Craft Retreat
the Diplomat Hotel & Spa, Llanelli
Unwind, Create, Recharge
Thursday 19th – 22nd June 2025
Diplomat Hotel & Spa, Felinfoel, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 3PJ
Residential Places £795 per person
Approximately 20-25 people
This June, treat yourself to the perfect blend of relaxation and creativity with Craft in Bloom!
Escape the everyday and indulge in a craft retreat at the Diplomat Hotel & Spa, where you’ll immerse yourself in a variety of hands-on craft workshops, whilst making the most of the facilities.
Whether you’re crafting your latest masterpiece, unwinding in the spa, or simply soaking up the peaceful atmosphere, this retreat is your opportunity to refresh both body and mind. Experience the joy of learning new skills and connecting with like-minded individuals whilst having lots of fun and laughter along the way.
Let your creativity bloom, as you enjoy the perfect craftcation. Ensure that you have plenty of room in your luggage to accommodate all the beautiful items that you will be creating to take home.
What to Expect
This Package Includes:
All workshops and the materials that are required to participate.
3 nights accommodation at the Diplomat Hotel & Spa.
Use of the spa facilities and gym. (Treatments will incur an extra cost and MUST be arranged directly with the hotel beforehand).
Free WiFi
Free Parking.
Day 1. Tea/coffee upon arrival and 3 course evening meal.
Day 2. Full English and/or continental breakfast, light lunch and 3 course evening meal.
Day 3. Full English and/or continental breakfast, light lunch and 3 course evening meal.
Day 4. Full English and/or continental breakfast.
Workshops
The workshops will be held in a comfortable room with plenty of working space. The itinerary will include candle making, soap making, cosmetics, paper crafts and working with clay. There will be a few crafty surprises along the way to add that little extra bit of excitement! Who doesn’t like a crafty surprise?!
Some timings and sessions may be subject to change, but you will be fully informed if this is the case.
Is this retreat for you?
This package is suitable for adults only.
All levels of experience are welcome, from the complete novice to the more seasoned of crafters. If you are a complete beginner, please don’t be discouraged, just immerse yourself in the activities and find your talent within. We’re confident that you will make some amazing items during your stay!
As long as you enjoy crafting and would like to mix and make like minded friends in a calm and friendly environment, this is the place for you!
*Note. Please be mindful that some of the tools required for these crafts may include sharp objects and might not suitable for everyone to use safely. Please advise us if you have any particular requirements prior to booking.
Itinerary
19th June, 2025
2pm. Hotel Check In.
2.30pm. Welcome Meeting. Maggie McLoughlin, owner of Craft in Bloom, will be waiting to welcome you in the Concorde Room with all the exciting news and itinerary of the retreat.
3pm-5.30pm. Card Making Workshop. We will kick off the retreat by making some interesting light-up greeting cards. Delight as you ‘ooow’ and ‘aaagh’ your way through the process of making your very own unique card and box set! A must for any card craft lover out there!
18.00. Scrumptious 3 course dinner
19.00. If you haven’t finished your card and box project, now, would be a good time to complete it with our instructor, who will be on hand to guide you through the process.
Otherwise, you can take your time to relax, unwind and familiarise yourself with all that the hotel has to offer. Whether it be in the swimming pool, health spa, gym or just soaking up the atmosphere with your newly made friends in the bar. Whatever you decide to do, we’re sure that you will enjoy the ambiance of peace and relaxation.
20th June
7am-9am. Start the morning off with a delicious full English and/or continental breakfast.
9am-9.30am. Take this time to decide whether you want to participate in the workshops or enjoy the ambiance of the hotel and local areas.
Of particular note. There is a local beach (5 minutes’ drive away), where you can walk along the Millennium path, whilst taking in the beautiful scenery and breathing in the crisp sea air. The Gower can be seen across the estuary.
Whilst the workshops will be running throughout your stay, it is your choice whether or not you would like to participate.
9.30am. Clay Modelling. Cath Baker will be our clay instructor today. She has many years’ experience in the field and she is delighted to be able to teach us how to mold and design our very own unique models out of clay and natural resources.
12 midday. We will take a break for a light lunch in the hotel restaurant.
1.30pm-4.30pm. This afternoon, we will continue with our clay models and Maggie will be back to instruct us on making gift boxes to place them in.
