Reviewed · WORKSHOPS
Candle Making Workshop and Bubbly in UK
Make something you can take home. This two-hour Brighton workshop turns candle making into a relaxed, hands-on creative session, with 100% pure Eco-Soy wax, essential oils, fragrance, colour dyes, and several candle styles to try. I like the wide choice of materials and the chance to make floating, container, and beeswax candles in one visit. The main thing to consider is the setting: this is a small, informal workshop rather than a polished city attraction, and the session takes place in a cabin in a private back garden.
I also like the friendly, flexible feel. The workshop is capped at 15 people, so you should have room to work without feeling lost in a crowd. The price of $66.83 includes the practical lesson and candles to take away, but you should decide if that value suits you before booking, especially if you are mainly looking for a quick activity rather than a full creative session.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Arriving at Charlie Doodle on Wilbury Road
- Learning the basics of wax, oils, and wicks
- Making floating, container, and beeswax candles
- A relaxed two-hour pace for beginners
- Why the cabin setting suits celebrations
- The value of $66.83 per person
- What past problems teach you about timing
- Who will enjoy this workshop most
- Booking, cancellation, and useful planning details
- Should you book the Brighton candle workshop?
- FAQ
- Where does the candle-making workshop take place?
- What time does the workshop start?
- How long does the candle-making experience last?
- What types of candles can I make?
- What materials are used?
- Is bubbly included for all ages?
- How many people can join the workshop?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key points to know before booking

- Three candle styles in one session: You can make floating, container, and beeswax candles rather than repeating one basic project.
- Eco-Soy wax and fragrance choices: The workshop covers wax, oils, wicks, colour dyes, and methods for shaping attractive candles.
- A small Brighton setting: The session takes place at Charlie Doodle, 14a Wilbury Road, in a cabin in the back garden.
- Two hours of making time: The length gives you time to learn the basics, make several items, and take home your work.
- Good for celebrations: The activity suits hen parties, baby showers, birthdays, and other small group events, with group discounts available.
- A flexible creative business: Charlie Doodle also offers private lessons, kits, online lessons, and other craft workshops.
Arriving at Charlie Doodle on Wilbury Road
Your meeting point is Charlie Doodle at 14a Wilbury Road, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3JN. The workshop starts at 2:00 pm and ends back at the same place, so you do not need to manage a separate finish point.
The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are visiting Brighton without a car. Still, give yourself time to find number 14a and get settled. This is a small, personal workshop rather than a large commercial venue, so the address matters more than a grand entrance or obvious tourist sign.
The session takes place in a cabin in Charlie’s back garden. That detail shapes the whole mood. You are not sitting in a formal classroom or a busy craft studio. Instead, the setting is described as relaxing and well suited to creative work. If you like small spaces with a home-based feel, this should be part of the appeal.
If you prefer a slick, highly produced attraction with a busy timetable, you may find the garden cabin a little modest. I would see that as a tradeoff rather than a flaw. The informal setting helps keep the focus on making candles, but it also means you should arrive with realistic expectations about the venue.
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Learning the basics of wax, oils, and wicks

The workshop is not simply a craft table with supplies laid out. You learn about the main parts of candle making, including different types of wax, oils, wicks, fragrance, colour dyes, and the methods used to make attractive candles.
That foundation gives the session more value than a one-off souvenir activity. You are not only following instructions. You are learning why one wax may suit a particular candle, how fragrance changes the result, and how the wick fits into the finished piece. The information is aimed at beginners, but it can still give you enough confidence to continue experimenting at home.
One particularly useful point is the use of 100% pure Eco-Soy wax. Soy wax is presented as a central material in the workshop, while beeswax is also included among the candle types you can make. This gives you a chance to compare different materials through the finished objects, even though the exact process for each style may vary.
The activity also introduces essential oils and fragrance choices. That sensory side is a major part of the fun. You can think about the smell you want, then pair it with colour and shape. I would not expect a professional candle-making qualification in two hours, but you should come away with a clear beginner’s overview and practical experience.
Making floating, container, and beeswax candles

