The Art of Craftsmanship –An Exclusive Journey into Endangered Arts
8 Days / 7 Nights - London - Prices from £6750 / $8450 pp - Activity Level: Easy
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Luxury 5-star accommodation in the heart of London
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Private, expert-led workshops in endangered crafts
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Exclusive access to master artisans and historic studios
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All transportation, private transfers, and curated experiences
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Gourmet meals, including welcome and farewell dinners
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Bespoke guided tours of London’s finest museums and galleries
Discover London’s hidden world of master artisans on this exclusive, small-group journey designed for art and craft lovers. Led by Millie Houston, a celebrated arts writer and former Digital Editor of Apollo magazine, this immersive experience takes you behind the scenes of historic workshops and private studios, where traditional crafts are being preserved for future generations.
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Over seven enriching days, you’ll meet expert artisans, take part in hands-on sessions in bookbinding, stained glass, leatherwork, and bespoke tailoring, and explore London’s finest museums and galleries with exclusive curator-led tours. From the heritage workshops of Savile Row and Cockpit Arts to rare visits with master weavers and ceramicists, this is a journey that celebrates the artistry, skill, and legacy of British craftsmanship.
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Designed for those who appreciate slow travel, fine craftsmanship, and meaningful experiences, this unique trip offers a chance to immerse yourself in London’s creative heritage, meet like-minded travelers, and create your own handmade keepsakes in workshops led by the country’s finest artisans.
Day 1: Arrival & Private Welcome to London’s Craft Heritage
Arrive in London and check into a luxurious boutique hotel, centrally located near historic artisan quarters. Begin your journey with an exclusive curator-led tour at the V&A Museum, exploring its world-class textile and decorative arts collections. Enjoy a private welcome dinner with a master artisan, who will share insights into the revival of endangered crafts in London.
Overnight: 5-star boutique hotel, Mayfair
Day 2: The Revival of British Textiles & Tailoring
Spend the morning at Savile Row, the heart of bespoke tailoring, where you’ll visit a private atelier and learn about the dying art of hand-sewn suits and heritage fabrics. In the afternoon, explore Cockpit Arts, an incubator for independent artisans, where you’ll meet textile weavers and embroiderers keeping traditional techniques alive. A private behind-the-scenes tour at Hand & Lock, London’s finest embroidery house since 1767, showcases how heritage embroidery is being reimagined for the modern world.
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Day 3: Stained Glass & Letterpress Printing
Begin the day in a historic stained glass studio, where you’ll try your hand at the delicate craft of glass painting and leading, a skill at risk due to the decline in traditional church restoration. After lunch, visit one of London’s last letterpress printing houses, where you’ll learn the intricacies of hand-setting type and printing with centuries-old presses. The evening is free to explore, with recommendations for historic artisan pubs in Covent Garden.
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Day 4: The Art of Leatherwork & Bespoke Shoemaking
Experience the world of bespoke shoemaking in Mayfair, visiting a private workshop where handcrafted footwear is still made using time-honored techniques. Meet master craftsmen and witness the intricate process of pattern cutting, leather shaping, and hand-stitching. In the afternoon, travel to Northamptonshire, home to some of England’s oldest leather artisans, for a rare private workshop on traditional leathercraft. Return to London for an intimate dinner at a private members' club, where a guest speaker will discuss the importance of preserving craft heritage.
Day 5: Bookbinding & Conservation Masterclass
Step into one of London’s last remaining handbookbinding studios, where artisans restore antique books using age-old techniques. Enjoy a hands-on workshop, learning to create your own marbled paper or leather-bound journal. In the afternoon, visit the British Library’s conservation department for an exclusive insight into manuscript restoration and paper preservation.
Overnight: 5-star boutique hotel, Mayfair
Day 6: Ceramics & Hand-Thrown Pottery
Travel to a renowned ceramics studio for a private masterclass in traditional pottery techniques, from wheel-throwing to glazing. Meet a contemporary ceramicist reviving London’s lost tradition of handmade porcelain and stoneware. The afternoon is yours to explore London’s artisanal markets, with curated recommendations for shopping bespoke crafts and rare handmade goods.
Overnight: 5-star boutique hotel, Mayfair
Day 7: Hidden London – Decorative Arts & Private Collections
Spend your penultimate day exploring London’s hidden artistic treasures with exclusive access to historic homes, private collections, and traditional decorative arts workshops. Begin with a curator-led tour of Sir John Soane’s Museum, a time capsule of artistic mastery and rare antiques. Then, visit a private decorative arts studio, where artisans specialize in gilding, marquetry, or antique restoration. After lunch, enjoy a floral design masterclass, learning techniques used by London’s top floral artists. The day concludes with afternoon tea in a historic setting, celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship that have shaped London’s cultural legacy.
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Day 8: Exclusive Artisan Experience & Farewell Celebration
Conclude your journey with a private visit to an artist’s studio, where you’ll engage in a final craft session and reflect on the preservation of endangered skills. Enjoy a farewell champagne lunch in an exclusive setting, celebrating your immersion into London’s artisanal world before departing in the afternoon.