Need a break from the Christmas build-up?

For a peaceful escape connect with friends at a restorative art or craft workshop.

Be creative, make something original and feel Christmassy, but in a calm way.

We’ve delved into all the Devon craft events for December and divided them into three areas, so you can find someting near you.

Check out the lists in Plymouth & South Devon, Exeter & East Devon and North Devon.

I hope you find time to enjoy at least one creative haven.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. Want to sponsor Go Devon! Arts & Crafts newsletters? Call me on 07388 672802 or email [email protected] Check out the media pack. 

Plymouth & South Devon

Mon 1st Dec | Scandinavian Christmas Houses | The Makers Gallery, Tavistock | £35

Tue 2nd Dec | Ceramic Wreath Sculpting | China Blue, Totnes | £30

Tue 2nd Dec | Needle Felted Christmas Bauble | Art Craft & Laughter, Plymouth | £38

Thu 4th Dec | Thursday Portrait Class | New Street Studios, Plymouth | £14

Fri 5th Dec | Heritage Crafted Hand Broom | MAKE Southwest, Bovey Tracey | £55

Sat 5th & Sun 6th Dec | Festive Fused Glass Fun | Arthouse, South Brent | £65

Tue 9th Dec | Lino Print Coaster Workshop | China Blue, Totnes | £30

Tue 9th Dec | Creative Christmas Workshop: The Magic of Flax | East End Development Trust, Plymouth | Free

Wed 10th Dec | Sip & Sculpt | Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard, Plymouth | £30

Wed 10th Dec | Natural Christmas Decorations | MAKE Southwest, Bovey Tracey | £35

Fri 12th Dec | Free Machine Embroidered Christmas Gifts | MAKE Southwest, Bovey Tracey | £75

Sun 14th Dec | A Christmas Celebration | The Makers Gallery, Tavistock | £35

Tue 16th Dec | Christmas Mosaic Class | China Blue, Totnes | £20

Wed 17th Dec | Festive Fused Glass Fun | Art House South Brent, South Brent | £30

Fri 19th Dec | Christmas Willow Angel Workshop | Buckland Abbey, Yelverton | £35

Exeter & East Devon

Fri 5th Dec | Willow Weaving: Large Seasonal Star | Exeter Phoenix, Exeter | £40

Sat 6th Dec | Jewellery Making: Pendant Necklace | Exeter Phoenix, Exeter | £40

Sun 7th Dec | Fabric Birds Workshop | RAMM, Exeter | £50

Sat 13th Dec | Slow Stitching Bauble Making Workshop | Powderham Castle, Exeter | £20

Sat 13th Dec | Embroidery workshop with Kirstie Macleod | Killerton, Exeter | £50

North Devon

Tue 2nd Dec | Tuesday Evening Life-Drawing | Studio KIND, Barnstaple | £12

Wed 3rd Dec | Cake & Craft. Christmas Centrepiece | ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple | £10

Thu 4th Dec | Festive Candle Making Workshop | ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple | £40

Fri 5th Dec | Painting Masterclass with Hester Berry | ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple | £15

Sat 6th Dec | Wreaths with Caroline Preston | Chittlehampton, Umberleigh | £15

Sun 7th Dec | Create a Christmas Tealight Holder | The Burton at Bideford | £65

Sun 7th Dec | Printed Ornaments with Annabel Hill | Studio KIND, Braunton | £20

Sat 13th Dec | Winter Wonderland in Acrylics | ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple | £70

Sat 13th Dec | Willow Christmas Decorations | The Burton at Bideford | £40

Sun 14th Dec | Weave a Willow Scandi Star | ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple | £45

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result: Are you up for a sing-a-long?

• Yes 60%

• No 20%

• If no one’s listening 20%

jeaniedevon said: “Sorry, I just can’t sing in tune!!”

Devon Curiosities #85: Tivvy Bumper

Great Western Railway locomotive No 1442 is a source of civic pride as one of the last locomotives to serve Tiverton.

Affectionately known as the Tivvy Bumper after the 4.75-mile railway line between Tiverton and Tiverton Junction, it was a victim the Beeching cuts of the early 1960s.

Tiverton MP Derick Heatcote Amery won lots of votes from locals when he bought the locomotive for preservation in 1965.

• Standing as a landmark for 13 years, the West Country weather took its toll and as the rust started to set in a permanent indoor display was created in the Museum of Mid Devon Life.

You can visit the Tivvy Bumper at the museum Tuesday to Saturday, and if you want you can stand on the footplate and pull the whistle. Website

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🌲 A 1-night Michelin star stay for 2 including dinner and breakfst at Gidleigh Park Hotel luxury manor, Dartmoor (3rd Dec)

NEW!  ♨️ A 4-month pass for 2 to explore strength, flexibility and mindfulness at Ocean Wellness Hub, Sidmouth (no closing date given)

👑 A 2-night stay for 2 people at the newly-refurbished Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth, including a 3-course meal and drinks. (25th Nov)

🐷 A meat hamper for 4 people including turkey, gammon, pigs in blankets and sausage meat worth £66 (30th Nov)

NEW!  🌲 A 6-7ft Nordmann Fir christmas tree from Ashburton Christmas Trees and a luxury wreath (1st Dec)

NEW!  💤 A family VIP ticket to see Sleeping Beauty at the Princess Theatre, Torquay on 15th December including drinks and ice cream (3rd Dec)

NEW!  🍎 A 5 litre mini keg of Devon Red cider from Sandford Orchards (23rd Dec)

NEW!  🍷 1 of 10 Lyme Bay Winery wine bundles worth £50+ each (5th Jan 2026)

DID YOU GET LUCKY? Have you won a prize from a link here? Let me know

More competitions here

New member? Catch up here

👻 Steve Nallon’s Ghost Stories

🎶 Mediaeval Baebes

⚓️ Born bred pasty fed

🌻 Van Gogh’s tortured art mind

That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.

NEXT WEEK   Exmouth Winter Festival

Andy, Esme and Lara