Candle Making Workshop and Bubbly in UK

Make something that glows. This two-hour Brighton candle workshop gives you more than a souvenir: you learn how wax, oils, wicks, and colour work together, then make candles to take home. I like the use of 100% pure Eco-Soy wax and the chance to try several candle styles, including floating, container, and beeswax candles. I also like the small-group setting, capped at 15 people, which should leave room for help and creative experiments.

The workshop takes place at Charlie Doodle on Wilbury Road in Hove, in a cabin in Charlie’s back garden. That gives the session a relaxed, personal feel rather than a factory-class atmosphere. The main consideration is timing: the listed start is 2:00 pm, and one booking had a timing mix-up that caused concern before Charlie kindly arranged an earlier session. Confirm your start time carefully, especially for a birthday or hen party.

Key points at a glance

• Three candle styles to make: You take home floating, container, and beeswax candles rather than one basic finished item.
• 100% pure Eco-Soy wax: You learn why different waxes behave differently and work with a plant-based wax used in the workshop.
• Fragrance and colour choices: Essential oils, fragrance oils, and colour dyes let you create candles with a personal look and scent.
• A small Brighton setting: The workshop happens in a cabin at Charlie Doodle’s back garden on Wilbury Road in Hove.
• Bubbly for adults: Alcoholic drinks are available only to people aged 18 and over, making this worth noting for mixed-age groups.
• Flexible group option: Private sessions can be arranged at another time, date, or location, and group discounts are offered.

What the Brighton candle workshop is really about

This is a hands-on craft session, not a quick demonstration. You learn the basic parts of a candle, then use that information to make your own pieces. The lesson covers different types of wax, oils, wicks, and candle-making methods, so you get a useful introduction before choosing how you want your candles to look and smell.

I like this format because it gives the activity a purpose beyond filling two hours. You are not simply pouring wax into a mould and waiting for it to set. You are learning why materials matter, which is useful if you later buy a candle-making kit or continue experimenting at home.

The experience is designed to be fun and friendly. It suits people who enjoy making things with their hands, but you do not need to arrive with craft skills. One participant described it as a beginner course that still taught plenty, which is a good sign for anyone who wants a gentle introduction rather than a serious technical class.

Arriving at Charlie Doodle in Hove

The meeting point is Charlie Doodle, 14a Wilbury Road, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3JN. The activity begins and ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate return journey or find your way to another venue at the end.

The workshop is near public transportation, making it easier to reach without a car. Your mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. The listed start time is 2:00 pm, with a total duration of about two hours.

The setting is part of the appeal. Rather than a large commercial studio, the workshop uses a cabin in Charlie’s back garden. That sounds informal and calm, and one birthday group found the space relaxing and helpful for creative work. If you prefer polished galleries or large design studios, this may feel simple. If you enjoy a personal setting, it should be a good fit.

A practical tip: check the date and start time again before you go. One group arrived early after the booking time had been recorded incorrectly. Charlie was able to run a 10:00 am session because there was space, but you should not rely on that kind of last-minute solution, especially if the workshop is part of a planned celebration.

Learning about wax, oils, and wicks

The class begins with the building blocks of a candle. You learn about different waxes, the role of oils and fragrances, the use of colour dyes, and the purpose of wicks. This matters because each choice affects the finished candle, from how it burns to how it looks and smells.

The workshop uses 100% pure Eco-Soy wax. You can expect to work with that wax while also learning about other types, including beeswax. The contrast gives you a better sense of why candle makers use different materials for different results.

Fragrance is one of the most enjoyable parts of the session, but it is also where a little guidance helps. Essential oils and fragrance oils can produce different effects, and the class gives you a chance to learn how they fit into candle making. You can also add colour dyes, so your candles do not all look alike.

The value here is practical. You leave with a basic understanding of the materials instead of only a decorative object. If you later purchase a kit or follow an online lesson, the terms and methods will already be familiar.

Making floating, container, and beeswax candles

The workshop includes three kinds of candles: floating candles, container candles, and beeswax candles. That variety makes the session feel generous for a two-hour activity.

Floating candles are usually small and decorative, while container candles give you a more familiar candle format. Beeswax adds another material to the mix and helps show how candle making can vary in texture and appearance. The exact shapes and designs can depend on the resources available on the day, but you can expect a selection rather than a single standard project.

The session offers a good balance between instruction and personal choice. You can work with fragrance, colour, and decoration, then make decisions about the final appearance of your candles. One birthday group found there was plenty of choice in the resources and described the workshop as well structured. That combination is important: too much freedom can leave beginners unsure, while too much instruction can make the activity feel like an assembly line.

