From Britain with Love

About us...

The Old Kennels is nestled in the rolling countryside of the Blackdown Hills on the Devon Somerset border, and offers a quiet rural retreat, where you can learn or improve skills in a variety of traditional arts and crafts.

We offer courses in a variety of arts and skills tutored by local, national and international artisans: This year we are proud to host some exciting new tutors; Teresa Laliberte (Germany) teaching sculptural glass bead making, Julie Ann Denton returns to teach a class in conjunction with Cliff Wright the ‘Harry Potter’ illustrator which will take your lampworking to new dimensions, as well as Fabric printing with textile artist Dawn Dupree, Perfume making with Alec lawless and so the list goes on!

Course vary year to year but include; Glass (lampwork, sculpting, silver core beads, blowing and cold work – stained glass, acid etching etc), silver smithing, enamelling, precious metal clay, lapidary (natural stone cutting and polishing), plant fibres, wood, willow, cane seating, paper making and marbling, stone and textiles (felting, fabric printing, braiding, embroidery and passementerie), as well as organic gardening, foraging & preserving, chocolate, herbal skincare and perfume making.

A flint barn, originally being part of the Stentwood Estate built by Squire Eccles in the 1890’s, The Old Kennels is now home to our sheep, cats, wild ducks, geese and breeding herd of Alpacas (who are kept solely for their fibre). Woodland, wildlife and unspoilt landscape abound.

Located in the heart of the West country, just 20 minutes from the M5 motorway/ A30 and convenient to the Somerset county town of Taunton famous for its cricket, Honiton – lace town, lined with antiques shops, and the historic cathedral City of Exeter, we are central for exploring the region if you choose to extend your stay.

The Blackdown Hills & East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have much to offer , including excellent dining, antiques and farmers markets, many varied air activities (from flying lessons to small plane hire), motor and water sports, fishing, walking, hedge laying, cycling, an excellent equine cross country course, the Jurassic coastline nearby and, of course, the beautiful Blackdown Hills themselves.

Exclusive Offer:
10% off accommodation at The Old Kennels for 2010 whether taken with a course or at other times – simply quote ‘From Britain With Love' at the time of booking.