The rest of the afternoon will be yours to relax and unwind further.
6pm. Time to enjoy your 3 course dinner, which will be prepared for us by the hotels in house chef.
7.30pm. Surprise Workshop
21st June
7am-9am. Start the morning off with a delicious full English and/or continental breakfast.
9am-9.30am. Take this time to decide whether you want to participate in the workshops or enjoy the ambiance of the hotel and local areas.
9.30am. Soap and Cosmetics Workshop. Martin Davies will be our instructor today. He is an award winning Bee Keeper and has a vast amount of experience in the field. He often uses the honey that he collects in his products. We will commence the day making some soap and cosmetics and he might even share some of his recipes with you!
12 midday. We will take a break for a light lunch in the hotel restaurant.
1.30pm-4.30pm. Martin will take us on a journey in candle making this afternoon. He will tell us more about his bee hives and how we use products from the bees to make candles. You will learn lots of new techniques and make several candles to take away. The aroma that fills the room is a delight! An interesting workshop, and certainly, not one to be missed!
4.45pm. We will make some gift boxes to place our candles in.
6pm. Time to enjoy your 3 course dinner, which will be prepared for us by the hotels in-house chef.
Later on this evening, we will have the opportunity to have a drink in the bar and say our Good Bye’s, as we soak up the in-house live entertainment.
22nd June
11am. Hotel check out.
Interested?
Next steps…
To secure your place, please click the button below to book online, however if you have any difficulty in doing so, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 07964 466345 for assistance.
Before booking, please note the Terms and Conditions further down this page.
Venue
The Diplomat are a family run hotel and operated with charm, warmth and generous hospitality, their courteous, efficient and professional staff are on hand to help make your visit as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. This iconic Llanelli hotel was built in 1810, and today its bedrooms feature stylish decor and modern features. Each room includes a TV, hairdryer, tea/coffee facilities and a private bathroom to ensure that their guests enjoy only the highest standards of comfort and convenience.
meet the Team
Maggie McLoughlin
Maggie’s passion for crafting began 20 years ago, and for the past 15 years, she has been teaching, with a particular love for card craft. However, her friendly craft workshops welcome many other creative persuits, where she enjoys sharing new techniques and ideas. Maggie is always eager to explore innovative methods and bring fresh inspiration to a variety of craft activities.
Though she didn’t start out as a crafter, she has embraced the journey wholeheartedly, learning, teaching, and sharing her enthusiasm with others every step of the way.
Martin Davies
Martin is a local beekeeper based in Dafen, Llanelli. After attending a beekeeping for beginner’s class in 2012, the hobby has become a favourite pastime and now, as well as being Secretary for the local beekeeping society he also looks after the bees at The National Botanic Garden of Wales.
He has won awards at local, national and international level for his candles, beeswax creations and honey. Since 2021 he has been producing his own range of natural cosmetics, incorporating honey and beeswax from his own bees, under the Tir Capel Apiary brand.
Cath Baker
Cath is a children’s book illustrator, doll’s house miniature model maker and all round crafter.
She has 16 years teaching experience and is inspired by nature and her love of the outdoors. She incorporates natural elements with clay models to produce delightful dioramas.
Her workshops are engaging and absorbing, with easy-to-follow step by step instruction whilst producing very satisfying results for the participants.
All levels of skills are catered for.
Terms & Conditions
Prices are charged per person. 50% of the cost of the retreat will be required at the time of booking and will be non-refundable. The remaining balance is to be paid no later than 21st May 2025.
If the remaining balance has not been received by 22nd May, we reserve the right to reallocate your place.
The cost of the retreat includes: All workshops and the materials that are required to participate. Hotel accommodation for 3 nights. 3 breakfasts, 2 light lunches, 3 evening meals and 3 afternoon tea/coffee’s. Use of the Eden Spar and Health Club facilities (treatments will be available at an additional cost). WiFi and parking.
REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS
If you wish to change your mind about attending, please inform us at the earliest opportunity in writing (craftinbloom.uk@google.com). If you cancel prior to 21st May and you have paid the full balance, we can offer a refund of £397.50, but after that date, we regret that no refund will be possible.
In the unlikely event that we have to cancel the retreat, you will receive a full refund.