Candle Making Workshop and Bubbly in UK

The most appealing part of this Brighton experience is that you do not simply watch a demonstration. You learn how wax, oils, wicks, and colour dyes work, then make three styles of candle to take home. The workshop takes place at Charlie Doodle, with the session held in a cabin in Charlie’s back garden.

I like the hands-on format and the chance to experiment with fragrances and decorations. I also like the calm, social setting, which makes this a good pick for a birthday, hen party, baby shower, or an easy afternoon activity in Hove. The main thing to check is the meeting time, since the published start is 2:00 pm and one booking had a timing error that required Charlie to arrange an alternative morning session.

Key points at a glance

• Make three candle styles: You take home floating, container, and beeswax candles rather than one basic finished item.
• Work with Eco-Soy wax: The session uses 100% pure Eco-Soy wax and explains how it differs from other waxes.
• Choose your own scent and colour: Essential oils, fragrances, and colour dyes let you create something personal.
• Small-group setting: A maximum of 15 people keeps the workshop more manageable than a large craft class.
• A relaxed Hove location: The cabin in Charlie’s back garden gives the class an informal, home-based feel.
• Useful for celebrations: Private lessons, group discounts, and other craft workshops are available through Charlie Doodle.

Making candles instead of buying another souvenir

Brighton is full of shops selling attractive gifts, but this workshop gives you something better suited to a creative afternoon: a souvenir you make yourself. Over roughly two hours, you learn the basics of candle-making and leave with several finished pieces.

The session is built for beginners. You do not need prior craft experience, and the teaching covers the parts that often seem mysterious when you buy candle-making supplies yourself: which wax to use, how oils affect the result, how to position a wick, and how colour changes the finished candle.

That practical base is a real part of the value. You are not only filling a container with wax. You are learning enough about materials and methods to keep experimenting after the class. One participant found the beginner format useful even after already expecting a simple introduction, and left keen to make more candles and try new fragrances and decorations.

Arriving at Charlie Doodle in Hove

The meeting point is Charlie Doodle, 14a Wilbury Road, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3JN. The activity starts and ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange transport between several stops.

The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are reaching Hove without a car. Still, I would check your booking details carefully before setting out. The listed start time is 2:00 pm, and the published meeting point matters because this is not a city-centre walking tour with several obvious landmarks to guide you.

The workshop has a maximum of 15 people. That is large enough for a lively group occasion but small enough to feel more personal than a packed class. If you are booking for a birthday or hen party, ask about group discounts and private sessions before paying.

A relaxed cabin for a creative class

The workshop takes place in a cabin in Charlie’s back garden. That detail shapes the whole experience. You are not in a formal schoolroom or a busy shop. The setting is more casual and private, which suits a craft class where you want time to make choices and talk with the people around you.

I like this kind of venue for a hands-on activity. A relaxed room gives you space to focus on the scent and appearance of your candles instead of rushing from one stage to the next. It also works well for a celebration, where the social side matters as much as the finished craft.

There is a small trade-off. A garden cabin is part of the charm, but it may feel less polished than a purpose-built studio. If you want a sleek design school or a formal technical course, this may not be your style. If you want something friendly and informal, the setting should fit.

Learning about wax, fragrance, and wicks

The teaching covers the main ingredients and tools used in candle-making. You learn about different types of wax, oils, wicks, and the methods used to make attractive candles.

The use of 100% pure Eco-Soy wax is especially relevant for beginners. You get to work with one clear material while learning why wax choice matters. The class also introduces essential oils and other fragrances, allowing you to compare scent choices and create a candle that feels personal rather than factory-made.

Colour dyes add another layer of choice. You can think about the combination of scent and appearance, then use decoration to give the candle its own character. I would treat the class as a chance to test ideas rather than chase a perfect result. Candle-making has enough variables to make small experiments worthwhile.

The session also includes beeswax candles, so you are not limited to one format or one material. That gives you a broader introduction than a class focused only on pouring wax into a jar.

Three candle styles to make and take home

The finished selection includes floating, container, and beeswax candles. Each style shows a different side of the craft.

Floating candles are a playful way to work with shape and decoration. They are also easy to understand as a first project because the finished piece is not tied to a permanent container.

Container candles let you think about the relationship between the wax, wick, fragrance, and vessel. This is the style many people associate with home candle-making, so the techniques may be useful if you want to continue at home.

Beeswax candles give you a third form to try and help show how candle materials can differ. The supplied information does not specify the exact shape or method used for these candles, so you should expect an introduction rather than a technical beeswax course.

Taking home several types gives the workshop a stronger payoff than leaving with one small item. You can compare how the candles look and use the class as a starting point for future projects.

