Cockpit, Deptford

Cockpit Arts is home to designer-makers based in a creative workplace. Twice a year, they hold Open Studios where you can buy direct from the designers. It's a free event - with a suggested donation - where you can visit individual studios on 3 floors, have an opportunity to chat to the designers and pick up a unique item, especially good at Christmas. It's also a good way to support independent makers and a hard-working social enterprise. There's always a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with refreshments available in many of the studios as well as a pop-up café. Watch out for the Summer and Christmas Open Studios, usually held in June and November/December each year, both at Deptford and Holborn studios.

Visited on one of their open days, always something new and interesting to discover and nice to be able to talk to the designer/makers about their work. The stand out work for me were the amazing innovative glass designs by Shelley James which fuse scientific concepts with artistic beauty.

Open days host a great selection of talented, quality arts and crafts folk. Varied from shoe makers to weavers. Great place to find gifts or special objects.

We took a leather workshop and it was a blast! I didn’t expect it to be so fun and easy and cool. It’s great to learn some art, culture, and work with your hands

Makers studios with a twice yearly open studio - see products from crafts people of musical instruments, baskets,. Artwork, tea towels, cards, paper, knives... Interesting conversations, nice café, amazing products

Great open studios event with fantastic creatives and makers from Deptford and further afield!

We went to Cockpit Christmas open studios! It was a treat to meet the makers aswell as seeing all the products close up, discussed potential custom designs and it was exactly the place you’d want to buy a personalised special gift for a loved one. I will be returning next year.

I was delightfully surprised by the wide range of crafts and quality of skills sets on display. I would love to visit again.