Contemporary Crafts courses in London
City Lit is the place to develop your craft. Throughout the year, we offer classes in Basketry, Bookbinding, Calligraphy and Mosaics. We have a range of courses to suit our students at every level — from introductory courses for curious beginners, to advanced long courses if you are a professional and you want to develop your practice.
Our studios are perfectly equipped which allows us to create engaging and interactive courses for you. All our tutors are experienced crafters, designers, and makers in their own fields. So as a City Lit student, you’ll get the benefit of learning from their working knowledge.
Our courses also make use of the City Lit Design and Digital lab creating craft courses with a digital element to explore the possibilities of working with traditional craft. Many of our courses are delivered online, offering more accessibility for learners.
We host exhibitions throughout the year at City Lit Gallery where our students showcase their amazing work.
64 courses available
Print, design and bindExplore simple printmaking and bookbinding techniques to create handmade artists’ books. This practical four-day course encourages playful and creative approaches to print, paper and folded book forms. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience.
Keeley Street
Sat 17 Oct 2026Lorenzo DavittiFull fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00- More mosaicsExplore surface qualities including smooth, textured and relief work, as well as covering non-flat shapes. A wide range of approaches from fine art to ornament will be considered. Please bring ideas. Basic materials provided. All levels welcome.
Keeley Street
Sat 31 Oct 2026Vanessa BensonFull fee £549.00 Senior fee £439.00 Concession £357.00 - Modern calligraphyLearn how to write elegant and stylish letterforms using a flexible pointed nib with ink. Once you’ve learnt how to write a basic alphabet, we’ll begin breaking the rules of traditional calligraphy to find a style that is all your own. The course is suitable for beginners as well as improvers.Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £259.00
- Bookbinding: notebooks and folders
Learn how to make single sheet folded books, a simple multi-section sewn book and a folded slipcase. This weekend course is an opportunity to make an exciting range of notebooks and folders and learn some useful bookbinding techniques. Suitable for beginners.
Keeley Street
Sat 31 Oct 2026Kate RochesterFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Elegant capitals in modern calligraphy
Capital letters are the jewels of calligraphy - bold, graceful, and endlessly expressive. This course invites you to master the art of elegant capitals, blending technical precision with creativity to elevate your calligraphic work. Whether you are looking to refine your skills or bring a modern edge to traditional forms, this six-week class offers the perfect space to experiment, practise, and create beautiful capital letterforms.
Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £259.00 - Calligraphy: illumination and gilding
Create an illuminated letter using gilding and simple decoration. This course offers an introduction to the art of illumination through the study and practice of traditional and modern gilding and decorative techniques. Suitable for those who are new to illumination as well as those with some experience.
Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Beginning miniature bookbindingExplore the charm of tiny books in this introduction to miniature bookbinding. You will discover the history and appeal of this unique style and make three adorable miniature books to take home. Suitable for beginners.
Keeley Street
Thu 5 Nov 2026Royston HawardFull fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00 - Calligraphy for beginners
Learn how to write formal calligraphy scripts using a 3.8mm Pilot parallel calligraphy pen. The parallel calligraphy pen is a versatile, transportable broad-edged cartridge pen which allows you to write thick and thin strokes to create scripts such as gothic, italic and Carolingian. Advice will be given on other tools and materials you can use for calligraphy. This course is suitable for left and right-handers. Please read the course outline carefully as you will need to bring some things with you to the first session.
Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00 - Bookbinding: box makingLearn how to make slipcases and clamshell boxes. Get creative with decorative and plain papers, cloth and board to complete beautiful containers to house your books and objects.
Keeley Street
Fri 6 Nov 2026Ina BaumeisterFull fee £449.00 Senior fee £359.00 Concession £292.00 - Book conservation for beginners I
This course will introduce some of the basic principles and techniques used in book conservation. You will learn about the structure, collating and pulling of a book, practise paper cleaning and repair and learn how to re-sew a text-block, mend damaged corners and re-hinge boards. You will need to bring a cloth-covered book to work on so please read the course outline in full before the course starts.
Keeley Street
Thu 12 Nov 2026Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00 - Try it out: bookbindingDip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the tools, materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive book to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £149.00
- Further Rush basketry
This course is a deeper exploration for students who have some previous experience in rush basketry. You will be shown techniques to use with rush and other materials to make non-traditional rush baskets.
Keeley Street
Tue 5 Jan 2027John PageFull fee £369.00 Senior fee £295.00 Concession £240.00 - Try it out: mosaicsAn introduction to this specialised craft where you will be taken through the process to make a small mosaic piece.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £149.00
- Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediateThis course is ideal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.Full fee £569.00 Senior fee £455.00 Concession £370.00
- Calligraphy after workLearn the principles and explore the essential steps of calligraphy using a range of tools and techniques to create an individual piece. Suitable for beginners as well as improvers, left or right handers welcome.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00
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