Arts & Crafts Shops in the UK

Whether you enjoy painting, drawing, sewing, knitting, papercraft, model making or trying a new creative hobby, UK arts and crafts shops offer a wide range of materials and equipment. You can find specialist art supplies, everyday craft materials, project kits and products for children's activities, with many retailers selling their ranges online as well as through physical shops.

Popular Arts & Crafts Shops

Hobbycraft

Offers arts and crafts supplies across areas such as painting, papercraft, sewing, knitting, crochet, craft kits, cake decorating and children's crafts.

The Range

Offers art supplies, craft materials, yarn, papercraft, sewing and haberdashery, craft kits, modelling products and children's arts and crafts.

Ryman

Offers art materials, craft supplies, colouring products, craft kits, papercraft and other creative products for artists, hobbyists, students and children.

The Works

Offers art supplies, craft materials, kits and creative activities for children and adults, including papercraft, knitting, sewing and painting.

Art Supplies and Craft Materials

Arts and crafts cover many different hobbies, so the supplies you need will depend on the type of project you are planning. An artist working with watercolours needs a very different set of materials from someone making greeting cards, knitting a jumper or creating decorations.

Painting: Acrylics, watercolours, oils, brushes, palettes, canvases and painting accessories.
Drawing: Pencils, coloured pencils, pens, pastels, sketchbooks and drawing paper.
Papercraft: Card, paper, scrapbook materials, cutting tools, adhesives, stamps and embellishments.
Sewing and fabric crafts: Fabric, thread, needles, patterns, scissors, sewing tools and accessories.
Knitting and crochet: Yarn, needles, crochet hooks, patterns and related accessories.
Modelling: Modelling clay, tools, paints, kits and materials for making models and decorative projects.
Craft kits: Ready-made projects for activities such as painting, candle making, embroidery, diamond painting and other hobbies.
Kids' crafts: Colouring, painting, modelling, activity sets and simple craft projects for children.

Choosing a Craft Shop

The best retailer depends on the type of project you have in mind. General craft shops can be convenient when you need several different materials, while specialist art retailers may be more useful when you are looking for particular brands, professional materials or specialist equipment.

For a new hobby, a starter kit can be a convenient way to try an activity without buying every item separately. More experienced crafters may prefer to buy individual materials so they can choose the exact paper, yarn, paint, tools or other supplies they need.

Starting a New Creative Hobby

You do not need a large collection of supplies to get started. Choose a project that matches your interests and begin with the basic materials it requires.

For example, someone trying watercolour painting could begin with a small paint set, brushes and suitable paper. Someone learning to crochet might need yarn, a crochet hook and a beginner-friendly pattern. Starting with a simple project can also help you decide which tools and materials are worth buying as your skills develop.

Buying Art Supplies Online

Online craft shops can make it easier to compare materials, sizes, colours, brands and prices before buying. They are particularly useful when you need a specific type of paper, paint, yarn or other supply that may not be available in nearby shops.

Read the product description carefully and check dimensions, pack sizes and quantities. A photograph of a large pack or set can make it appear more substantial than it actually is, so the written specifications are important when comparing products.

For specialist art materials, check the product information for details such as paint type, paper weight, brush size, yarn composition or other specifications relevant to your project.

Buying Craft Kits

Craft kits can be a good option when you want everything needed for a particular project in one package. They can also make useful gifts or provide an easier starting point when you are unfamiliar with a particular hobby.

Before buying a kit, check the recommended age, skill level, finished size and what is included. Some kits contain all the required materials, while others may require additional tools or equipment.

Crafting on a Budget

It is easy for the cost of a hobby to increase when you start collecting specialist tools and materials. Setting a budget for each project can help keep your spending under control.

Compare pack sizes: Check how much material is included rather than comparing the price alone.
Use what you already have: Some projects can make use of basic household items alongside specialist supplies.
Start small: Try a smaller project before buying a large quantity of materials.
Compare retailers: Check the same brand or product at more than one shop when practical.
Look at starter kits: A kit can sometimes be more convenient than buying each component separately.

Things to Check Before Ordering

Product size: Check dimensions, weight and quantity before comparing prices.
Material: Check what the product is made from and whether it is suitable for your project.
Colour: Colours can look different on screen, particularly with paints, yarns, fabrics and papers.
Compatibility: Make sure specialist tools, refills, accessories or consumables will work with equipment you already own.
Delivery: Check delivery charges and estimated arrival times, particularly when ordering supplies for a project with a deadline.
Returns: Read the retailer's return arrangements before ordering, especially for personalised, cut-to-size or other products that may have specific conditions.

Arts & Crafts Shopping in the UK

UK arts and crafts shops cater to everyone from beginners looking for a simple project to experienced artists and crafters searching for particular materials or specialist tools. Shopping online can be especially useful for comparing ranges and finding supplies that are not available in every local shop.

Before starting a project, make a list of the materials you actually need and check the quantities carefully. Comparing complete project costs can be more useful than looking at the price of individual items, particularly when several different supplies are required.

The retailers listed above provide a starting point for finding arts and crafts shops in the UK. Visit the relevant retailer's website to check current products, prices, stock and delivery options.

Disclaimer: All trademarks, logos, company names and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Store information, product availability, prices, promotions, delivery options, product specifications and retailer policies may change without notice. Please visit the relevant retailer's official website for the most current information before making a purchase.