Enjoy a cornucopia of varied workshops and special events across the city as London Craft Week comes to town.
The festival celebrates the best of London's makers, from the costumiers behind Game Of Thrones, to the saddlers at the Royal Horse Artillery, to the Patey Hat Factory who make the Brigade of Guards’ bearskins.
Calligraphers, watch-makers, glassblowers, cocktail-shakers... silversmiths, potters, knife-makers and hatters: they're all here and eager to show off their impressive skills during the week-long showcase.
Hot on the heels of the London Design Festival and London Fashion Week, London Craft Week is the new little sister of the gang; another fairly industry-focused event, but one with plenty to inspire Joe Public along the way.
Last year the first-ever LCW featured 70-odd events: in this, their second outing, you can take part in around 120.
We particularly like the sound of the Making of Film tour at Angels' Costumes; the craft of Wallpaper at the Geffyre Museum; bike-making at the Design Museum; and the chance to see Chinese calligraphy created live by Professor Wang Dongling (great name) in the Great Court of the British Museum.
Other top London institutions taking part include the Royal Opera House and the Tower of London (explore behind the scenes in The Making Behind Buildings); Savile Row (learn How To Buy Bespoke); the V&A, William Morris Gallery, Sir John Soane’s Museum and the Science Museum.
You can hear Patrick Grant from the Great British Sewing Bee give a talk about tweed; sample a London Craft Week cocktail, mixed in Asprey's finest heritage barware; and try your hand at bookbinding at the St Bride Foundation.
We warned you London Craft Week was varied!
London Craft Week runs from 3 to 7 May. Visit www.londoncraftweek.com to find out more.
