Things You Need to Know About London Craft Week 2019

Do you want to experience all the craftsmanship UK’s famous shops, galleries, and studios have to offer? Then you wouldn’t want to miss London Craft Week 2019 while enjoying a stay at our hotel South Kensington.

Read on to find out the essential things you need to know about this much-awaited event.

What Is the Event?

London Craft Week is an annual five-day event dedicated to showcasing British craftsmanship. It also features arts and crafts from an international perspective.

The show is aimed at locals and tourists who curiously want to discover the hard work and aesthetics behind several specialisms, ranging from food to arts to fashion.

Event participants will be treated to a plethora of workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, and talks that showcase behind-the-scene works on the best items and crafts available in London.

London Craft Week is attended and sponsored by several emerging and established brands across UK. Notable sponsors for 2019 include British gunmaker Purdey and luxury goods brand Dunhill.

Event Date and Timings

London Craft Week 2019 will run from 8^th May to 12^th May 2019.

Several workshop events take place in each of the five days of the Craft Week. Most of them start as early as 9:00 am and ends as late as 10:30 pm. More than a hundred different events are available in each day for you to choose from.

Things to Do During London Craft Week 2019

Unleash the inner craftsman in you as you learn more about design, aesthetics, art, and behind-the-scenes on how several art items are made.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are a few workshops on each of the five days of London Craft Week 2019, as seen in their programme:

Day 1:

• Savour the neoclassical interiors of the Spencer House in a guided tour by Ben Bacon and Vicky Wilson.
• Explore copper sculptures in a two-hour workshop with artist Sadie Clayton.
• Indulge in an hour of artisan ice cream making and tasting at the Ice Cream Union.

Day 2:

• Join Miyu Kurihara as she talks about Japanese ceramics and try your hand at painting using traditional techniques.
• Enjoy floriculture and botanical activities at sketch London.
• Attend workshops on the makings of Sebastian Cox’s debut tableware collection.

Day 3:

• Marvel at how Turkish miniature paintings are created, and make one for yourself with the Yunus Emre Institute.
• Learn tabletop calligraphy, ceramic creation and decoration, napkin block-printing, and more from Daylesford.
• Attend a special dinner and wine-tasting activity with Viennese glassmakers Lobmeyr courtesy of Studioisle.

Day 4:

• Learn natural fabric dyeing techniques from STORE’s public workshops.
• Create and take-home your own upholstered stools from Shoreditch Design Room’s upholstery classes.
• Delve into the world of artisan guitars with John Smedley, Tom Sands, and musician Will McNicol.

Day 5:

• Watch Tusting Leather’s craftsmen as they demonstrate how to create leather bags and accessories in a masterclass.
• Learn the art of hat creation and the proper techniques of wearing hats from Vivien Sheriff.
• Discover Kasane – the Japanese colour combination creation – with an exhibition from Japan House London.

Head to the London Craft Week 2019’s website to view a complete listing of events arranged per day. Click on the ones you’re interested in to view the details. Some may require bookings and fees, while half of all the events are open-house and free for all.

You can also read: A Beginner’s Guide to London

Where Will It Take Place?

The entire Craft Week will generally be held across London, from Mayfair to Shoreditch and from Greenwich to Hampstead. It encompasses a vast number of participating studios, galleries, museums, shops, and high-end luxury brand spaces.

Workshops, talks, and exhibits are spread throughout various shops and venues in London. They are not confined to a single venue alone. Hence, it is a must to check London Craft Week 2019’s website to view the programme and book your preferred events.

Nearest Tubes to the Event Venues

Here are some of the nearest tubes and railway stations to the main venues of London Craft Week 2019:

Mayfair:

• Green Park Tube Station
• Piccadilly Circus Tube Station
• Hyde Park Corner Tube Station
• Victoria Railway Station
• Charing Cross Railway Station

Shoreditch:

• Old Street Tube Station
• Liverpool Street Tube Station
• Moorgate Tube Station
• Shoreditch High Street Overground Station

Greenwich:

• North Greenwich Underground Station
• Canary Wharf
• Canning Town

Hampstead:

• Finchley Road Tube Station
• Belsize Park Tube Station
• West Hampstead Tube Station
• Cricklewood Railway Station

The Takeaway

London Craft Week 2019 is a large celebration of both British and international design, arts, and aesthetics. It is a five-day festival brimming with exhibits, workshops, and talks from artists and brands across London. Attending the festival is a must if you’re curious about behind-the-scenes happenings on your favorite art and craft items. Afterwards, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the Kensington Hotel Restaurant in Park City Grand Plaza.