Craft Weekend Retreat 2026

Name: Craft Weekend Retreat 2026
Start: 2026-03-07
End: 2026-03-08
Location: East Sussex National Hotel

Book your place

Choose from the options below – the option to pay a 50% deposit to secure your place is available up to 2 months before the start date:

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Day Delegate only £299

£299

Available Tickets: 30

This is a NON RESIDENTIAL rate and you will need to book your own accommodation.

The "Day Delegate only £299" ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

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Day Delegate only £299 - pay 50% now and 50% 2 months before the event

149.50

Available Tickets: 30

This is a NON RESIDENTIAL rate and you will need to book your own accommodation.

The "Day Delegate only £299 - pay 50% now and 50% 2 months before the event " ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

You're the first user in the Waiting List.

Number of entries in the waiting list:

Total: 0

If you are happy to share a twin room to let us know on the checkout page!

If crafting is your thing, this weekend will be absolute heaven. Two days of fabulous craft projects, with everything laid on for you. And all taking place in a beautiful spa hotel.

This really is about having unadulterated fun, with no responsibilities. Come with a friend, or book for yourself and meet lovely people who share your enjoyment of a good ‘make’.

There’s loads of varied content and skills to learn (details below), but this a relaxed retreat without any formality.

We do not include accommodation as standard so that you can choose from a variety of local options at a rate to suit your budget.

The venue

TheEast Sussex National Hotel is set within 1,100 acres of quintessential English countryside, and features two peaceful golf courses. Daytime meals are included and there is an optional evening meal at the Venue.

Please note that you NEED TO BOOK YOUR OWN ACCOMDATION at either the venue or one of the other accommodation options nearby. Some of the options are below listed in order of proximity to the venue.

East Sussex National – VENUE – The venue has given us a 15% discount code* available on booking. This will be included within your booking confirmation email. (* subject to hotel terms and conditions)

Horsted Place Hotel – Uckfield

Premier Inn – Uckfield

Chequers Hotel – Maresfield

Travel Lodge – Hellingly

https://www.eastsussexnational.co.uk/

A sociable space for crafting

Our dedicated retreat room is large, light and airy, and filled with the happy hum of conversation. You’ll have your own workspace, with plenty of room for your projects.

A chance to try out new techniques

The emphasis may be on fun, but you’ll still be picking up skills that you can return to when the retreat is over.

We’ll demonstrate each project clearly, and will be on hand to make sure you feel confident with the techniques you’re using.

Please note that the exact projects are subject to change – we’ll let you know if there are any amendments.

What level of ability is the retreat for?

No special skills are required for this retreat – we assume no prior knowledge. The projects are achievable for anyone who enjoys working with their hands. It’s no problem if you do have experience of any of the techniques – you’ll get to enjoy a lovely project, and develop your skills and confidence further.

What do I need to bring? What equipment is provided?

You just need to bring yourself. All materials and supplies for the activities this weekend are included.

Your weekend in detail

Day 1

Arrival at 9:30 for a 10am start.

Our first project is bang on-trend: We are delighted to welcome back the lovely Lucy Rowan, who joined us on previous years for punch needle and tapestry weaving. This year Lucy is going to guide us through making some wonderful coiled bowls, and if bowls are not your thing then make a placemat using the same technique. Lucy will show you all the best techniques and options. A selection of materials will be available to work with but if wish to bring any yarns, cords, ropes with you to personalise your project that is absolutely fine and will only add to the experience.

A hot and cold buffet lunch will be served between 1 and 2pm.

The afternoon session is going to be dedicated to collage. You will be talked through how to build your own amazing library of papers, with some from unusual places. You will be guided through a variety of techniques for creating your own, with fabulous texture and interest, when you need something specific. There will be a selection of collage artists’ work to be inspired by, so whether you fancy recreating your favourite landscape, make an abstract original, or work with a picture in mind there will be inspiration aplenty. Collage is a really wonderful activity, lending itself to a variety of uses. The more you relax into it and let your mind wander the more you may surprise yourself. This is a session to relax into, we will use creative techniques to produce some wonderful finished pieces.

