Top 10 Best Reading classes, courses, learnings kits and gifts in the UK

Two classes in one! It’s not school and we know you’re here for fun, so even when we’re talking baffling-sounding terms like “K2tog”, “psso” and “yf” the aim is still to teach you the lingo in a chilled environment. You’ll then move onto cable stitching for the last part of the class. So if you still read ‘M1’ and think of the morning rush hour, this is the perfect opportunity to learn to follow knitting patterns yourself. Once you’ve mastered the basics of cable stitch, pattern reading and how to choose yarn and needles, the possibilities are endless!

Book-lovers often talk about the intoxicating scent of books, but have you ever thought about the sounds a book makes? The crack of a spine, the rustle of the pages? Come explore a new sensory world at this unique Sound Book Workshop at Merton Abbey Mills. In this class The workshop will be run by the Sound Book Project, a group of collaborative artists and musicians who use books as instruments. You'll start off by listening to the sounds different types of books make: hardcovers, wax-covers, and even the clack of a typewriter. Microphones and special effects will be used to play with the sounds and create different compositions. Poetry will also be explored. The final product will be a participatory sound piece, performed by all workshop participants. Under 16s go free! Now you can get 'in tune' with a sense that you might not otherwise associate with books learn some cool new audio tips and tricks allow your inner musician and bibliophile to be best friends

Books have always been portals to other worlds, but their creative potential doesn't end there. This unique class at Merton Abbey Mills is the perfect introduction to the craft of book arts. Beginners welcome; you'll learn the many ways in which you can turn these powerful paper objects into something entirely new. In this class In this class, you'll learn the many ways you can sculpt and tease books into unique art objects. Three activities will be pre-picked out of the following: book sculpting, pamphlet binding, collage/black-out books, miniature book jewelry and narrative photo books. The class is designed to give you a little taster of multiple book arts; so you can decide which world is calling you the most! Now you can craft original art pieces to give to book-loving friends and family repurpose old books you might have been meaning to donate discover new ways to celebrate and immortalise words and literature Keep You'll get to go home with your lovely literary creation, be it a sculpture, photo book or cute piece of jewelry. Participants are advised to bring an old book of their own along (though some will be available from the studio if you can't bear to reinvent your favourite tome!)

You probably talk to fellow humans every day, but have you ever tried talking to a tree? This one-of-a-kind workshop at Merton Abbey Mills gives you a chance to. Through an 'embodied encounter with a tree', participants will explore and examine the art of language making. In this class This workshop aims to break down language-making into three parts: sound, movement and mark-making. Through your interaction with the tree, you'll examine how these components are made by and with the tree. You'll then use your findings to devise a short language performance to share with the group (optional). Under 16's can attend at a reduced price of £14. Now you can examine human language on a level you've never explored before discover that age-old concept of 'being at one with nature' choose a forest over a nightclub next time you want to get social Keep / bring Participants are encouraged to capture/document their experience, be it through a performance or writing. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of human language and our connection to the natural world.

Take a leaf out of Henry David Thoreau's book in this unique and interactive workshop in Merton Abbey Mills. Like the famous nature writer and poet, learn how your reading and writing practices are shaped by your environment, culminating in the production of your very own "tree text". In this class This workshop aims to explore how our reading and writing practices are influenced by the environments in which we practise them. The session will start by looking at 'tree texts' by other writers. You'll use cut-up, collage and adaptation techniques to re-work the texts, moving between indoor and outdoor environments. In the end, you'll produce your own unique 'tree text' influenced by the immersive experience. Object Book is an accessible and inclusive studio, but mobility - be it on foot or wheels - is required for this workshop to move between indoors and outdoors (Morden Hall Park). Under 16's can attend at a reduced rate of £14. Now you can have some leafy inspiration for your next writing or art project get in tune with the natural world and its influences become more conscious of your physical surroundings in an increasingly digital age Keep You'll leave with your own series of 'tree texts', which will culminate in a final tree piece. You'll also have a good excuse to head to Hyde Park or out to Epping Forest for some literary inspiration.

Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Dip into the world of photo storytelling in this narrative photo books workshop at Merton Abbey Mills. In this class In this class, you'll use photographs - either your own or sourced elsewhere - to make a narrative photo book. The book will not necessarily have to follow a linear order, and experimentation will be encouraged. You'll design the narrative first, sequence the photographs, and then bind them together yourself using a simple 'pamphlet stitch' book-binding method. Now you can create unique and meaningful photo books to capture your own stories or to give as gifts experiment with new storytelling forms and structures get your photos off Instagram and into the real tangible world Keep / bring Participants are asked to bring their own photographs to use. You'll leave with a photo book you've created yourself, bound and all: a corporeal story to hold in your hands.

Hey! Ho! Let's go. Chaos and Chucks, angst and art; tap into your pulsing punk rock heart in this exclusive Punk Band workshop for teenage girls at Merton Abbey Mills. In this class This workshop is a chance for teenage girls to live the punk rock dream. Punk bands will be formed, songs will be written, dress-ups will be worn, zines will be made, and microphones will well and truly be screamed into it. Noise, experimentation, emotion and abandon will be highly encouraged. Now you can tick 'join a band' off your bucket list learn some awesome arty skills, like lyric writing and zine creation discover a priceless outlet for all the thoughts and emotions churning and burning inside Keep / bring Even rockstars have to eat, so participants are asked to bring a packed lunch with them. You'll go home with the zines and songs you make, plus the musical foundation and friendships to become the next Ramones.