Why the two-hour length works

Two hours is enough time to cover the basic material choices, make several candles, and enjoy the social side without turning the activity into a full-day commitment. That makes it easy to fit around other plans in Brighton and Hove.

I would not book this expecting advanced candle science. The class is described as a beginner workshop, and its strength is a friendly introduction with plenty of creative choice. If your goal is professional production, detailed troubleshooting, or a long technical course, you may need the online lessons or another format offered by Charlie Doodle.

For most people, the length hits a sensible middle ground. You get more than a quick craft demonstration, but you do not have to spend an entire afternoon concentrating on one project.

Bubbly, age limits, and the social side

The experience includes bubbly in its title, and alcoholic drinks are allowed only for people aged 18 and over. If you are arranging a mixed-age birthday or family event, keep that limit in mind when planning the celebration.

The activity suits groups particularly well. It offers something to do with your hands, but still leaves room for conversation. That balance is useful for hen parties, baby showers, birthdays, and other gatherings where some people may be keen crafters while others are simply looking for a pleasant shared activity.

The class can also be arranged as a private group lesson at another time, date, or location, subject to enquiry. Group discounts are offered. These options may improve the value for a larger party, especially if you want the workshop to form the main event rather than a short extra activity.

Charlie Doodle also runs other creative workshops, including nipple tassels, flower crowns, personalised map cufflinks, necklaces, key-rings, and pineapple pimping. Those alternatives matter if you are comparing ideas for a themed party.

The value of the $66.83 price

At $66.83 per person, this is not a cheap drop-in craft session. The price makes more sense when you count the instruction, the materials, the choice of scents and colours, the relaxed two-hour format, and the selection of candles you take home.

You are also paying for an activity rather than only for finished goods. A shop may sell you a candle for less, but it will not teach you about wax, oils, wicks, and candle-making methods. If you enjoy making things or want a social experience with a useful result, the price is easier to justify.

The value is strongest for a group celebration. A private lesson or group discount could make the cost more attractive, although you should ask Charlie Doodle for the exact terms. For a solo visitor who mainly wants a souvenir, the price may feel high compared with buying a ready-made candle in Brighton.

The mobile ticket is handy for booking and admission, and confirmation is sent at the time of booking. I would still save the meeting address and start time where you can find them quickly.

Who will enjoy this workshop most

I would recommend this experience to:

• First-time candle makers who want clear guidance
• Small groups planning a birthday, hen party, or baby shower
• Creative people who enjoy choosing colours, scents, and decorations
• Visitors looking for a hands-on activity in Hove
• Anyone considering candle-making kits or online lessons afterward

It is also suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed. The activity is offered in English.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fragrances, prefer a quiet solo activity, or want a highly advanced course. The session is social and beginner-friendly, not a specialist training class. The maximum group size of 15 is reasonable, but a full group will not feel as private as a one-to-one lesson.

A note on booking times

Check the time and date as soon as you receive confirmation. The standard start time is 2:00 pm, but a timing mistake once caused concern for a parent arranging a 13th birthday. Charlie was able to offer a 10:00 am session because there was capacity, which helped save the celebration.

That is a useful practical lesson: do not assume the time shown in a booking message is correct. Confirm it with the provider before the day, especially when you are coordinating a party, meal, or train journey.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Brighton candle workshop?

Book it if you want a friendly, practical craft session where you make several different candles and take them home. The Eco-Soy wax, fragrance and colour choices, small maximum group size, and informal cabin setting give it more character than a basic pour-and-go class.

I would especially choose it for a celebration or for a beginner who wants enough instruction to continue experimenting. The $66.83 price is fair when you value the materials, teaching, and shared activity, but less appealing if you only want an inexpensive candle or a formal advanced course.

Before booking, confirm the 2:00 pm start, ask about private-group pricing if you are arranging an event, and remember that alcoholic drinks are for ages 18 and over. With those points settled, this is a cheerful way to spend two hours in Hove and return home with something you made yourself.

FAQ

Where does the candle-making workshop take place?

It takes place at Charlie Doodle, 14a Wilbury Road, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3JN, UK.

What time does the workshop start?

The listed start time is 2:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The workshop lasts approximately two hours.

Does the activity finish at the same place where it starts?

Yes. The activity ends back at the Charlie Doodle meeting point.

What type of wax is used?

The workshop uses 100% pure Eco-Soy wax.

What will I learn during the class?

You will learn about different types of wax, oils, wicks, and methods for making candles.

What types of candles will I make?

You will make a selection of floating, container, and beeswax candles to take home.

Is alcohol included for all ages?

Alcoholic beverages are allowed only for people aged 18 and over.

How many people can join the workshop?

The maximum group size is 15 participants.

Can I arrange a private workshop or another date?

Yes. You can enquire about a private group lesson at a different time, date, or location. Group discounts are also offered.