The afternoon will be incredibly flexible and will be the ideal time to book yourself a treat in the onsite Spa if you wish.

Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.

In the evening there is an option for you to stay for a three-course dinner which will be served in a private area. Whilst this is not compulsory it is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow attendees better and swap your favourite crafting tips.

Day 2

If you decide to stay over at our venue you can start your day with the hotel’s full English or continental breakfast, served between 7am and 9:30am. You’ll have access to the retreat room from 9am, with time to work on any unfinished projects from day one. Or treat yourself to a lie-in.

At 10am, we’ll start our second day with a chalk board lettering workshop.

Our talented tutor Laura will show you a variety of lettering styles and all the extras like banners, frames and flourishes, which you will get to practice before having the chance to design and create your own personalised slate sign. Whether you want to welcome someone into your home, tell them you are ‘down the garden’ or set yourself an inspirational message your cute slate sign can do it for you.

Another hot and cold buffet will be served between 12:30 and 1:30pm.

Our last activity of the day will be led by super talented embroiderer Beth Power. Using fabrics and threads Beth creates amazing Stitchscapes. During the session you will learn the basics of layering fabrics to create a tactile background and be shown some different ways of embellishing your piece with textured embroidery stitches or a variety of yarns and trimmings. Everything will be provided but if you would prefer to bring and use your own trusted sewing kit that is fine too. You can even bring along your own treasures and trinkets for inclusion. This session is incredibly flexible allowing of any early departures if you have a long journey home.

Please note that these details are subject to variation, but they do give you a good idea of what to expect.

Meet your tutors

We’ll be on hand for help and guidance whenever you need it.

Sarah Brangwyn

Owner of Made and Making, Sarah has been sewing all her life. Her passion is helping others to gain the same level of enjoyment from mastering these creative skills. She’s known for her infectious enthusiasm, her endless knowledge and for her knack for explaining things clearly, leading to lots of ‘aha!’ moments. You may well have seen her recently in as a guest designer on the TV sewing channel Sewing Street.

Louise Cray

Louise can turn her hand to all kinds of crafts – dyeing, felting, weaving, crocheting, stitching and patchwork – and is currently a bit obsessed with hand sewing hexagons! She loves sharing her techniques by teaching an assortment of craft courses. She also works behind the scenes, keeping both Made and Making contemporary craft centre and Sarah Brangwyn Retreats running smoothly.

Lucy Rowan

Lucy is a textile designer and maker specialising in weaving and punch needle. She has been featured in many publications including Mollie Makes and Elle Decoration. She is the author of 3 craft books and you can often find her hosting workshops in the South of England passing on her textile skills.

Laura Tindorf

Laura has always been creative. From a very young age she was always drawing, and she studied art at degree level. A career in fashion design and buying became her focus, but when she took a career break to have her son, she rediscovered her love of all things artistic. She started her ‘Love’ business empire – LoveLetters (calligraphy), LovePetpics (pet portraits), and LoveFlowers (flowercrown parties) – and now can always be found painting, writing, drawing, making, planning or designing. Something creative every day!

Terms & Conditions

Prices are per person.

If booking with a 50% deposit note that the balance due on 31st January 2026. Please note that bookings are non-refundable.

If full payment has not been received by 31st January 2026 we reserve the right to reallocate your place.

The price includes:

all activities and materials
buffet lunch on both days
refreshments served throughout each day
free parking
free Wifi throughout the hotel.

If you choose to book your accomdation at the Venue then you will benefit from free use of the health club 7am to 8pm, including pool, spa pool, sauna and steam room. (Treatments at the award-winning Horsted Spa can be booked separately.)

Refunds & Cancellations

If you change your mind, or are unable to attend for any reason, please let us know, in writing, as soon as possible.

We will give you a full refund if your place can be taken by someone else. If this is not possible then we regret that no refund will be possible.

In the unlikely event that we have to cancel the retreat you will receive a full refund.