You should also allow for the fact that candle making has a practical pace. Wax needs to be handled carefully, and some stages may require waiting or guidance. The reward is that you leave with several creations that you made yourself, not a shop-bought product with a Brighton label.

Why the small group size matters

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not an intimate private lesson, but it is still small enough to support a social workshop atmosphere. You can share the activity with friends while keeping the session more manageable than a large class.

This setup works especially well for a birthday, hen party, baby shower, or casual group gathering. Candle making gives everyone something to do, so conversation has a natural focus. You can compare fragrance choices, colours, and candle designs without needing a packed schedule of entertainment.

The private-session option adds useful flexibility. Charlie Doodle can arrange group lessons at another time, date, or location, and group discounts are offered. That may be worthwhile if your party cannot make the regular 2:00 pm slot.

There are also other craft workshops available through the same provider, including nipple tassels, flower crowns, personalised map cufflinks, necklaces, key-rings, and pineapple pimping. Those options may suit a larger event with a particular theme, though the candle workshop is the calmer and more widely suitable choice.

Bubbly and age limits

The experience includes bubbly as part of the social tone, but alcohol is allowed only for people aged 18 and over. That makes the age rule important for birthday parties and family groups.

A 13th birthday group successfully attended the candle workshop, so younger participants can take part in the craft activity. The alcoholic element simply does not apply to anyone under 18. For a mixed-age group, you should make sure everyone knows this before booking.

The bubbly adds a celebratory touch, but it is not the reason to choose the workshop. The candle making is the main event. If your group wants a drinks-focused afternoon, this may feel too craft-led. If you want a creative activity with a small celebratory extra, it fits better.

The take-home value at $66.83

The price is $66.83 per person. That is not bargain-basement pricing for a two-hour activity, but the value depends on what you want from the afternoon.

You are paying for instruction, materials, use of the workshop space, a selection of finished candles, and the social setting. The fact that you make floating, container, and beeswax candles gives the session more substance than a single-candle class. You also leave with skills that can be used again through candle-making kits or online lessons.

I would see this as good value for a small celebration or a creative afternoon with friends. It is less compelling if you only want the cheapest possible souvenir. The take-home items are part of the value, but the real benefit is learning how the process works and having someone guide your choices.

Group discounts may improve the price for larger parties. Private lessons can also be arranged, so it is worth asking about the rate if you are booking for a hen party, baby shower, or birthday group.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this workshop to:

• Friends who want a hands-on activity in Brighton
• Adults looking for a relaxed afternoon with bubbly
• Families with older children and teenagers
• Birthday groups wanting something more creative than a meal
• Hen parties that prefer making something over a loud nightlife activity
• Beginners curious about fragrance, wax, and candle design

It also suits people who like taking home something personal. Your candles will reflect the colours, scents, and styles you choose during the session.

I would be more cautious if you dislike craft activities, have very limited time, or expect a formal professional studio. The cabin setting is part of the charm, but it is informal. You should also keep the two-hour duration in mind. It is long enough for a proper introduction and several projects, but not a full artisan training course.

Accessibility and useful booking details

Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the supplied information does not give detailed step-free access or seating information. If you have specific mobility needs, contact Charlie Doodle before booking so you can confirm the setup.

The ticket is mobile, and booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the 2:00 pm session is not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

The workshop is offered in English. Keep that in mind if someone in your group needs instruction in another language.

The final verdict: book it for the making, not just the bubbly

I would book the Candle Making Workshop and Bubbly if you want a relaxed, social activity with a real result at the end. The strongest features are the range of candles, the use of Eco-Soy wax, the generous choice of fragrance and colour, and the personal cabin setting at Charlie Doodle.

The $66.83 price makes the most sense for a birthday, hen party, baby shower, or small group celebration. For a solo visitor, it is worth booking if you genuinely want to learn candle making and take home several pieces. Confirm the time before your visit, and remember that bubbly is for adults aged 18 and over.

If you want a creative Brighton memory that fits in your luggage and keeps working after the afternoon ends, this is a sound choice.

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 meeting point at Charlie Doodle.

What types of candles can I make?

You can make floating candles, container candles, and beeswax candles.

What wax does the workshop use?

The workshop uses 100% pure Eco-Soy wax and also teaches you about different types of wax.

Are fragrance and colour options included?

Yes. You learn to use essential oils, fragrances, and colour dyes while making your candles.

Can children attend the workshop?

Most people can participate, and a 13-year-old attended a birthday session. Alcoholic beverages are allowed only for people aged 18 and over.

Can I arrange a private workshop?

Yes. Private group lessons can be scheduled at a different time, date, or location. Group discounts are offered.