The most appealing part of the session is the range of projects. You can make floating candles, container candles, and beeswax candles, then take a selection home.
Each type gives you a different kind of result. Floating candles are small and decorative. Container candles feel more like the familiar scented candles you might use at home. Beeswax adds another material to the mix, giving the session variety instead of one repeated technique.
The range also makes the workshop work well for groups. People can make choices based on their own taste, rather than producing identical candles. One person might focus on fragrance, another on colour, and another on the shape or decoration.
The materials are described as good quality, with plenty of choice. That matters because creative workshops can feel disappointing when there is only one colour or a narrow set of supplies. Here, the range of waxes, scents, dyes, and candle forms gives you room to make something personal.
You should remember that handmade candles are not factory-perfect. Small differences are part of the point. If you want an identical set of professionally finished candles, buy them in a shop. If you want to understand the process and leave with items shaped by your own decisions, this workshop makes more sense.
A relaxed two-hour pace for beginners
Two hours is a useful length for this activity. It is long enough to explain the materials and methods, then give you time to make several candles. It is also short enough to fit into a Brighton day without taking over your entire schedule.
The session is described as well structured, which is important for beginners. Candle making involves several materials and steps, so clear guidance helps you avoid feeling uncertain. You should have time to ask questions, make choices, and enjoy the process instead of rushing from one project to the next.
The beginner level is another strength. You do not need to arrive with candle-making experience. The workshop explains the basics from the ground up, making it suitable for someone who has never worked with wax, oils, or wicks before.
At the same time, a beginner course may feel simple if you already make candles at home. One person who enjoyed the session still wanted to keep experimenting with fragrance and decoration afterward, which suggests the class can spark new ideas. But an experienced maker may want a more advanced lesson, and should ask Charlie Doodle about private or tailored options.
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Why the cabin setting suits celebrations
This experience fits celebrations better than a standard sightseeing stop. The small group limit and creative format give everyone something to do, while the finished candles become useful keepsakes from the day.
It is offered as an option for hen parties, baby showers, and birthdays. A birthday example involved a 13-year-old, showing that the format can work for younger participants in at least some situations. However, you should confirm the age suitability for your own group when booking, since the provided details do not state a general minimum age.
The cabin setting also supports conversation. You are working with materials at a table, making decisions as you go, and sharing the experience with your group. That is different from an activity where one person performs and everyone else watches.
Bubbly is part of the experience, but alcohol is allowed only for people aged 18 and over. Keep that rule in mind if your group includes teenagers or younger children. The workshop itself is the central activity, so the bubbly should be treated as an extra social touch rather than the main reason to book.
For a group celebration, ask about discounts and private sessions. Charlie Doodle can arrange private group lessons at a different time, date, or location. That flexibility could be more useful than the standard 2:00 pm session if you are organizing a special event.
The value of $66.83 per person
At $66.83 per person, this is not the cheapest casual activity in Brighton. The price makes more sense when you consider what is included: approximately two hours of instruction, access to waxes and other materials, a choice of candle styles, and several handmade items to take home.
You are paying for more than a finished candle. You are also paying for the chance to select scents and colours, learn how the materials work, and make the items yourself. If you enjoy practical experiences, that combination gives the price a fair case.
The value is strongest for a small celebration or a person who wants to continue making candles later. The workshop can be a starting point for further experiments, and Charlie Doodle also offers candle-making kits and online lessons. Those options may help you continue without booking another in-person session.
The value is weaker if you only want a quick souvenir or a simple drink with friends. The candle-making process takes up the full experience, and you should be ready to spend two hours making, listening, and choosing materials.
Group discounts may improve the price for larger parties. Since the maximum group size is 15, the session remains small enough to feel personal while still working for a birthday or hen party. Ask about the discount before confirming your booking, rather than assuming it is already included.
What past problems teach you about timing
The advertised start time is 2:00 pm, and the meeting point is also the end point. Check the time carefully when you book and again before the day of the workshop.
In one birthday booking, the timing had been recorded incorrectly. The group arrived early, and Charlie Doodle was able to offer a 10:00 am session because there was capacity. That flexibility saved the celebration, but you should not rely on a last-minute change being possible.
This is a good reason to contact the provider if the timing is important, especially for a birthday, hen party, or baby shower with other plans afterward. A change may be possible for a private group, but the standard information only confirms the 2:00 pm start.
The same example also shows the benefit of direct communication. Charlie Doodle was able to accommodate the group when space allowed. Still, the safest plan is to verify your time before travelling to Hove.
Who will enjoy this workshop most
I would recommend this activity to you if you like making things with your hands and want a souvenir with a personal touch. It is especially suitable if you are curious about fragrance, colour, wax, or home crafts but have never tried candle making.
It also suits groups that want an activity with plenty of conversation. The work gives you something to focus on, but it does not require the silent concentration of a serious class. That balance makes it a good match for birthdays and other celebrations.
Families may find it appealing, but check the arrangements for children in advance. The activity has worked for a 13th birthday, yet the information does not provide a standard age policy. Anyone under 18 must also skip the alcoholic drink.
You may want to choose another option if you dislike scented products, messy creative work, or informal venues. You should also look elsewhere if you want a highly advanced course, a long studio session, or a tour focused on Brighton’s landmarks.
Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. If you have a specific access need, contact Charlie Doodle before booking so the small cabin setting can be discussed directly.
Booking, cancellation, and useful planning details
Your confirmation should arrive at the time of booking. The ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking details on your phone rather than needing a printed voucher.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. If you cancel within 24 hours, you will not receive a refund, and changes made inside that window are not accepted. Keep the cut-off time in mind if your plans depend on transport or a larger celebration schedule.
The group maximum is 15 people. That limit is useful because it protects the hands-on nature of the session. A larger party may need to split into separate arrangements or ask about a private booking.
If the standard date or time does not work, Charlie Doodle offers private group lessons at other times, dates, or locations. You can also ask about online lessons and candle-making kits if you want a way to continue the hobby after Brighton.
Should you book the Brighton candle workshop?
Book it if you want a friendly, practical activity with a clear result at the end. The strongest reasons are the choice of three candle styles, the good range of materials, the beginner-friendly instruction, and the chance to take home candles you made yourself.
The price is reasonable for a two-hour craft session with supplies and finished pieces, especially for a celebration or anyone who hopes to keep experimenting with fragrance and decoration. Just confirm the 2:00 pm time, check any child or access questions, and remember that bubbly is for adults aged 18 and over.
Skip it if you want a major Brighton attraction, a formal studio, or a quick stop with no instruction. For the right person, though, this is a cheerful way to spend two hours in Hove and leave with more than a photograph.
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 stated start time is 2:00 pm.
How long does the candle-making experience last?
The workshop lasts approximately two hours.
What types of candles can I make?
You can make floating candles, container candles, and beeswax candles.
What materials are used?
The workshop uses 100% pure Eco-Soy wax, essential oils, fragrances, colour dyes, and wicks. You also learn about different types of wax and oils.
Is bubbly included for all ages?
Alcoholic beverages are allowed only for people aged 18 and over.
How many people can join the workshop?
The maximum group size is 15 people.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.
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