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London classes and courses to make your 2020 productive

At the start of every year, you resolve to relax more, to make new friends, to learn a new skill and start working out. But New Year’s Resolutions are made to broken – that’s what you tell yourself when spring rolls around and you realise your commitment to self-improvement has withered and died.

Looking to break the cycle this year? There’s one easy way to do it: take a new class. When you’re part of a crowd and encouraged by a teacher, you’re far more likely to keep up with your new hobby. London’s full of quirky, quality opportunities to learn something new; here’s a list of the classes we’ll be trying out in 2020.

Be a little greener: Upcycling class at The Old School Club

Furniture restoration for amateurs, upcycling is going to be all the rage in 2020, so it’s a good time to try the fun little sister of recycling. With this wonderful class at The Old School Club you can get creative, save money, try a new hobby, refresh your interiors and up your green credentials all in one go.

Prices for 2020 courses TBC

WHERE

Battersea

Appreciate nature more: London Terrariums’ Workshop

Life in London can be exhaustingly urban; if you need some green in your day-to-day, why not learn how to make your own terrarium? Terra-what? you say. These cute, hipster decorations have been growing in popularity in recent years – they’re aquariums for plants, for people who want a pet but don't yet have the space and time.

from £48

WHERE

Peckham

Get fit: Bungee Dance Masterclass at Upswing

Who says you need a dance floor to boogie? Give every limb free reign by learning how to dance in mid-air at Upswing. This Circus Skills group will turn your idea of an exercise class upside-down – quite literally: one of the classes involves running up walls and doing backflips while attached to a bungee cord.

Prices for 2020 classes TBC

WHERE

Shoreditch

Stop getting takeout: Migrateful’s Cookery Courses

If your Deliveroo habit is out of hand and your inner chef is in serious need of inspiration, Migrateful’s cookery classes are for you. They’re run by migrants, who develop their language skills and sense of belonging by sharing their favourite recipes. On the menu for January are, among others, a vegan Ethiopian cookery class, a Cuban cookery class and a vegetarian Syrian cookery class – so even if you’re an experienced cook, you can add to your repertoire. Participants are encouraged to ‘BYOT’ (Bring Your Own Tuppaware), in order to take home all the yummy leftovers.

£38 for one course

WHERE

Various locations, including Borough, Angel and Peckham

See a different side of London: Thames Explorer’s Mudlarking expeditions

Go back in time to the Dickensian days when fishing things out the Thames made some people a living. Mudlarking is beachcombing on the banks of the Thames and provides a fascinating insight into the lowest level of the city you thought you knew so well. You’ll be surprised at what you find in the mud, but remember: for conservation reasons, you’re not allowed to take home your findings (though you’re guaranteed to get plenty of good Instagram fodder out of the excursion.)

£20 for adults/£10 for kids

WHERE

Meet at Mansion House Tube

Save money: Make your own dress at the University of the Arts London

Taking one of the courses at the University of the Arts London is a fabulously rewarding way to get a creativity fix – not least because you’ll go home with some sustainable souvenirs. If you love the idea of stitching yourself a dress – one that actually fits – try the dress-making course; if you’re more interested in sustainable fashion or illustration, UAL will provide.

£680 for 5 weeks

WHERE

Central Saint Martins

Learn a new language: British Sign Language at Remark

As many as 50,000 Brits use BSL as their first language, making it a good one to learn. At Remark, you can attend a free taster before committing to a six-month beginners’ course. All the teachers are native BSL users, with an excellent track record for helping pupils progress quickly and confidently.

£619 for 5 months

WHERE

Farringdon

Let loose a little: Hoopla’s Impro Courses

Let loose a little: Hoopla’s Improv Courses

Even if you’re not an aspiring comedian, improvisation – or 'improv' – teaches you valuable life skills: how to think on your feet, engage an audience, be resourceful in conversation. Hoopla runs eight-week courses that are bound to get you grinning, chilling out and gaining confidence.

£195 for an 8-week beginners' course

WHERE

Liverpool Street

Write thank you notes: Quill London’s Calligraphy Courses

You start the year with every intention of sending out thank you notes to all the hosts and gift-givers that made your holiday season. Then it’s February and suddenly too late. Fortunately, the delightful stationery shop Quill, a stone’s throw from King’s Cross, runs calligraphy courses that will make you want to show off your handiwork.

£68, which includes a calligraphy set

WHERE

Angel

Get with the times: Code First

If you've always fancied setting up your own website, or just want to add an extra skill to your CV, learning to code is a satisfying, and surprisingly creative pastime. Code First run eight-week, women-only courses aimed at professionals who are total coding beginners. They're a low-commitment, reasonably priced introduction to the skill (seriously: people pay £8,000 for coding bootcamps in London.)

