Ever feel like you’re stuck in the same old routine? There are dozens of ways you can shake it up in South London and expand your skill set. We’ve done all the research for you, whether you simply want to improve your cooking skills or fancy trying to learn some exciting circus tricks to impress your friends! If you’re looking for fitness-related classes here, have no fear! We believe these deserve a list of their own. So, here’s our top picks for 22 places to learn a new skill in South London!
Greenwich Pantry
Greenwich Kitchen, Woolwich Road, Charlton, London, SE7 7AJ and Lewisham Kitchen, Elmira Street, London, SE137BN
This independent cookery class based in both Greenwich and Lewisham opens its doors to South Londoners with a passion for all types of foods, from gluten-free to vegan. From learning how to make bread, to delving into the secrets of pie and pasta making, you’ll leave with an array of new cooking skills. Some of their mantras include loving the environment and understanding the importance of protecting it and teaching people to make authentic food they can trace. Come along with your South London Club card and receive 15% off cookery classes!
Greenwich Pantry
Languages 2000
London Bridge and Southwark
Have you booked a holiday, but want to fully immerse yourself in the country’s culture and customs? Learning the language with Languages 2000 can be a great start so you feel more prepared when you visit. Teaching from beginners to advanced level, language specialist Susan has received raving reviews from her students, praising her professionalism and effective teaching methods. Learn French, Italian, Spanish or German (or all 4!) in a unique way, with Susan using methods such as reading newspaper exerts and role-play holiday scenarios. With your South London Club card, you can get £30 off a term of classes!
New Cross SE14 - Giclée Art Print
Forest Hill 90s Style Unisex T-Shirt
London Terrariums
106a New Cross Road, London, SE14 5BA
Filling your home with house plants can be an incredibly easy way to bring the outside world in and with London Terrariums, you’ll learn how to create the perfect green setting to your house. All four members of the team are self-taught gardeners, trained in the design of all that grows. They have dozens of workshops to explore, including the upcoming Boiling Flask Workshop on the 22nd September, where you’ll learn how to create and grow a miniature ecosystem in a, you guessed it, boiling flask!
London Terrariums
The Avenue Cookery School
3 Enterprise Way, Wandsworth, SW18 IFZ
This fun, family-run business is dedicated to carefully curating interesting and engaging classes for its lucky South London students. Now you can’t use lack of time as an excuse anymore to improve your cooking, as this cooking school offers courses from 2-hour evening classes to 2-week Chalet Host Courses! Avenue Cookery School takes you on a tour around the world without even leaving London with their ever-popular International cuisine courses, including hummus making. Don’t forget your South London Club card when you book and get 15% off classes!
The Avenue Cookery School
Sonsoles Print Studio
Unit 11, Print Village, Chadwick Road, London, SE15 4PU
Sonsoles Print Studio specialises in teaching their customers the art of screen printing. Their helpful and friendly staff are happy to guide you through either beginner or intermediate courses, where you can take your creations home. If big crowds aren’t your thing, they also offer Private Group Workshops, with a minimum of 5 people for a more intimate class. Check out their website for upcoming classes!
Alex Marshall Music
28 Ibis Court, SE8 5PY
Alex Marshall is a talented guitarist eager to share his advanced skill with hopeful South London musicians. He teaches individual and group guitar and ukulele lessons, aiming to educate his students not only in how to play tuneful melodies, but the theory behind the strings they strum. Past students have described Alex as a patient and encouraging teacher who guides you no matter your skill level. Flash that South London Club card and be treated to 20% off first 5 lessons!
Alex Marshall Music
I'm Not Perfect But I'm From Bromley Mug
Peckham Library SE15 - Giclée Art Print
The Kiln Rooms
Unit 202, Level 2, Peckham Town Centre Carpark, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST
Want to decorate your home in the most personal way? Head to The Kiln Rooms at their Peckham studio and learn how to make smooth ceramics to fill your home with your own creations. They offer a range of classes from one-off taster sessions to master classes at intermediate and advanced level. To fully immerse yourself, we would recommend starting with the beginners taster sessions that run for 4 weeks at 3 hours per session. By the end of the course you’ll be able to hold up your pot or vase and confidently say it was made with your own two hands.
The Kiln Rooms
Soundheart Music
9 Brockley Rise, Forest Hill, SE23 1JG
This independent music shop teaches all categories of musical instruments, from guitars to piano. Soundheart is run by a professional team of dedicated musicians who want to simply share their love of music. All of their lessons are 1 to 1, so you’ll have your teacher’s complete attention and build a relationship with them, teaching you in a personal way. Need an instrument to start you off? Bring along your South London Club card and get 15% off tanglewood guitars and 5% off accessories and sheet music.
Soundheart Ltd
Bread Ahead
Borough Market, Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9DE
Bread is arguably one of the most versatile foods, so wouldn’t it be awesome if you could make your own? Bread Ahead specialises in just that, teaching its students the complex and intricate art of bread making. Some of their popular workshops include Gluten-Free and British Classes. If you are a planner, you can even book ahead for their delicious Christmas workshops!
Bread Ahead Bakery & School
Sewn In
Harberson Road, Balham, SW12 9TT
Found a tear in your favourite dress? Or need a pair of jeans altering? Sewn In saves you a trip to the tailors by teaching you how to use a sewing machine yourself. Turn creative patterns that have been swirling in your head into a reality and add something new to your wardrobe. Sewn In are also big on community, using their social media to give independent fabric stores some well-deserved attention. Use your South London Club card to get 15% off your first lesson!
Sewn In
London Smoke and Cure
11 Gleneldon Mews, London SW16 2AZ
London Smoke and Cure house encourages South Londoners to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in at their Smoke School in Streatham. They aim to keep the classes practical and fun, creating an intimate atmosphere with small groups so you’ll always be front row to the action. Some of their workshops include Makin’ Bacon and Salami Sessions. They have even added new dates for 2020!
