21 best masterclasses to try in London

From cocktail-making to arts and crafts, hone your skills and learn from the very best with a themed masterclass in London.
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Whether you want to upgrade your kitchen skills, learn how to make fancy tipples or tap into your creative side with a pottery class or a painting lesson, treat yourself or your loved ones to one of these exciting London masterclasses.

They make for the perfect gift at any time of year!

Best cocktail masterclasses in London

a person pouring a cocktail through a strainer into a glass

  1. Celebrate all things rum on a fun rum masterclass at The Spiced Dry Rum Club: Taste various rums and learn about their history, before taking control of an Alembic pot still to redistill and flavour your own bottle to take home.
  2. Enjoy an immersive cocktail masterclass at Rubens at the Palace: Master mixology and create unique recipes in the setting of the New York Bar, with its unmistakable red décor. Enjoy a chilled glass of champagne with a selection of gourmet canapés and leave with a great deal of knowledge and a taste for cocktails of all kinds.
  3. Create gin cocktails from scratch and become a gin expert with a gin cocktail masterclass at The Athenaeum: Learn about the history of gin cocktails, create three of your own and indulge in exquisite canapés.

Best gin masterclasses in London

a person stirring a cocktail in a Sipsmith gin glass

  1. Enjoy a Japanese gin masterclass at Map Maison: Take part in a fun gin masterclass with a signature cocktail on arrival and tuck into tasty small tapas plates. Learn the history of gin from an expert mixologist, before sampling three different Japanese gins and creating your own refreshing cocktail!
  2. Join an exciting gin cocktail masterclass at SipsmithLearn about the history of gin and engage in the creation of three classic cocktails using Sipsmith's award-winning spirits. Take home a Sipsmith goodie bag and bring the experience to your own kitchen.

Best cooking masterclasses in London

Prawn dumplings in a wooden basket with dipping sauces in the background.

  1. Treat yourself to a dim sum-making masterclass at Ann’s Smart School of Cookery: Cook a range of mouthwatering dim sum, including chicken and prawn dumplings, vegetarian gyoza and beef tataki with wasabi mash, during this two-hour London cooking masterclass.
  2. Venture to London's biggest Italian food destination Eataly for a chef-led cooking class: Learn how to create delicious traditional Italian recipes with one of Eataly's talented chefs, enjoying a glass of Italian wine while you work.

Best pasta masterclasses in London

close up of small ravioli pasta on a flour workbench, with a Pasta Evangelists bag in the background and a glass of bubbly

  1. Learn how to create the perfect pasta at a pasta masterclass at the Jamie Oliver Cookery SchoolMaster the art of pasta at The Jamie Oliver Cookery School with a fun, hands-on pasta making experience. Enjoy a welcome drink, learn to perfect pasta dough and sauces, and create various pasta shapes.
  2. Enjoy a private pasta making class at the Pasta Evangelists Pasta AcademyExperience a private two-hour gourmet pasta-making adventure with an expert chef. Savour antipasti, sip on bottomless prosecco and create fresh pasta from scratch using traditional techniques.
  3. Learn how to cook traditional Italian cuisine at a pasta masterclass at Ann's Smart School of CookeryLearn new culinary skills with expert chefs at Ann’s Smart School of Cookery. Experience a two-hour Italian cooking masterclass and learn how to make focaccia, spinach and ricotta cannelloni, and asparagus risotto; all whilst sipping on bottomless prosecco!

Best sushi masterclasses in London

rolled sushi displayed in the shape of a dragon, presented on a black plate

  1. Take part in an interactive sushi and sake masterclass at InamoDiscover the art of sushi and sake at Inamo. Enjoy a hands-on sushi making experience with expert chefs and enjoy a guided tasting of premium sakes tasting. 
  2. Learn how to make sushi rolls and nigiri on a sushi masterclass at The Prince AkatokiImmerse yourself in elegant Japanese culture with a sushi masterclass led by expert chefs. Create an array of sushi rolls, nigiri and handrolls and tuck into your creations with a warming miso soup and a glass of sparkling sake.

Best baking masterclasses in London

Chocolate fondue, strawberries, nuts, seeds, almonds and candles laid out on a wooden table.

  1. Learn how to make delicious macaroons with a macaroon masterclass at Ann’s Smart School of Cookery: Don an apron and use local ingredients to craft these mouthwatering French delicacies in various classic flavours.
  2. Bake incredible gluten-free cakes on a gluten-free baking class at Cookery School: From sponge cake filled with lemon curd and cream to hazelnut and carrot cake topped with chocolate ganache, become a gluten-free star baker and take home those precious recipes.
  3. Sculpt your own chocolate creations during a fantastic truffle-making workshop in Brixton: Learn a range of techniques, from preparing truffle fillings and tempering chocolate, to shaping and dipping truffles in a range of colours. Then take home and savour everything you’ve made!

Best arts and crafts masterclasses in London

Woman painting on a canvas using blue, white and yellow paint, with paintings in the background.

  1. Make the most of a BYOB pottery experience with a studio tour and painting session at Token Studio: Discover the wonderful world of pottery-making. Find out how ceramics are made in a kiln, learn a range of hand-building techniques and get creative during a fun painting session.
  2. Relax and reconnect with your creativity with a painting lesson at Georgie Mason Art: Receive guidance and get back in touch with your artistic side by using a variety of paints, dry materials and textiles to create your own paintings.
  3. Feeling adventurous? Book a life-drawing experience at Neon Naked Life Drawing: Enjoy a 90-minute life-drawing class with a unique take on the popular art form – reactive body paints combined with industrial UV light to neon-tastic effect!

Best activity and adventure masterclasses in London

A woman and a man are kayaking along the river at Lee Valley Water Centre

  1. More into Latin dance moves? Meet and learn from an expert dance teacher during an intensive salsa dancing workshop: Enjoy a full-day course to learn the art of salsa from none other than the founder of the Salsa Rapido technique, Alastair Sadler.
  2. Become a pro archer with an archery masterclass at Target Sports World: Get to grips with the basic principles of archery, learn how to use a compound bow and fire arrows like a pro with help from an expert instructor.
  3. Follow in the footsteps of Olympians by visiting the venue where the kayaking events were held during London 2012. Join a kayaking session for two at the Lee Valley White Water Centre: After a session with an expert on how to navigate the rapids, you'll be ready to hop on your hotdog kayak and ride the rapids, taking on daring drops and winding turns.

For more unique things to do, discover popular immersive experiences in London.

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