Scenic Route
Enjoy a creative day out at Leeds Castle
If you're lacking inspiration and fancy a scenic trip with a difference, head to Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, Kent to explore the brilliant new Castle Crafts Café. Visitors of all ages can discover their creative side and take home a delightful handmade souvenir.
The beautiful landscape of the popular tourist attraction is the ideal place to relax, make friends and learn new practical skills. Try your hand at decorating a wonderfully original piece of pottery, with fully trained staff available for help and advice. There's a great range of bisque to choose from including mugs, bowls, jugs, flower pots and even pet bowls - all of which would make a lovely gift for someone special. Express your own personal style with a full colour palette of paints, and embellish the look with clever stencils, stamps or brushes. If the idea of a really personal keepsake appeals, you can use tiny hand and footprints for a cute, one of a kind design.
Keen fashionistas will love the T-Shirt printing workshop. Simply draw a motif or image onto paper using the innovative "Paint Me2" fabric paints and see it instantly transferred onto a blank top. There are idea books or templates for a little creative guidance, and the finished piece is both washable and colourfast. Children's shirts are £12.95, adult's cost £15.95.
The Café is open from 11am–6pm during the summer holidays and weekends. Tables can be pre-booked as part of birthday party packages at the castle. For more information, call 01622 765400, or see http://www.leeds-castle.com
