Helen Shakespeare holding a finished Christmas rag wreath

Friday 4 December · Upstairs at Tea Time, Thirsk

Christmas wreath making, with afternoon tea after

A morning with local maker Helen Shakespeare, tying strips of reused fabric into a rag wreath for your door. Then, if you like, afternoon tea downstairs.

  • 10am to 12pm
  • 20 a place, everything included
  • 12 places
Book a place

Wreath and afternoon tea: 44.9 a person

Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2025 and 2026 · 87 Market Place, Thirsk

How the morning goes

From a bare frame to a full wreath in two hours

  1. The wooden table and green chairs in the upstairs back room at Tea Time, where the workshop is held

    Step 1

    Arrive at 10am

    Upstairs at 87 Market Place. A cuppa, and a close look at Helen's finished wreath.

  2. Close detail of reused fabric strips tied around Helen's Christmas wreath

    Step 2

    Tie the strips

    Helen shows you how to knot strips of reused fabric onto the frame. The frame, fabric and tools are all here.

  3. Helen Shakespeare holding a finished rag wreath of red, green and white fabric

    Step 3

    Build up the colour

    Red beside green, a print you wouldn't have picked. By noon your wreath is full and ready for the door.

  4. A three-tier afternoon tea stand of finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and homemade cakes

    Step 4

    Afternoon tea, from 12:15pm

    Optional. Downstairs in the cafe, 24.9 a head, paid on the day.

Who comes

A Christmas morning out, for two or a few

The upstairs back room at Tea Time, wooden table and green chairs against a whitewashed brick chimney breast

Friends

A Friday morning round one table, then cake. Book up to six places together.

Book a place →

The Tea Time cake cabinet stacked with homemade bakes, a flat white in front

Mums and daughters

Make two wreaths side by side and stay downstairs for afternoon tea after.

Book a place →

The Tea Time Cafe window on Thirsk market square with teal chairs and the open door

Couples

Something to make together, then the shops round the square or the Herriot museum.

Book a place →

Afternoon tea at Tea Time: a three-tier stand of finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and homemade cakes

Then downstairs

Make a day of it with afternoon tea

Finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and homemade cakes on a three-tier stand, at a table kept for you from 12:15pm. 24.9 a head, paid on the day. Tick the box when you book two or more places.

Wreath morning and afternoon tea together: 44.9 a person.

Book a place

Book your places

Afternoon tea after the workshop

Next you pay on Stripe's secure page, where your card details stay with Stripe. Your places are held while you pay. Privacy.

Cancellation and refunds

Cancel by 10am on Tuesday 1 December (at least 72 hours before the workshop) for a full refund. After that, we refund you if we can fill your place. If we cancel the workshop, you get a full refund. To cancel, ring 01845 523869 as soon as you know.

After the workshop

Make a Christmas day out of Thirsk

The World of James Herriot on Kirkgate, Thirsk

The World of James Herriot

A short walk away. Open Fridays in winter, 10am to 4pm, last entry 3pm.

The Golden Fleece on Market Place, one of the stops on the blue plaque walk

The blue plaque walk

Twenty plaques in walking order from our door. Outdoors, free, any daylight hour.

The Oxfam shop window on Thirsk Market Place dressed with homewares and books

The charity shop trail

Eight shops within a minute or two of the square. Good for more fabric, too.

Reused fabric strips knotted close together on Helen's wreath

Questions

Before you book

Do I need to bring anything?
Just yourself. The wreath frame, reused fabric, tools and refreshments are all included in the 20 price.
Is it for beginners?
Yes. Helen shows you how to tie the strips onto the frame, and you build up the colours at your own pace.
Can I add afternoon tea?
Yes, when you book two or more places. Tick the box on the form and choose a time from 12:15pm. Afternoon tea is 24.9 a head, paid in the cafe on the day, and served to a minimum of two.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. Book one place. For afternoon tea on your own, ring 01845 523869 and we'll sort it out.
Where is it, and is it upstairs?
In the upstairs back room at Tea Time Cafe, 87 Market Place, Thirsk YO7 1ET. If you'd like to talk through access before booking, ring 01845 523869.
Where can I park?
On a Friday the Market Place outside our door is used for parking. The market itself is on Mondays and Saturdays.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel by 10am on Tuesday 1 December (at least 72 hours before the workshop) for a full refund. After that, we refund you if we can fill your place. If we cancel the workshop, you get a full refund. To cancel, ring 01845 523869 as soon as you know.
How do I book?
Choose your places on this page and pay on Stripe's secure page. Your confirmation comes by email straight away.

Planning a gathering of your own? See the room upstairs.

Fri 4 Dec · wreath making

12 places
Book a place