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Old Market Manor, Barton Manor
Bristol, BS2 0RL

Artisan natural dye studio, using locally foraged and organically grown natural dyes, bio-regionally sourced cloth and paper and low impact traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques. Offering limited edition gifts, bespoke services and a range of workshops to help creatives transition to using non-toxic practices and connecting communities with Nature using creativity as a medium.

Events

 



SOIL:THE WORLD AT OUR FEET

SOMERSET HOUSE, EMBANKMENT, LONDON.

Dates : 23 Jan - 13 Apr 2025

Price: £18.50/£15.00 concessions/ Child 6-11 £10.00/ Child 5 and under FREE

Find Botanical Inks natural dye goods in the curated SOIL marketplace at Somerset House.

This groundbreaking exhibition unites visionary artists and thinkers from around the world to explore the remarkable power and potential of soil. Through a range of artworks, artefacts and innovative approaches, visitors are invited to reconsider the crucial role soil plays in our planet's health. The exhibition delivers a message of hope and urgency, encouraging a more sustainable, harmonious relationship with the Earth—if we choose to act now. 

Soil is more than dirt. Soil is a secret world at our feet, an ecosystem as diverse in life as our night sky is full of stars. The billions of bacteria contained in its rhizospheres do for plants what the microbes in our stomachs do for us: sustain life. Our relationship with soil is our connection to Earth itself. Without soil, there is no us. 

 

 

“NOURISH” Creative Tropical SPA Retreat

KOH PHAGNAN. THAILAND

Dates : March 8th - 13th, 2025

Enjoy a balanced daily flow of natural colour workshops, wellness activities & nutritious communal meals with personal space for resting or exploration

Choose from a selection of accommodation options, from lower price luxury dormitories, to shared or private en-suite rooms.

 

 

INDIGO Dyeing WORKSHOP

Southcombe Cottage, Widecombe in the Moor, Devon, TQ13 7TU

Date : Friday April 18th

Time : 10am-4pm (Lunch break 1-2pm)

Price : Early Bird: £125 / Standard: £140

(Includes fabrics, dye materials, tea/coffee/biscuits)

A special one-off event, based at Babs’ creative studio and residence in the heart of Dartmoor.

In this workshop you will gain the skills to set up and use your own organic indigo vat using a simple recipe of just 3 natural ingrediants - organic indigo, lime and fructose.

You will dye sustainably sourced cotton fabrics and use Shibori resist-dye techniques to create beautiful repeat patterns.

 

 

Spring Retreat

in England's Lake District

Dates : April 25th - May 2nd, 2025

A week long retreat to explore the local wool farming and processing industry, incredible walks, yarn-based creative practices, lively discussions and shared group meals.

All based from the original setting chosen by Arthur Ransome for his children's book “Swallows and Amazons” at Bank Ground Farm.

 

 

Flower Bundle Dyeing

WORKSHOP + PLANT BASED LUNCH SERVED

@The Forge, Bristol

Date : Sunday May 11th, 2025

Time : 10am-4pm (Workshop 10-1.30/ Lunch 1.30-3pm)

Price : £85.00 (Early Bird) - £120.00 per person

(Includes a small organic UK-grown silk scarf, dye materials, tea/coffee/biscuits and lunch)

Learn to create mesmerising patterns on cloth, using a contemporary natural dyeing technique, also known as "bundle dyeing".

Experience the beauty and delight of using local, seasonal flowers, with their bright colours, floral fragrances and soft velvety textures, scattered over cloth and dyed with a low-water use, steaming technique to extract and fix the botanical colours into cloth.

 

 

MAY FLOWER retreat

DEVON, ENGLAND. UK

Southcombe Barn, Widecombe in the Moor, Devon, TQ13 7TU

Dates : May 23rd-26th, 2025


Immerse yourself in the beauty of Dartmoor and everything floral!

This is a heavenly time to be on the moor, enjoying the abundance of blossoming Mayflower trees, wildflowers and meadows full of bluebells to roam through.

Expect an inspiring creative experience, within a spacious, comfortable and restful retreat space. Along with fully catered organic and locally sourced vegan meals.

Residential and non-residential options are available.

 

 

JUNE retreat

DEVON, ENGLAND. UK

Southcombe Barn, Widecombe in the Moor, Devon, TQ13 7TU

Dates : June 6th-9th, 2025


Immerse yourself in the beauty of Dartmoor with the slow craft of natural dyeing.

This is the lovliest time of year to enjoy Dartmoor’s rich natural landscapes, with opportunities for walking, river swimming, forest bathing and star gazing, along with nourishing organic food & plant connection practices.

Expect an inspiring creative experience, within a spacious, comfortable and restful retreat space.

Residential and non-residential options are available.

Most meals are included and there will be one or two trips to local award-winning sustainable eateries to sample the local culinary delights!

 

 

JUNE ROSE retreat

DEVON, ENGLAND. UK

Southcombe Barn, Widecombe in the Moor, Devon, TQ13 7TU

Date : June 27th- 30th

A celebration of Rose, the queen of flowers and gateway to all the herbs.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Dartmoor and an array of Rose -themed natural dye practices and wellness rituals.

This is the lovliest time of year to enjoy Dartmoor’s rich natural landscapes, with opportunities for walking, river swimming, forest bathing and star gazing, along with nourishing organic food & plant connection practices.

Expect an inspiring creative experience, within a spacious, comfortable and restful retreat space. Along with fully catered organic and locally sourced vegan meals.

 

 

BOTANICAL Day retreat- IN COLLABORATION with BEX @Botanical tales

@SOUTHCOMBEBARN Widecombe In The Moor, Devon. TQ13 7TU

Date: September 27th, 2025

10-4pm (Optional sauna until 6pm)


Our botanically focused day retreat has been crafted around this beautiful point in the calendar intentionally, to allow us a moment to pause and savour the bounty and beauty of summer. A time to come together and share in thanks for all that the season has gifted us and together craft and weave flowers of the summer with our hands and hearts.