CREATIVE WRITING COURSES All there is to know about our creative writing courses in Bristol

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Our Creative Writing

About Our Creative Writing Courses

Our courses are designed to ignite your passion for writing and unleash the boundless power of your creativity. Whether you’re a beginner eager to explore the world of writing or an experienced wordsmith looking to enhance your skills, these courses will take you on a transformative journey through the realms of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction.

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Courses on Offer

We have creative writing courses and workshops to suit everyone.

Creative Writing Group

A monthly, tutor-led, creative writing group designed for learners who wish to gain feedback and encouragement to keep them on the path to finishing a piece of fiction.
— Monthly or Weekly, Tutor-led, Writing Clinic

Writing Short Stories

Writing short stories helps you discover your writing voice. This course is designed to show YOU the art of writing short stories and how to submit them for publication.
— Beginner to Intermediate Level, Wednesdays

A Beginner's Guide to Writing Fiction

This course will get your creative juices flowing! If you have always wanted to write but were never sure how to, this course will demystify the process. Make a start now.
— Beginner Level, Wednesdays

Saturday Creative Writing

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— Intermediate to Advanced Level, Saturday

Upcoming Courses

UPHOLSTERY WEEKLY COURSES - MONDAYS (AM)
Upholstery

Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. If your project requires it, you can also learn how to use a sewing machine. This course will be delivered at Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS9 1BN.

Due to limited storage, please bring smaller, lighter pieces. All pieces of furniture MUST be taken home at the end of the course unless you have enrolled on the next course.
- Mondays 9.30am to 12.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 12 September £148/£90 T10A Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 9.30am to 12.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 31 October £148/£90 T10B Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 9.30am to 12.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 5 sessions from 9 January £124/£75 T10C Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 9.30am to 12.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 20 February £148/£90 T10D Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 9.30am to 12.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 5 sessions from 17 April £124/£75 T10E Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 9.30am to 12.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 5 June £148/£90 T10F Stoke Lodge
Book Now
UPHOLSTERY WEEKLY COURSES - MONDAYS (PM)
Upholstery

Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. If your project requires it, you can also learn how to use a sewing machine. This course will be delivered at Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS9 1BN.

Due to limited storage, please bring smaller, lighter pieces. All pieces of furniture MUST be taken home at the end of the course unless you have enrolled on the next course.
- Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 12 September £124/£75 T11A Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 31 October £124/£75 T11B Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 5 sessions from 9 January £104/£63 T11C Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 20 February £124/£75 T11D Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 5 sessions from 17 April £104/£63 T11E Stoke Lodge
And
- Mondays 1pm to 3.30pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 5 June £124/£75 T11F Stoke Lodge
Book Now
UPHOLSTERY WEEKLY COURSES - TUESDAYS
Upholstery

Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. If your project requires it, you can also learn how to use a sewing machine. This course will be delivered at Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS9 1BN.

Due to limited storage, please bring smaller, lighter pieces. All pieces of furniture MUST be taken home at the end of the course unless you have enrolled on the next course.
- Tuesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 13 September £124/£75 T12A Stoke Lodge
And
- Tuesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 1 November £124/£75 T12B Stoke Lodge
And
- Tuesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 5 sessions from 10 January £104/£63 T12C Stoke Lodge
And
- Tuesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 21 February £124/£75 T12D Stoke Lodge
And
- Tuesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 18 April £124/£75 T12E Stoke Lodge
And
- Tuesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 6 June £124/£75 T12F Stoke Lodge
Book Now
UPHOLSTERY WEEKLY COURSES - THURSDAYS
Upholstery

Bring a treasured heirloom back to life! You will learn traditional upholstery skills and methods using traditional materials. If your project requires it, you can also learn how to use a sewing machine. This course will be delivered at Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS9 1BN.

Due to limited storage, please bring smaller, lighter pieces. All pieces of furniture MUST be taken home at the end of the course unless you have enrolled on the next course.
- Thursdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 15 September £124/£75 T13A Stoke Lodge
And
- Thursdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 3 November £124/£75 T13B Stoke Lodge
And
- Thursdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 5 sessions from 12 January £104/£63 T13C Stoke Lodge
And
- Thursdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 23 February £124/£75 T13D Stoke Lodge
And
- Thursdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 19 April £124/£75 T13E Stoke Lodge
And
- Thursdays 6.30pm to 9pm Nicola Hamilton
- 6 sessions from 8 June £124/£75 T13F Stoke Lodge
Book Now
REPAIR, REUPHOLSTER & REUSE A DINING CHAIR
Repair, Reupholster and Reuse A Dining Chair

Give an old dining chair a new life! Whether contemporary or traditional, drop seat or deep sprung you will be guided through all the steps necessary to get that professional finish!

Due to limited storage, please bring smaller, lighter pieces. All pieces of furniture MUST be taken home at the end of the course unless you have enrolled on the next course.

