11 free or affordable hobby clubs to try across the UK
by Creative Lives in Progress
Resources
Published 15th July 2025
Trying a new hobby is one of the best ways to shake up your routine, and it’s even better when you’re doing it in person, alongside others. From pottery wheels and Mahjong tables to collage, bread-making and craft groups, there are plenty of clubs, workshops and social sessions that let you get hands-on, meet new people and learn by doing. Even better, they’re all free or budget-friendly, so you don’t have to spend loads to join in. Whether you’re in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds or beyond, here are 11 ways to start making (and connecting) IRL.
Mahjong Night by Twilight Lates
Cost: Free
Location: London
Frequency: Frequent (Keep an eye on their website for details)
Learn and play Cantonese Mahjong in a lively, music-filled setting that’s perfect for beginners and long-time fans alike. Come solo or with friends – you’ll be matched up on the night, making it a playful, social way to try something new.
London Lace Club
Cost: Typically free (or low shared costs for materials)
Location: London
Frequency: Every other Sunday
A welcoming lace-making group based in London, open to all levels, from total beginners to experienced makers. They meet every other Sunday for relaxed sessions to work on lace projects together, swap tips and enjoy the slow, social craft of lace. Follow them on Instagram for updates on meet-ups and to see members’ work.
Creative Lunch Club
Cost: £10 per 3 months
Location: UK and global
Frequency: Monthly
An innovative global community with chapters in various cities, The Creative Lunch Club brings creatives from different disciplines together. The concept is simple: every month, members are matched with two other creatives to grab lunch. They can share a meal, discuss ideas – and even make art together. In the UK, there are chapters in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Manchester.
Art4Space Crafternoons
Cost: Free – up to £50
Location: London
Frequency: Weekly
Art4Space is a non-profit community interest company that has been using art to create change and social justice since 1999. Its community arts centre provides various services, including workshops, training and classes. The art forms they specialise in include mosaics, kintsugi, ceramics and textiles – and they even have free “crafternoons” open to all.
Pottery at Dalston Clay
Cost: £45 (pay-what-you-can options available)
Location: London (Dalston)
Frequency: Weekly
Dalston Clay is a CIC and social enterprise that makes ceramics accessible to all, regardless of finances. Their Thursday night taster sessions cover handbuilding and wheel throwing, with unlimited clay, one-to-one help, music and tea in a friendly small-group setting. If money’s tight, they encourage you to get in touch about reduced costs.
Workshops at Key Club
Cost: Free
Location: London
Frequency: Monthly
Run by Turtle Key Arts, Key Club is a free monthly group for young creatives aged 18 to 30 on the autism spectrum. Each meet-up features a hands-on workshop — from writing to photography or circus skills — followed by social time to chat and connect. Sessions run in Hammersmith and Finchley.
PLACE
Cost: Varies (many are free or low-cost)
Location: London
Unlike the others here, PLACE isn’t a single club — it’s a platform that gathers creative workshops and events all over London. From poetry nights to bread-making, plant walks and art meet-ups, it’s a great way to find new hobbies and connect with local communities you might not have known existed.
Ancoats Visual Arts Peer Group
Cost: Free
Location: Manchester
Frequency: Every two weeks
A friendly, peer-led group that mixes crafts, conversation and hands-on making. It’s ideal for trying new creative skills without any pressure, meeting locals and sharing ideas in a welcoming environment.
Craft & Chat Club at Manchester Craft & Design Centre
Cost: Free
Location: Manchester
Frequency: Monthly
Bring along any hobby – knitting, journalling, miniature painting – and enjoy working on it alongside others in the beautiful Manchester Craft & Design Centre. It’s informal, social and completely open to all levels.
Workshops at Glasgow Zine Library
Cost: Pay-what-you-can (£0 – £5)
Location: Glasgow
Frequency: Monthly
A grassroots community space best known for zines and storytelling, but also hosting workshops on collage, risograph printing, creative writing and even occasional cooking or climate crafts. Everything’s designed to be accessible, welcoming and beginner-friendly.
Culture Club at Left Bank Leeds
Cost: Free (pay-what-you-can for food)
Location: Left Bank, Cardigan Rd, Leeds
Frequency: Weekly (Wednesdays)
Every Wednesday night, Left Bank turns into a playful, grown-up version of a youth club. There are crafts, dancing, games and live music, with food served from 6pm (free to book, donations welcome). It’s a great way to relax, try something new and meet people – you can join in as much or as little as you like. Left Bank also regularly host other workshops, from candle making to plant pot decorating, that are worth checking out.
