Courses and Workshops in the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

There’s never a bad time to try something new, pick up a different skill or expand your passions. We’ve gathered up some of the best places to learn, grow and share new experiences with like-minded people.

Keep fit and make friends with a salsa class, try your hand at creative writing or exercise your artistic impulses with the abundance of courses, classes and workshops we’re blessed with in the North.

This is just a sample of the courses and workshops on offer in the North, scroll down to find out more.

Our top picks

Leeds Print Workshop

Leeds Print Workshop, Patrick Studios, Leeds, LS9 7EH - Visit now

Leeds Print Workshop is a co-operative, membership-based printmaking studio, open to all those with an interest in print. Join them as a member or attend one of their many accessible courses and workshops.

Swarthmore Education Centre

Swarthmore Education Centre, 2-7 Woodhouse Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1AD - Visit now

Nestled into the outer edges of Leeds city centre Swarthmore offers alternative education in an array of areas from maths to languages and art.

Swarthmore is a centre for lifelong learning, community projects and family learning sessions as well as the courses and activities. Their main aim is to encourage people who want to learn but might not feel comfortable in more formal educational institutions. They work on a friendly, human scale, offering a confidential counselling service and learning support.
Courtesy of Swarthmore Education Centre

Folk and World Choir at Band on the Wall

Folk and World Choir at Band on the Wall, Manchester, Until 23 July 2026 - Book now

Sing with a group of equally passionate and interesting people every Tuesday evening at Band on the Wall.

Image supplied by Band on the Wall

Learn to Sew with Stitched Up at Stretford Mall

Learn to Sew with Stitched Up at Streford Mall at Stitched up at Stretford Mall, Manchester, Until 18 October 2026, from £75.00 - Book now

Learn to sew with the friendly experts and sustainability enthusiasts at Stitched Up with this three week introduction to sewing.

Salsa workshops at Instituto Cervantes Manchester

Salsa workshop at Instituto Cervantes, Manchester, Until 2 December 2025, from £63.00 - Book now

Enter into the world of Salsa dancing with expert guidance and a friendly community at Instituto Cervantes Manchester. 

Alliance Française de Manchester

Alliance Française de Manchester, 125 Portland St,, Manchester, M1 4QD - Visit now

Manchester’s cultural Francophile hub, has a range of courses for French language learners. Whether you’re starting from scratch or know French as a first language, there are plenty of classes, discussions and culture clubs to get involved with.

Life Drawing Manchester

Bee Creative Life Drawing, Until 31 July 2026, from £10 - Book now

Join this welcoming and friendly group of artists and amateurs as they share a glass of wine and some focused time drawing.

life drawing

Cloud Aerial

Cloud Aerial, Unit A Aldow Enterprise Park, Blackett Street , Manchester , M12 6AE - Visit now

Try aerial and discover why so many people have become obsessed with its perfect combination of exercise and art form.

The Workshop, Jewellery Studio

The Workshop, Jewellery Studio, 9 Hollins Place, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 8EU - Visit now

Hebden Bridge is well established as a meeting place for makers, artists and craftspeople at the top of their trade. It’s therefore unsurprising to hear of a jewellery studio in this innovative town that is welcoming those wishing to learn the skills and knowledge needed for crafting silver jewellery.

The Workshop
Image by Jonathan Schofield.
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