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The Witchery runs daily besom-making workshops in Edinburgh's Leith Walk, teaching the centuries-old craft of binding birch twigs to hazel handles. Each session is an hour-long, ticketed experience held in a working shop where traditional methods meet contemporary craft culture. This guide covers scheduling, preparation, and what the workshop delivers.
Quick answer
Broom making classes at The Witchery operate Monday to Sunday, 11:00–18:00, with hour-long workshops scheduled throughout the day. Entry to the shop is free, but the hands-on workshop is a ticketed experience. Arrive between 11:00 and 17:00 to allow time for material selection before your session begins. Each participant crafts a functional besom broom using birch, willow, or heather and takes it home the same day.
The besom broom predates the bristle brush by centuries, and its construction has remained largely unchanged since medieval Europe. At The Witchery on Haddington Place, that continuity is the point. The workshop teaches binding, not theater. Participants work with birch twigs, hazel handles, and waxed cord, following a method that prioritizes function over folklore. The result is a broom sturdy enough for daily use, not a decorative prop. The session runs for one hour and assumes no prior experience. You select your materials from the shop's stock—birch for stiffness, willow for flexibility, heather for scent—then bind the bundle to a handle using a figure-eight cord technique that tightens as the twigs dry. The instructor demonstrates once, then circulates as participants work. The pace is deliberate. Rushing the bind produces a loose head, and the workshop allows enough time to correct mistakes before the final knot. The Witchery operates as both retail space and teaching studio, so the environment during broom crafting sessions reflects working craft rather than curated experience. Tools are shared, materials are replenished between sessions, and the smell of raw wood dominates. The location on Leith Walk places it outside Edinburgh's tourist corridor, which keeps the participant mix tilted toward locals and craft learners rather than casual visitors. That shift in audience changes the tenor of the workshop—questions focus on technique, not narrative. Because the class is ticketed and space is limited, advance booking is standard practice during weekends and school holidays. The shop itself remains free to enter, and browsing the retail section before or after the workshop offers context for the tools and materials used in the session. The one-hour format fits neatly into a half-day itinerary, leaving time for the rest of Leith Walk's independent studios and cafes. Participants leave with a finished broom, functional and frankly heavier than expected, proof that the old methods still produce the most durable results.
“The bind must tighten as the twigs dry, or the head will loosen within a week.”
The shop is open daily to accommodate visitors interested in broom making classes. Regular hours are maintained throughout the week.
Entry to the shop is complimentary for all visitors. Participation in the broom making workshops requires a pre-booked ticketed experience.
Verdict: While the shop is free to enter, the final cost for a workshop depends on the specific class selected through the official website.
This plan suits first-time participants booking a single workshop session. The entire visit takes around 90 minutes, including material selection and the hour-long class.
Enter through the ground-floor shop space to view finished brooms, tools, and natural materials. Give yourself at least fifteen minutes before your workshop slot.
Choose your broom handle wood, binding cord colour, and bristle type with guidance from the instructor. This personalisation step is included in every workshop booking.
Take your seat at the workbench as the instructor demonstrates traditional binding and assembly techniques. The hands-on session runs for one hour.
Complete your broom, trim the bristles to your preferred length, and collect care instructions. Your finished piece is yours to take home immediately.
The Witchery is located at 24 Haddington Place on Leith Walk in Edinburgh. The location is well-connected by public transport and sits on a major thoroughfare leading north from the city centre.
Lothian Buses 7, 10, 11, 14, 16, 22, 25 to Leith Walk
Edinburgh Trams to Balfour Street stop
Walk north from Princes Street along Leith Walk
Direct to 24 Haddington Place
Plan your journey to arrive between 11:00–17:00. Arrive early to have time for material selection before the hour-long workshop begins.
A few steps to ensure you arrive prepared and make the most of your workshop time.
Everything you need to know about broom making classes
Participants engage in a hands-on session creating a traditional handcrafted sweeping tool using natural materials. These broom making classes provide guidance on binding techniques to ensure your creation is both functional and decorative. The process emphasizes the history of traditional crafts within a creative environment.
These workshops are designed for adult participants, though inquiries regarding older children can be directed to the team via the official site. Please note that the process involves handling natural fibers and tools that require steady focus. You should ensure the activity is appropriate for your child's interest level before finalizing a spot in our broom making classes.
Entry to the shop at 24 Haddington Place is 0 GBP. While the shop is free to enter, all specific workshops are ticketed experiences that require advance reservation. Browsing the shop displays does not require a fee, but you will need a ticket to participate in the craft sessions.
Each session is a one-hour experience that covers the essential steps of assembly. Please ensure you are prepared for the full duration of the class to get the most out of your time. This hour allows for instruction and the completion of your unique project during the broom making classes.
We recommend arriving between 11:00 and 17:00 to ensure you have sufficient time for material selection. Arriving early allows you to settle in and choose your preferred natural components before the hour-long workshop begins. Following this arrival window ensures a smooth start to your experience.
Group inquiries for our craft sessions can be managed through our official booking platform. The site provides updated availability for private or shared slots depending on the season. Always check the official site to see how to arrange a visit for multiple guests interested in broom making classes.