EXPLORE OUR VIBRANT ART & CRAFT SCENE

If you love arts and crafts then Horncastle has lots of interesting boutique shops and courses to inspire you. You can find all the high-quality raw materials and accessories that you need for your hobby, gain new skills at creative, friendly workshops and browse for unique, locally produced arts and crafts pieces.

Follow our walking trail which starts in the Market Place to see what Horncastle has to offer…

Sewists should make a bee-line for All Sewn Up by Debs at 8 Market Place, just head down the little alleyway under the historic ‘Horncastle Farmer’s Club’ sign on the same side as the Post Office. Here you will find a fabulous range of fabrics, haberdashery, trim, buttons & more. Debs runs regular workshops at The Studio, these are always centred around interesting themes and offered in a range of crafting mediums.

If furniture upcycling is your thing, then right next door is The Old Stables Studio which has French Chic paints and all the tools you will need to complete your projects. The studio also displays a wide range of interesting and beautiful work from Lincolnshire artists, perfect for gift ideas or just for yourself. Open by appointment.

Turn right as you leave the alley, and then cross the road at the zebra crossing. You will see that felting has arrived with a bang in Horncastle with the recent opening of Claire’s Craft Creates in June 2021. There’s lots of kits available with all the materials to get you started. Why not pop along to one of their friendly classes or Crafternoon Teas to meet fellow crafters and swap techniques and ideas? Classes are offered in felting as well as a range of other craft disciplines including sewing, fabric painting, decoupage, jewellery making and leather craft.

Now, head back towards the Market Place on this side of the road. Just after the second crossing you will find Purl A Row, an absolute delight for knitters. The shop mainly sells hand dyed yarns and British independent wool supplies from small farms. They stock great patterns and accessories from the basics, such as needles, to practical and stylish bags to keep your materials clean and tidy.

Cross the road and head round the corner into North Street to find Mortimer’s Art Gallery which exhibits and sells a wide range of professional art and merchandise created by local artists. If you are tempted to have a go yourself then they also offer one to one tuition in the gallery, your home or in a venue of your choice. Private group tuition is also available and can be a lovely way to connect with friends, family or colleagues.

While you are here, pop your head into Rosedale House Floral Designs, their beautiful bouquets and accessories would add the finishing touch to any home.

Slightly further up the road is Horncastle Hobby House, a traditional craft shop offering everything for knitting, crochet, cross stitch, crystal art, Decopatch and general crafting. They have lots of lovely yarns, kits and haberdashery. There’s also everything for the cake decorator and classes are offered to learn or improve your skills. Cakes are made for all celebrations; letterbox biscuits are a speciality.

Cross the road and head back to just opposite Mortimer’s Art Gallery to see the work of a local contemporary jeweller and silversmith at North Street Jewellers. They carry their own unique jewellery range created in house as well as taking commissions for their bespoke designing and making service. You will also be able to browse fine examples of antique jewellery and silverware.

Just a little further on is No 6 which describes itself as ‘A Haven of Loveliness’. Pay a visit to this emporium of all things vintage with fantastic fabrics for both the home and dressmaking as well as beautiful accessories. This is also the home of Miss C Millinery who offer a bespoke hat design and making service.

The final two stops of the walking tour are neighbours in Horsefair Walk, in the little alley next to Myers Café & Tea Room on the opposite side of the road.

Kennedy’s is the perfect stop for lovers of dried and artificial flowers, plants, flower arranging accessories and related gifts. They also have a Retro Room displaying new and preloved clothing, gifts and accessories with a 40’s, 50’s and 60’s feel. Kim also does fantastic wedding flowers and bouquets for all occasions.

Just next door is The Cat’s Whiskers offering sewing classes and also talks on the History of Fashion. The shop is full of vintage finds for sale or hire and stocks some lovely quirky items. You can also have a chat about sewing services including alterations and commissions.

If you have a car then budding artists can also get to grips with a paint brush at Ash Buckingham’s High Meadow Studio which is located outside the town on the A153 to Lincoln. Learn about working in watercolour, pastel, acrylic, ink or charcoal. The studio offers a range of classes, workshops and demonstrations. The latter can be booked for a group and over two hours Ash will take you from the drawing stage ending up with a completed painting. By appointment.

There really is so much to inspire you to get involved either working on your own creations at home or with fellow artists and crafters. All of Horncastle’s art & craft businesses are run by independent owners with a real passion for their work. It’s worth ringing ahead if there is something you especially want to see because opening times do vary. You can follow the links to their websites to book on any courses that are coming up too.