’s courses where you will create your own jars of deliciousness to take home.

For something truly unique try creating your own bespoke fragrance in a beautiful Tudor garden overlooking the Monmouthshire countryside at Wales Perfumery, or your own gin from locally foraged botanicals at White Hare Distillery in Usk.

And if you love gardening, Nant y Bedd Garden (an RHS Partner Garden) offers tours of the garden and courses on garden structures, foraging and how to manage the wild garden. Alternatively learn how to garden design, prune fruit trees, look after roses and care for perennials, or how to propagate and plant vegetables with Growing in the Border.

If arts and crafts are more your thing, check out the art history courses from MonLife Heritage, Cyanotype classes at Nant-Y-Bedd or the chance to learn traditional stained glass techniques at Craft Renaissance.

Alternatively broaden your knowledge on specialist topics at a talk from one of the many experts in Monmouthshire.

Whatever journey of learning and discovery you choose, make this year more about you and your wellbeing.