"Bring your own" craft retreat in Winchester | 14th to 20th November 2027

Your creative holiday package has been thoughtfully curated to provide a seamless, relaxing, and inspiring experience, including:

Accommodation
Relax in a beautifully appointed single or double occupancy room at Norton Park Hotel & Spa, a charming Spa & Wellness hotel offering comfort, character, and a tranquil setting nearby Winchester. 

Meals
Savour delicious breakfasts, lunches, and three-course dinners, lovingly prepared by the hotels talented in-house chef using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Excursions
Enjoy guided excursions with all entrance fees and transport included, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience.

Stitching Work Room
Benefit from exclusive access to a dedicated stitching room, fully equipped with comfortable tables, chairs, and magnifying lamps to support your creative journey in a peaceful and inspiring environment.

Time in workshop
Enjoy 27 hours and more of time being creative with likeminded people. Ask questions, share ideas, show and tell of your previous finished projects, networking with fellow crafters and learn about other crafts. 

While we have taken care of most details for you, the following items are not included:

Travel to and from Norton Park Hotel & Spa
Guests are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Norton Park Hotel & Spa. 

Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended and remains the responsibility of each guest.

Beverages
Drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, are not included unless specified.

Meals Away from the Property
One dinner during off-site excursions is not included.

Airport or Rail Transfers
Transfers between your arrival point and Norton Park Hotel & Spa are not included in the package price but can be added to your booking for an additional cost.

Project Materials / Tutor Kit
This class has no tutor kit as you will be bringing you own craft projects. You can bring as many craft projects as you like. 

Address:

Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House

Winchester

SO21 3NB

Tel : +44 196276300

By Car:

Norton Park Hotel & Spa enjoys an excellent location just off the M3, making it easily accessible from across the UK. Situated near Junction 8 at Sutton Scotney, the hotel can be reached in just 2–3 minutes from the motorway.

By Train:

Frequent services operate from London Waterloo to Winchester, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour. From Winchester Railway Station, the hotel is around 10 miles (16 km) away and can be reached by taxi in approximately 15–20 minutes. Alternatively, guests travelling from London Paddington can take a train to Basingstoke, followed by a taxi journey of around 20 minutes to the hotel.

By Air:

From London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport offers convenient access to Norton Park Hotel & Spa by both road and rail. The quickest option is a private taxi or pre-booked airport transfer, with a journey time of approximately 50–60 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively, take the RailAir coach or the Elizabeth Line to Reading or London, before connecting to a train to Winchester. From Winchester Railway Station, the hotel is just a 15–20 minute taxi ride away. For guests travelling with luggage, a private transfer from Heathrow provides the most comfortable and straightforward journey to the hotel.

From Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport is the closest airport to Norton Park Hotel & Spa, located approximately 20 miles (32 km) away. A taxi or pre-booked transfer takes around 25–30 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively, guests can take a direct train from Southampton Airport Parkway to Winchester, a journey of approximately 15 minutes, followed by a 15–20 minute taxi ride to the hotel. This combination of rail and taxi offers a convenient option for those arriving by air.

Meals
Your stay at Norton Park Hotel & Spa includes a delicious selection of meals to keep you nourished and inspired throughout your retreat:

Breakfast: Start each day with a buffet-style breakfast offering a range of continental options alongside freshly prepared eggs.

Lunch: A light lunch is served daily and may include seasonal salads, homemade quiches, warming soups, and freshly baked bread.

Dinner: Each evening, enjoy a thoughtfully prepared three-course meal featuring locally sourced ingredients and a variety of flavours.

Accommodation
Guests will stay in charming Manor hotel bedrooms that each reflect the character and comfort of this elegant Manor house. All rooms are en-suite and come equipped with tea and coffee making facilities to help you feel right at home.

To ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay during your creative retreat near Winchester, we recommend packing the following essentials:

Clothing for All Weathers
The British weather can be unpredictable! Pack layers, including a warm jacket. It is November after all and bring a scarf and cloves. 

Comfortable Footwear
Bring supportive shoes suitable for walking tours, excursions, and leisurely strolls around Winchester. 

Craft Equipment
Bring your preferred craft supplies, such as scissors, needles, or any personal tools you enjoy working with. Specialist materials for retreat projects will be provided.

Camera or Smartphone
Capture the inspiring landscapes, historic sites, and special moments of your creative journey.

Travel Adapters
If you are visiting from outside the UK, remember to bring a suitable travel adapter (UK plugs are Type G).

Personal Items
Don’t forget your chargers, medications, and any personal comforts that will help you feel at home during your stay.

Having these items will help you make the most of your stitching sessions, excursions, and well-deserved relaxation time.

Health and Accessibility

If you have any severe medical conditions or specific accessibility needs, we kindly ask that you contact us before making your booking.
We are happy to discuss your individual requirements to ensure that we can provide the best possible support and advice for your stay.

Your comfort, safety, and enjoyment are our priority.

Our Bring Your Own (BYO) Retreats are designed for crafters who simply want uninterrupted time to enjoy their favourite hobby in the company of like-minded people. There is no tutor and no formal teaching programme, giving you complete freedom to spend each day working on the projects that inspire you most.

