Candle Making Workshop and Bubbly in UK

Few experiences feel this hands-on in Brighton.

This candle making workshop in Hove (Charlie Doodle) is a calm, small-group class where you learn the science behind eco-soy wax plus how to scent and color your own creations. I especially liked the clear, step-by-step feel, and the take-home payoff: you make several styles and get to leave with candles ready to use or gift. One thing to consider, if this is for a tight schedule, is the workshop runs about 2 hours, so come ready to focus and stay the full time.

The second big win for me is the workshop vibe. One review called out the venue as a cabin in Charlie’s back garden, and it matches the relaxed feel the class is aiming for. The only real drawback is that you are working with wax, oils, and dyes, so you should expect a bit of mess potential even if the setup is beginner-friendly.

Key Highlights You’ll Want to Know First

• Eco-soy wax with scent and color control, using essential oils, fragrances, and colour dyes
• Multiple candle styles to make, including floating, container, and beeswax candles
• Beginner-friendly teaching, with enough structure to help you learn beyond trial and error
• Small group size (max 15), which makes questions easy and the pace comfortable
• A garden-cabin workshop setting, often described as relaxing and creatively motivating
• Optional add-ons for groups, since private lessons and other craft workshops are offered

Candle Making at Charlie Doodle in Brighton, What It Feels Like

Brighton is full of lively streets and sea air, but this class gives you something different: a quiet, creative hour-and-change where you slow down. You meet at Charlie Doodle, at 14a Wilbury Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3JN. The session starts at 2:00 pm and runs around 2 hours.

What I like most about this kind of workshop is the mix of practical technique and personal choice. You are not just following a script. You learn the basics of wax types, oils, wicks, and methods, then apply that knowledge to candles you actually get to take home.

Also, the setting matters. One birthday group mentioned the workshop happens in a cabin in Charlie’s back garden, which helps explain why people describe it as relaxing. If you are planning a hen party, birthday, or baby shower, that calmer tone is a big part of the value, not just the candle supplies.

How the Workshop Teaches Eco-Soy Wax, Wicks, and Scents

This is a candle making class built around 100% pure Eco-Soy wax. That matters because soy wax is the foundation of what you will be melting, mixing, and pouring. The workshop doesn’t treat wax as a black box. You learn about different wax types, then connect that to what you pour and how it behaves.

You also learn how to choose and work with:

• Essential oils and fragrances (for scent)
• Colour dyes (for visual style)
• Wicks (for how the candle burns)

Even if you start as a total beginner, the teaching approach seems to be more than just hand you tools and hope for the best. One review specifically said that even though it was a beginner course, they learned a lot, especially about experimenting with fragrance and decoration. That tells me the class is structured so you leave with skills you can use again at home.

And if you are the type who likes to understand why something works, the focus on wicks and methods is the real payoff. Most store-bought candles give you the result, but not the logic behind it. Here, you get at least enough knowledge to make small improvements next time you experiment.

Your Candle Lineup: Floating, Container, and Beeswax Candles

The workshop payoff is built into the take-home part. You make and leave with a selection of:

• Floating candles
• Container candles
• Beeswax candles

That mix is smart for a couple reasons. First, it gives you variety in one session, so you are not stuck making one type of candle over and over. Second, different candle styles can feel like different crafts, even when the class is still teaching you the same general ideas about materials and scent.

Floating candles tend to feel fun and creative because they look great in water displays and parties. Container candles are practical, because they are the easiest way to make something that works right away at home. Beeswax candles add a different character, since beeswax has its own natural look and feel compared with soy-based projects.

In other words, you are not just making a souvenir for the day. You are building a small candle assortment you can actually use.

The Real Itinerary Inside the Two Hours

The exact minute-by-minute schedule isn’t listed, but the class is clearly built like a guided workflow. Here is how to think about what happens from the moment you arrive.

1) Arrive, get set up, pick your creative direction

You start at the Charlie Doodle meeting point and head into the workshop space. The class is set for small groups, up to 15 people, so it is not a crowded factory vibe. Expect the facilitator to explain the materials you will use, the safety basics of handling hot wax, and how the process will work.

This is also when you can start thinking about your scent and color choices. If you enjoy choices, this part matters. You want to decide what you want your candles to smell like and what look you are aiming for, before the mixing starts.

2) Learn the basics: wax types, oils, wicks, and methods

Next comes the teaching block. You learn about wax types, essential oils and fragrances, colour dyes, and wicks. Then you connect that knowledge to practical steps.

I like this setup because it prevents the usual beginner mistake: copying the look without understanding the burn basics. Wicks are the quiet make-or-break part of candle making. When you understand wick selection and method, your candle results improve.

