Textiles of Devon
Join Janice Gunner on this textile discovery holiday in Devon. Enjoy 2 full days of sewing workshops with Janice and an additional full day workshop at the Cowslip Workshop in Launceston’s with owner Jo. There will be the opportunity to explore the county’s quaint and charming towns, visit fascinating museums – some include private viewings and exclusive access, and travel along the glorious South Devon coastline by steam train, boat and bus!
Your Tour Includes
- 7 nights 4-star accommodation on half board
- 2 full day workshops with Janice, kit included
- Services of an Arena Travel Tour Manager
- Appliqué Workshop at Cowslip
- Excursions as described
Janice Gunner
Janice is an award-winning textile artist, teacher and author. Her most recent award being the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in Quilting at The Festival of Quilts 2019. She has published two books and has been teaching Textiles for over 30 years. Janice’s work is informed by the natural world and traditional textile techniques from many countries including Japan and Africa and her work is exhibited frequently. She is currently researching natural dyes as part of her MA in Textiles. Janice has a particular interest in traditional Japanese textile techniques including Shibori which was the subject of one of her books. When she is not travelling, Janice likes to visit museums and art galleries, listen to music, photography and reading.
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Make your own way to Devon and join Janice Gunner and your Arena Travel Tour Manager at the Woodbury Park Hotel near Exeter. This evening you will join your fellow stitchers for dinner, the perfect opportunity to get to know one another.
Includes Dinner
Overview
This morning we will have exclusive access to Fairlynch Museum, housed in a beautiful, thatched cottage by the beach. It has a nationally important costume collection consisting of more than 3,000 outfits and accessories. The oldest costumes in their possession date from as early as 1700! Enjoy some time here to admire the costumes as well as other textiles including lace.
The day continues to Honiton to visit the All Hallows Museum of Lace and Local Antiquities. The market town of
Honiton is set in the East Devon area of outstanding natural beauty and is well-known for its lace and pottery. The museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of Honiton Lace in the world. Spend time browsing the displays which feature examples of 17th to early 21st century Honiton lace.
Later this afternoon we will travel to Coldharbour Mill, where they bring the industrial revolution to life. Largely
untouched since Victorian times, today Coldharbour remains in production using heritage looms. We will learn how introducing steam and waterpower proved to be the turning point in history. Enjoy a guided tour and the
opportunity to browse the mill shop filled with yarns, rugs and fabrics.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Today we will enjoy our first full day workshop with Janice at the hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM) is in the heart of Exeter and offers fascinating displays and galleries of Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections. On our visit we will enjoy a guided tour of the museum with one of the curators who will highlight the textiles and dress on display. Additionally, we will have a private viewing of one of the Joanna Southcott quilts.
After visiting RAMM you will have some time at leisure in Exeter for shopping and lunch before driving to John Arbon Textiles later in the afternoon. John Arbon Textiles produce traditional British-made yarn and tops designed, blended and spun using vintage machinery. We will learn all about their process on a tour of the mill.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Our second full day workshop at the hotel with Janice.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Venture into South Devon and explore all it has to offer by steam train, river boat and bus. Today, we will visit the charming and quaint towns of Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes with a local guide.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
Cowslip Workshop is Launceston’s specialist patchwork shop and café. We will spend a full day here enjoying an appliqué workshop for a Pie Crust Daisy Pincushion with Jo. This workshop will mostly be completed by hand-sewing with the opportunity to complete the project by machine.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
After a leisurely breakfast, check out of your hotel and say goodbye to your fellow stitchers and expert Janice.
Includes Breakfast
Tour Notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. On excursion days you will need to walk a short distance from the hotel to the coach and you should be able to board the coach unaided. On arrival at the excursion destination, you should be able to alight the coach unaided and there may be a walk between the coach drop off point and the excursion venue. By their nature, walking tours, museum visits etc involve being on your feet for a significant amount of time. Whilst our excursions are taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
Single Room Supplement from £625.00 (8 days).
Crafted for Quilters
Specially designed for quilters, this Stitchtopia quilting holiday is the ideal opportunity to indulge in your favourite hobby and pick up some new crafty tips and tricks. Our talented quilting expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host inspirational workshops with a beautifully designed project to spark your creativity.
Accommodation
You will be staying at the 4-star Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club for seven nights.
Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club
Near Exeter this 4-star hotel sits in the heart of the picturesque Devon countryside. It is an ideal location to explore the county. The hotel is elegantly decorated, and the rooms provide plenty of home comforts and space. It is perfectly located for golfers and those seeking a spa break. A great space to unwind in style.
Hotel Facilities
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Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Telephone
- Shower or Bath
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
General
- Restaurant
- Indoor Swimming Pool
- Lift
- Sauna or Steam Room
Service
- Gym
Hotel
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
