Booklover’s Bath
20 - 23 January 2027
A book artist’s tour of Bath.
Explore this elegant British literary city through a book lover’s eyes, stepping into a world of paper and ink.
Focus on noting your observations down in a journal you’ve made, guided by the unique perspective of The Travelling Bookbinder.
Learn to write in charming copperplate with an exuberant calligrapher.
Sew books together with linen thread.
Visit emporium of the bound word; bookshops, a stationers and a bindery.
Take away a Commonplace Book of your experience.
Booklover’s Bath January 2027 promises a good start to the year!
An intimate group. Maximum six places.
£795.00
Sold Out
Wednesday
Welcome
Meet Rachel outside Persephone Books at 6pm, for pre-dinner drinks and introductions, for an hour. We’ll get acquainted, discuss schedules, supplies and possibilities.
Thursday
Bookbinding
Once we’re settled into our workshop studio, via a swoon in Persephone Books downstairs, paper folding will begin.
Through the meditative process of dividing a sheet into sections, marking, pricking and sewing, you’ll bind a practice structure this morning.
An afternoon visit to George Bayntun’s, a world famous bindery, founded in 1829, for a behind-the-scenes tour. The bookshop has extensive displays of superb bindings, and there’s a large selection of second-hand books to peruse.
Rounding off our first full day at Mr.B’s, with their passionate staff, for some (more) perusing and maybe buying.
Friday
Writing
An earlier start, meeting outside Persephone Books for a stroll to another beautiful studio for a bespoke calligraphy workshop.
Learn how to use a dip pen with a flexible nib, make basic strokes, and form letters in a distinctive copperplate style.
Everything that you need will be provided. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have the skills to begin writing confidently in beautiful script lettering.
An afternoon addressing pen to paper, with line drawings and text, flamboyant or neat, according to your character.
We’ll introduce the idea of a Commonplace Book as a way to record and digest information. The City of Bath; our particular interests; sensations; quotes; tickets; notes – everything is a rich resource.
Saturday
Completing
A prompt ten o’clock start to concentrate on arranging, embellishing and editing, punctuated only by elevenses and lunch out at a nearby cafe.
Bind pages together with a rhythm of stitching and conversation.
Celebratory tea party for sharing creations and future plans.
Please Note
We’ll meet at 6pm for an hour on Wednesday.
On Thursday and Saturday we’ll start at 10am and finish around 5pm. On Friday, an earlier meeting time, tbc, allows us to walk to our calligraphy class.
All materials are provided. Please bring scissors, an A3 cutting mat, a 30cm (12 inch) metal ruler, a glue stick and a scalpel.
Please come prepared to walk, and let us know if that is problematic. The workshop is based up a flight of stairs, in a first floor room.
Tea, coffee and motivating morsels are included, but lunch is not. We’ll eat together at a nearby cafe on Thursday and Saturday – budget around £20, and a more swanky spot on Friday (around £25 depending on your choices.)
Thank you for advising about your dietary requirements regarding buns and biscuits.
Find information about where to stay here, and check out the swish Queensberry Hotel which is a short walk from our workshop base.
This course can be purchased as a gift. Please let us know the recipient’s details in the ‘additional information’ box at check out.
Please read the terms and conditions before booking and e-mail hello@thetravellingbookbinder.com with any queries.
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