This workshop will be delivered at Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS9 1BN.

Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm Grace Ingram
- 6 sessions from 4 November £147/£97 T26A Stoke Lodge
- 6 sessions from 24 February £147/£97 T26B Stoke Lodge
- 6 sessions from 21 April £147/£97 T26C Stoke Lodge
- 6 sessions from 9 June £147/£97 T26D Stoke Lodge
Book Now
CUSHION RECOVERY
Cushion Recovery

Do you have any cushions or soft furnishings that need a new lease of life? This course is for you! You will learn to totally remake your cushion cover from scratch to get that professional finish.

This workshop will be delivered at Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS9 1BN.

Wednesday 6pm to 8.30pm Grace Ingram
- 6 sessions from 2 November £116/£74 T25A Stoke Lodge
- 6 sessions from 22 February £116/£74 T25B Stoke Lodge
- 6 sessions from 19 April £116/£74 T25C Stoke Lodge
- 6 sessions from 7 June £116/£74 T25D Stoke Lodge
Book Now
UPHOLSTERY ON SATURDAYS: ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS
Upholstery On Saturdays

These one-day workshops can be used as a “taster” or as an opportunity to complete an unfinished project. If you intend to finish a project in a day, please bring fabric and braid (if appropriate). Please choose a small, manageable piece. No previous experience necessary.

This workshop will be delivered at Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS9 1BN.

Pieces of furniture cannot be stored at Stoke Lodge due to limited storage space.
- Saturday 10am to 4pm Nicola Hamilton
- 1 session on 15 October £55/£40 T14A Stoke Lodge
And
- Saturday 10am to 4pm Nicola Hamilton
- 1 session on 12 November £55/£40 T14B Stoke Lodge
And
- Saturday 10am to 4pm Nicola Hamilton
- 1 session on 10 December £55/£40 T14C Stoke Lodge
And
- Saturday 10am to 4pm Nicola Hamilton
- 1 session on 4 February £55/£40 T14D Stoke Lodge
And
- Saturday 10am to 4pm Nicola Hamilton
- 1 session on 4 March £55/£40 T14E Stoke Lodge
Book Now

Testimonials

Here is what our happy learners have to say about our courses.

Knowledgeable & Passionate

The tutors were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about fostering our growth as writers. The personalized feedback I received was invaluable in honing my skills and pushing me to new creative heights.

James M

Novelist

Insightful & Supportive

The tutors provided insightful guidance and created a supportive environment where I felt comfortable exploring my creativity. Through the course, I discovered my unique writing voice and gained the confidence to share my stories with the world.

Sarah T

Writer (Short Stories)

Constructive & Inspirational

The feedback I received was constructive and pushed me to refine my craft further. This course rekindled my passion for writing and inspired me to explore new avenues of storytelling. I would recommend the course.

Jonathan G

Author

Tutor Profile

Carolyn Lewis Creative Writing Tutor

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the courses like?

Courses are relaxed and friendly. Most of our courses are in small groups of 6 to 8 learners. Each learner has their own workspace in the classroom and the tutor will work with you on individual aspects of your project.

A suitable project can be anything from foot stool or dining chair to a small armchair or wing chair. Learners have even chosen to upholster headboards for beds. The techniques learned depend to an extent on the project you bring, from webbing and springing to stitched edges, box cushions and other soft furnishings.

Courses are hands-on from the start and you will begin work on your project during the first lesson. There may be dust involved when stripping the furniture and loose tacks and staples on the floor therefore dress appropriately and wear suitable footwear.
Where do the courses take place?

Courses take place in our workshop at Stoke Lodge. Stoke Lodge is our adult learning centre off Shirehampton Road in Stoke Bishop. The building has been hosting adult learning classes for over 50 years and is a beautiful old house set in fantastic grounds. We have plenty of free car parking and our back car park is closest to the annexe building and the upholstery classroom.

The upholstery room is a spacious room on the ground floor of our annexe building. The room has large windows and French doors that open out to the grounds so there is plenty of natural light.
Are refreshments available?

Yes, we have a morning and an afternoon tea/coffee break at Stoke Lodge.

Drinks are served in the main building (just next to the annexe) and we charge £1 for a cup of tea, coffee or herbal tea with biscuits.

Tea breaks are a great way to step away from your project, grab a drink and catch up with learners on your course or those on other courses in the building. Its always a nice social part of the day where everyone gets the chance to stretch their legs and refresh.
Do I need any previous experience?

Need More Information

Contact us now

Need more information regarding our creative writing courses? You can call us on 0117 903 8844, email or visit us in person at Stoke Lodge. Office hours applies.

Stoke Lodge Adult Learning Centre
Shirehampton Road, Bristol, BS9 1BN

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