£685 for a term

WHERE

Holborn

Sleep more: Will Williams Meditation

The chances are, if you have trouble winding down in the evenings, you’ve tried a few meditation techniques and found they haven’t worked for you. Even sceptics have been known to leave Will Williams' classes with the tools to incorporate meditation into their daily lives. Williams started his business after experiencing acute insomnia, so the focus is on helping people have restorative nights for productive days.

From £98 (seven hours over three days)

WHERE

Shoreditch

Appreciate your loved ones more: Bodyology’s massage courses

Rather than simply booking yourself a message (though you should take the time to do that too), why not learn the skills so you can ease knots in the shoulders of those you care about? At Bodyology, there’s an emphasis on passing on your newfound knowledge—we all know it’s important to receive as well as give. So think of this course as an investment in your own relaxation as well as that of others.

£85 for a full-day introduction to massage

WHERE

Russell Square

Explore beyond London: The Thames Path Challenge

It’s not a course as such; it’s a supportive community for those aiming to walk the length of the Thames, between Putney and Henley. The challenge can be split into as many weekends as you choose – most people aim for between four and six. En route, you’ll be able to spot deer in Richmond, see where the Magna Carta was sealed at Runnymede, and spot more than one royal residence.

Free

WHERE

Putney to Henley

Start cycling to work: TFL’s free cycle training classes

It saves you money and time, and is a great way to keep fit without spending unnecessary hours or pennies at the gym. And who knew TfL provide free training for cyclists of all abilities in every borough? Whether you’re too nervous to pedal to your local corner shop, or an experienced cyclist looking to top up your knowledge about safe cycling on roads, have a look at the courses and classes you could take.

Free

WHERE

Any borough

Finally fix the kitchen sink: The Good Life’s DIY courses

In this digital age, DIY is dying; but there’s something seriously satisfying about getting the job done with your own two hands. ‘DIY in a Day – Plumbing’ sounds dry, but the teachers at The Good Life know how to make such subjects not only accessible but entertaining. The courses fill up quickly, so book now if you're interested

£70 for the Basic Plumbing Morning on 16 January

WHERE

Southwark

London classes and courses to make your 2020 productive

Be a little greener: Upcycling class at The Old School Club

Appreciate nature more: London Terrariums’ Workshop

Get fit: Bungee Dance Masterclass at Upswing

Stop getting takeout: Migrateful’s Cookery Courses

See a different side of London: Thames Explorer’s Mudlarking expeditions

Save money: Make your own dress at the University of the Arts London

Learn a new language: British Sign Language at Remark

Let loose a little: Hoopla’s Improv Courses

Write thank you notes: Quill London’s Calligraphy Courses

Get with the times: Code First

Sleep more: Will Williams Meditation

Appreciate your loved ones more: Bodyology’s massage courses

Explore beyond London: The Thames Path Challenge

Start cycling to work: TFL’s free cycle training classes

Finally fix the kitchen sink: The Good Life’s DIY courses

Things to do

Classes

Courses

Immersive experiences: London 2020 events to book now

Singles nights and dating events: London 2020 edition

London Fashion Exhibitions: on now

New Year’s resolutions: how to maintain your fitness routine in 2020

The best creative workshops London has to offer

The very best cooking classes London has to offer

London classes and courses to make your 2020 productive

Be a little greener: Upcycling class at The Old School Club

Appreciate nature more: London Terrariums’ Workshop

​Get fit: Bungee Dance Masterclass at Upswing

Stop getting takeout: Migrateful’s Cookery Courses

​See a different side of London: Thames Explorer’s Mudlarking expeditions

​Save money: Make your own dress at the University of the Arts London

​Learn a new language: British Sign Language at Remark

Let loose a little: Hoopla’s Improv Courses

Write thank you notes: Quill London’s Calligraphy Courses

Get with the times: Code First

​Sleep more: Will Williams Meditation

​Appreciate your loved ones more: Bodyology’s massage courses

Explore beyond London: The Thames Path Challenge

Start cycling to work: TFL’s free cycle training classes

Finally fix the kitchen sink: The Good Life’s DIY courses

Things to do

Classes

Courses

Immersive experiences: London 2020 events to book now

Singles nights and dating events: London 2020 edition

London Fashion Exhibitions: on now

New Year’s resolutions: how to maintain your fitness routine in 2020

The best creative workshops London has to offer

The very best cooking classes London has to offer

Get fit: Bungee Dance Masterclass at Upswing

See a different side of London: Thames Explorer’s Mudlarking expeditions

Save money: Make your own dress at the University of the Arts London

Learn a new language: British Sign Language at Remark

Sleep more: Will Williams Meditation

Appreciate your loved ones more: Bodyology’s massage courses