London Smoke and Cure
AirCraft Circus Academy
Hangar Arts Trust, 7A Mellish Industrial Estate, Harrington Way, Woolwich, SE18 5NR
Be launched out of your comfort zone and try your hand at the circus life at ArtCraft! ArtCraft Circus Academy is London’s oldest and leading independent circus training school and they are dedicated to making circus training accessible to everyone. Learn the art of flying trapeze or acrobalance, as they provide classes no matter your level or age. If you’re lucky enough to have a South London Club card, you can get 10% off 6 week adult classes!
AirCraft Circus Academy
London Longsword Academy
Harris City Academy, Maberley Road, Crystal Palace, SE19 2JH
Live out your fantasy movie dreams with London Longsword Academy at Crystal Palace! Feel just like Jon Snow or Aragorn and wield your own longsword, being trained in safe weapon combat. Their Crystal Palace venue holds weekly Thursday evening classes in both longsword and mixed weapons, by trained professionals. They also claim that the skills you learn here can be transferred to most unarmed and armed martial arts, teaching you to maximise your body’s power.
London Longsword Academy
Pastificio Mansi
Unit 10, Tyrrell Trading Estate, Tyrrell Road, Peckham, SE22 9NA
You can always taste the difference between fresh and dried pasta, so have you ever wanted to be able to make fresh pasta every time? Then head down to Pastificio Mansi and learn how to make delicious pasta straight from Italy. Mold your tasty creations into any shape you desire to completely personalise your design. Don’t forget your South London Club card when you visit and receive 10% off!
M. Y. O.
Level 2, Peckham Levels, 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST and 82 Redcross Way, SE1 1HA
M. Y. O., which stands for ‘make your own’, specialises in bringing unique skill classes to South Londoner beginners. From learning how to draw an illustrated map of London to painting ceramics, these creative workshops will get your right-brain ticking. If you aren’t already enticed, then some of their workshops have a BYOW policy where, yes, you can bring your own wine! Head over there this year and feel proud at trying something new.
M. Y. O.
Eos Dance School
Various Venues in South East London
Get your body moving this year and learn a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap and street dance. They offer classes for both children and adults at all capabilities, making sure each session has an encouraging and friendly atmosphere. After all, you can’t learn without making a few mistakes first! Whether you’re looking to find a new hobby or thinking of entering the professional dance world, Eos Dance will be your go to place. With the South London Club card, you can get £10 off your first term of classes and £5 off thereafter!
Eos Dance
Strictly Front Room
89 Palace Road, Bromley, BR1 3JX
If you prefer a more intimate approach to learning dance, then you should check out the fun and unique Strictly Front Room! The name certainly does what it says on the tin, as this mobile service gives ballroom dancing lessons from the comfort of your own living room. Cathi is the mastermind behind this company, an entrepreneur and dance professional. She can prepare you for any dance-filled occasion, whether you want to impress your friends at a party or rehearse that important first dance at your wedding. Use your South London Club card when you book and get 10% off everything!
Strictly Front Room
Slaughterhaus Print Studio
Vincent's Yard, 23 Alphabet Mews, SW9 0FN
This independent artist-led printmaking space opens its doors for customers to soak in its supportive atmosphere and learn the craft! Some of their workshops include Technical Tuesdays to Epic Woodcut, a four day course where you’ll learn how to cut and design your own wood panel. Like what you see? You can purchase a membership here to attend classes at a reduced rate. Bring along your South London Club card and get 10% off all courses and £10 off membership.
SLAUGHTERHAUS Print Studio
Lewisham Art House
140 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6PD
Since 1992, Lewisham Art House has been sharing its providing tuition and classes in all art dimensions, from ceramics to life drawing. Most sessions cater to beginners looking to learn something new, but advanced classes are also available for aspiring artists. Learn botanical illustration, printing without a press or even mosaic! They are also offering a recent graduate a free opportunity to develop their art in the studio, with the deadline for this on the 22nd September!
Lewisham Arthouse
Gin With Sarah
Sarah is a gin lover eager to share her passion with South Londoners with her tasting and mixing classes. In her classes, you’ll not only learn how to make the perfect G&T, but you’ll also learn the history behind this bar staple. You’ll gain a detailed understanding of what flavours go together best and the production process and ingredients involved. From this, you can receive lessons in gin tasting, yes this is actually highly regarded skill! Learn all this and more using your South London Club card to get £5 off tickets.
Gin with Sarah B
London Art Classes
165 Childers Street, SE8 5JR
Pull those dozens of art designs from your head and onto a canvas with London Art Classes. Whether you're a novice or paintbrush veteren, this independent art school aims to celebrate art in all its forms, spreading its passion from its studio in Deptford. Don’t want to make a big commitment? This art school has a handy pay-as-you go service so you can attend as many art classes as you like. All South London Club card members can get 10% off all Saturday Art Classes!
London Art Classes
The Goodlife Centre
49/55 Great Guildford Street, London, SE1 0ES
With their Goodlife Bear mascots in tow, the Goodlife Centre is a community hub to learn an impressive range of skills and get those creative juices flowing. Attend unique workshops you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in South London, including furniture restoration and how to upcycle a lamp! Still not convinced? Well this workshop haven has even been featured in prestigious newspapers like The Guardian and The Sunday Times!
The Goodlife Centre
What is The South London Club?
The South London Club is a local discount card to help support small independent businesses across South London whilst saving all who live, work & play in South London money! With over 850+ local discounts to choose from, you will discover & explore all the best hidden gems in South London. Join over 7,000 of us & celebrate all that's independent & South London!