In this story:
- 1. Create your own masterpiece at a pottery class
- 2. Discover hidden talents at a painting workshop
- 3. Mix it up at a cocktail-making class
- 4. Cook up a storm in a culinary workshop
- 5. Craft beautiful bouquets in a flower arranging session
- 6. Design your own perfume at a fragrance workshop
- 7. Get crafty with a jewellery-making class
- 8. Explore the art of calligraphy
- 9. Try your hand at terrarium building
- Book your next creative adventure
Looking for fun things to do in London with friends that go beyond the usual pub crawls and tourist attractions? The capital is bursting with creative workshops and classes that offer the perfect opportunity to bond with your mates while learning something new in 2026. From pottery and painting to cocktail making and cooking, here's our guide to the most enjoyable and enriching activities for friend groups in London.
1. Create your own masterpiece at a pottery class
There's something deeply satisfying about shaping clay with your own hands. Pottery classes have become one of the most popular fun things to do in London with friends – and for good reason! Whether you're complete beginners or have some experience, the feeling of creating something unique from scratch is unbeatable.
At workshops across the city, friendly instructors will guide you through the basics of throwing on the wheel or hand-building techniques. The best part? You'll walk away with your own handmade mug, bowl, or sculpture as a lasting memory of your day out with friends.
Pottery loving crafter Laura and her friends loved their time at Brandon Le's kintsugi pottery class - just the thing for creative beginners! Here's her five-star review:
"We went to this for my best friend's birthday and we all loved it. Brandon and Lee were excellent teachers, both hilarious and informative. The class ran at a really great pace, we learned a lot about the philosophy behind Kintsugi, as well as loads of tips for how to do it well. We all want to return to make more pottery and soak up the fun vibes of the class. Thank you!"
2. Discover hidden talents at a painting workshop
Fancy channelling your inner Picasso? Painting classes offer a brilliant way to express yourself while enjoying quality time with friends. Many studios in London now offer paint-and-sip sessions, where you can enjoy a glass of wine while creating your artwork – perfect for relaxing and letting your creativity flow!
These workshops cater to all skill levels, so there's no need to worry if you haven't picked up a paintbrush since primary school. The casual, supportive atmosphere makes painting one of the most enjoyable fun things to do in London with friends who want to try something different.
Aspring artist Dilara Balci and crew had a wonderful time at their BYOB paint and sip experience - read all about it in their glowing review:
"Our Paint and Sip experience was brilliant! Perfect for friends, family or a date. Our teacher Connor was lovely, he is very approachable and kind."
3. Mix it up at a cocktail-making class
Learn how to shake, stir and pour like a professional mixologist at a cocktail-making workshop. This is one of the most entertaining fun things to do in London with friends who appreciate a good drink with a side of education!
Expert bartenders will teach you the secrets behind classic cocktails and contemporary creations. You'll learn about different spirits, flavour combinations, and techniques while enjoying plenty of tasting opportunities. It's a hands-on experience that combines learning with laughter – the perfect recipe for a memorable outing with mates.
.jpg)
4. Cook up a storm in a culinary workshop
Food brings people together, and cooking classes offer a delicious way to connect with friends while expanding your culinary repertoire. From perfecting pasta from scratch to mastering the art of sushi rolling, London's cooking workshops cover cuisines from around the world.
Working side by side in the kitchen creates natural opportunities for conversation and collaboration. Plus, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour together at the end! For food-loving friends seeking fun things to do in London, cooking classes deliver both skills and satisfaction.
Craft community member Hayley Marchant celebrated a 50th birthday in style with the Asian dimsum cooking class from Simon & Hanna's Foodie Kitchen. If you fancy making yourself hungry, here's her five-star take on the experience:
"Amazing afternoon with Simon and Hanna, to celebrate a 50th Birthday and we now have great memories!! We made three types of buns, which were all delicious, and they also catered for 3 vegans in the group. If you want a fun a memorable day out with friends/family, get it booked!! Thanks you Simon & Hanna :)"
5. Craft beautiful bouquets in a flower arranging session
Flower arranging workshops have blossomed into one of the most popular creative classes in London. These sessions teach you how to select, prepare and arrange seasonal blooms into stunning displays that would make any florist proud.
There's something incredibly calming about working with fresh flowers, making this an ideal activity for friends looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You'll learn professional techniques while creating something beautiful to take home – a lovely reminder of your time together.
6. Design your own perfume at a fragrance workshop
For a truly unique experience, why not try creating your own signature scent? Perfume-making workshops guide you through the fascinating world of fragrances, teaching you about different notes and how they work together.
You'll blend various essential oils to create a personalised perfume that reflects your personality. It's one of the more unusual fun things to do in London with friends, offering a sensory experience that stimulates creativity and conversation.
7. Get crafty with a jewellery-making class
Designing and creating your own jewellery pieces provides both creative fulfilment and a practical outcome. Workshops across London offer instruction in various techniques, from beading and wire-wrapping to silver smithing for the more adventurous.
Working with small, intricate materials requires focus and attention to detail – a welcome change of pace from our screen-dominated lives. Plus, there's nothing quite like the pride of wearing something you've made yourself or giving it as a gift.
If you fancy something a little bit different to share with your mates, do like keen crafter Shona Lavey-Khan and try a floral resin jewellery workshop! Here's how she got on:
"A lovely relaxing workshop with Hava! Me and my friends really enjoyed being able to make individual jewellery items to take home and enjoy. It was great to learn a new skill with lots of support from Hava if needed. It was somehow easier and more difficult than expected but very enjoyable and proud of my creations. Thanks!"
8. Explore the art of calligraphy
In our digital age, there's something refreshingly tangible about putting pen to paper. Modern calligraphy workshops teach you how to create beautiful lettering that can transform ordinary cards, invitations or gifts into something extraordinary.
These classes typically start with basic strokes before progressing to full alphabets and words. The rhythmic nature of calligraphy can be almost meditative, making it one of the more relaxing fun things to do in London with friends who appreciate mindful activities.
9. Try your hand at terrarium building
Bring a touch of green into your life with a terrarium-building workshop. These sessions teach you how to create self-contained plant ecosystems in glass containers – perfect for urban dwellers with limited space for gardening.
You'll learn about different plant varieties, soil types, and maintenance techniques while creating a beautiful living decoration. It's a wonderful way to connect with nature in the heart of the city and one of the most satisfying fun things to do in London with friends who have (or aspire to have) green fingers.
Ed Marsh and his friend understood the assignment when they tried this terrarium making workshop in London. Here's his wonderful review of this five-star experience:
"A really lovely and intimate session to make our terrariums! Naz kept a very fluid atmosphere running for us to work on our pieces calmly and with reflection. The peaceful process and conversation was a delightful way to wind down after a day at work and catch up with a friend, and creative in an entirely new way! I’m not great a precise crafty things but we had ample time and it was definitely a fulfilling result."
Book your next creative adventure
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to try something different with your mates, London's creative workshops offer experiences that go beyond the ordinary. These classes provide not just fun things to do in London with friends, but opportunities to learn, grow, and create lasting memories together.
So gather your friends and book a class – you might just discover a new passion or hidden talent along the way!
.jpg)
Runs regularly
Nine Elms
1 to 65 guests
£34 - £40
6 years in business