3) Make your candles using eco-soy wax and your chosen add-ins

Then you shift from listening to doing. You will handle eco-soy wax and add scent and color according to your selections. The workshop is designed so you can make multiple styles, so your work likely moves from preparation into pouring and finishing steps.

This is the part where it feels most rewarding. A review described the workshop as well structured with lots of choice of good quality resources. That combination is what makes the process feel fun, not stressful.

4) Finish, pack up, and leave with candles ready to enjoy

At the end, you take home your selection of floating, container, and beeswax candles. The class is built around that take-home moment, so you are not leaving empty-handed or with one small item.

If it is a celebration day, this is also the moment where photos make sense. You have visible results, not just a lesson.

Value and Price: Is $66.83 Fair for This Experience?

At $66.83 per person, this class is priced like a focused, hands-on workshop rather than a casual demo. And you do get several things that justify the price.

First, you get technique, not just a one-time craft. You learn the different parts of candle making: wax, scent inputs (essential oils and fragrances), color dyes, and wick basics. That knowledge is reusable, which is why some beginners leave wanting to keep experimenting, not just finishing one project.

Second, you get multiple candle types to take home: floating, container, and beeswax. That’s a stronger return on the price than classes where you make just one small candle.

Third, you’re in a group capped at 15 people, which usually means you spend more time making and less time waiting. For a two-hour class, that matters.

Now, a balanced note: candle making can be relaxing, but it is still a practical craft. If you hate hands-on activities or you prefer watching from the sidelines, you might find it less satisfying.

Who This Fits Best: Hen Parties, Birthdays, and First-Time Makers

This workshop is clearly pitched for group celebrations. It is described as a fun and friendly experience for a hen party, baby shower, or birthday, and group discounts are offered.

It also fits first-timers well. One review specifically said they learned so much even though it was a beginner course. That tells you the teaching pace is not only for confident crafters.

If you are traveling with friends who all have different tastes, you will still get a shared experience. Everyone makes candles, but each person can choose scents and colors, so the group ends up with different results. That makes it easy to compare and laugh, while still feeling proud of your own design.

If you are coming as a couple or solo, it can also work, as long as you enjoy small-group attention and making something with your hands.

“Candle Making and Bubbly” and the Alcohol Question

The title mentions bubbly, so it’s fair to ask what that means on-site. The only explicit rule you have is about alcohol: alcoholic beverages are only allowed for ages 18 and above.

So if you are bringing younger kids or planning a family-friendly celebration, you can treat the event as a craft first. Adults can expect that any alcohol follow the 18+ rule.

Practical Tips So You Get the Best Results

Since you will be working with wax, oils, fragrances, and colour dyes, do a little prep in your head so the class feels smooth.

• Plan to stay for the whole two hours so you don’t rush your pouring and finishing steps.
• Think about your scent direction before you start mixing, even if you also keep an open mind.
• Decide what matters more to you: scent strength, visual color, or candle style. The best results usually come when you prioritize one or two goals.

One more practical note from a real-life situation: a birthday group arrived early, and the workshop timing was off. The host, Charlie, was accommodating and found capacity to run a session at 10am instead of 2pm. That doesn’t mean every timing issue will be fixed instantly, but it does suggest the team is willing to be flexible when possible.

Should You Book Candle Making in Brighton?

I’d book this if you want a creative, hands-on Brighton experience with real skills, not just a quick activity. The strongest reason is the combination of instruction and results: you learn the basics behind eco-soy wax, wicks, scent, and color, and you leave with a varied set of candles, including floating, container, and beeswax.

I would skip it if you are short on time or you dislike tactile crafts. This is not a sit-and-watch show. It is you making the candles, which is great when you want that kind of day.

If you are deciding last-minute, here’s my simple checklist: small group size, multiple take-home candle styles, and beginner-friendly teaching with enough structure to help you experiment later. That’s a strong match for groups who want something memorable and useful.

FAQ

Where is the candle making workshop meeting point?

The workshop meets at Charlie Doodle, 14a Wilbury Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3JN, UK.

How long is the workshop and what time does it start?

The workshop lasts about 2 hours and starts at 2:00 pm.

What will I make and take home?

You will learn to make candles using eco-soy wax, essential oils or fragrances, and colour dyes. You’ll take home a selection of floating candles, container candles, and beeswax candles.

Is the workshop taught in English?

Yes, the workshop is offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The workshop has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Are alcoholic beverages included, and who can have them?

Alcoholic beverages are only allowed for ages 18 and above.