Whether you are looking to finish a long-neglected project or begin something entirely new, you are welcome to bring whatever you would like to work on. Our guests enjoy an incredible variety of crafts, including embroidery, lacemaking, quilting, patchwork, textile art, dressmaking, knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving, beading, paper crafts, mixed media, woodcarving, painting, jewellery making, card making, and much more. If you can bring it with you, you are welcome to create it here.

The retreat offers a relaxed and supportive environment where everyone works independently at their own pace. While there is no formal instruction, these retreats are wonderfully social, with guests often sharing ideas, techniques, inspiration, and encouragement over a cup of tea or during meals. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn informally from fellow makers while enjoying dedicated time for your own creativity.

Whether you are an experienced maker or simply looking for a few days of peaceful crafting, our "Bring your own" Retreats provide the ideal escape to relax, create, and connect with others who share your passion for making.

Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.

Cancellation charge:

Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable

Deposits

For any holiday, we require a non-refundable deposit of 20% of holiday cost. If your deposit payment is not received within 7 days, the holiday may be offered to other interested parties.

Payment of holiday cost

The balance of your holiday cost must be settled 8 weeks prior to the commencement date of your holiday. If your holiday booking is made within 8 weeks of commencement, payment must be made in full immediately on booking. If payments are not made in accordance to this schedule, bookings will be treated as cancellations and deposits will not be refunded.

Insurance

Every person for whom a holiday is booked with Creative Experiences must have adequate insurance cover and must be able to show us proof of insurance upon request.

Cancellation by the client

Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.

Cancellation charge:

Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable

Alteration by Creative Experiences

If in the unlikely event that there have to be any alteration made by Creative Experiences, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you one of the following options.

1. I) To accept the new arrangements
2. II) To cancel your holiday and receive a full refund.

We will not be liable for refunding any expenses, which have been occurred as a result of the booking.

Our holidays require a minimum amount of guests to be able to to continue with the holiday. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone the holiday in case the minimum number has not been achieved.

Changes

Should you wish to change your booking, Creative Experiences will endeavour to accommodate any changes subject to any differences in price and availability, but cannot guarantee that changes can be made. Creative Experiences will make an administration charge of £50 for any change in booking. Bookings cannot be changed within 2 weeks of the start of your holiday.

Responsibility

Creative Experiences will not be liable for any loss or damages occurred to any client as a result of:

Any event or circumstance which could have been avoided if the client had taken reasonable care.

Any circumstance or event which Creative Experiences or its suppliers could not have foreseen or prevented even with all due care and attention.

Circumstances out of the reasonable control of Creative Experiences such as strikes, wars, civil or political unrest, quarantine restrictions, terrorism, government actions, natural or nuclear disaster adverse weather conditions including injury or illness to staff thus reducing level of service.

Injury, illness or death due to any activity at any time during your holiday, except where such injury or death is caused by the negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences.

Loss of, theft of or damage to any of your belongings at any time of your holiday, whether within the chalet, in the neighbourhood or otherwise.

Injury, illness or death associated with the consumption of any food or drink we may supply except where such illness, injury or death is caused by the wilful negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences or its directors, officers or employees.

Excursion days

We do not accept responsibility if an artisan or person does not show up or cancels private booked excursion such as walking tours, artisan lessons, cooking lessons, wine tastings etc. Should this situation arise, Creative Experiences will try their very best to book another excursion and find an alternative at no cost to the client.

Our suppliers

Creative Experiences is working with third party suppliers such as hotels, villas, transfer companies and others. We are more than happy to discuss any of your requirements such as food allergies with hotels, specific room allocations, pick and drop off times with transfers companies, however we cannot guarantee that your request can be fulfilled. In case of special client requirements not being accepted by the third party, we will be contacting you at our earliest convenience to let you know.

Complaints and Problems

In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday, you must immediately inform the Creative Experiences representative and the supplier of the service(s) in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to our representative and the supplier as soon as possible. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to solve it. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return to your home country giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. We regret we do not accept any liability in relation to any complaint or claim which is not notified entirely in accordance with this clause.

Website Accuracy

Please note that the information and prices shown on this website may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website and prices, regrettably errors occasionally do occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. The website is the sole responsibility of Creative Experiences. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit any independent organization/carriers whose services are featured in it.

Emergency

Creative Experience will provide you with assistance in case of emergency during your holiday with us. We can help you bringing you to health services, working with local authorities and international consulate in case you lost your passport or important papers.

If you have an emergency because of your own negligence, Creative Experiences may ask you for a fee occurred during the process such as extra transfers, missed bookings with third parties and more.

Conduct

When you enjoy your holiday with Creative Experiences, you are responsible for any damage or loss caused by you. In case of damage in a hotel or villa (third party supplier), the client has to pay the damage charges directly to the supplier.

We do reserve the rights to cancel your holiday, in case you put others in danger through your actions, verbal abuse and by causing significant distress to other holiday makers who are joining that group. We do not tolerate violence or abuse in any form to our clients or staff members.