BENTHAM POTTERY, Oysterber Farm, Low Bentham, Lancaster. Tel 01524 261567.

Bentham Pottery makes domestic pottery in a variety of colours with pottery courses available for beginners and the more experienced. Open to October, Monday to Saturday, 8.30am-5pm.

BLAKEMERE CRAFT CENTRE, Chester Road, Sandiway, Northwich. Tel 01606 883261. Craft shops and workshops set around an Edwardian stable block. Other features include an aquatic and falconry centre with unusual plants, trees, shrubs and houseplants. Open all year, Tuesday to Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5.30pm.

BOTANY BAY VILLAGES AND PUDDLETOWN PIRATES, Canal Mill, Botany Brow, Chorley. Tel 01257 261220. A 150-year-old spinning mill with five floors selling collectables, memorabilia, furniture and unusual gifts, a museum of fire transport and art exhibition. Open all year, daily 10am-6pm and Wednesday, 10am-8pm.

CHESHIRE WORKSHOPS, Burwardsley, Tattenhall, Cheshire. Tel 01829 770401. Situated on top of the Peckforton Hills with demonstrations of candle making in the Cheshire Candle Workshops and a restaurant providing fresh home cooking. Open all year, daily 9am-5pm.

ECCLES FARM CRAFT CENTRE, Eccles Lane, Bispham Green, Ormskirk, Lancashire. Tel 01257 463113. A needlecraft school and centre with daytime workshops where you can watch craftspeople at work in award-winning converted farm buildings. Various opening times - contact venue for details.

MANCHESTER CRAFT AND DESIGN CENTRE, 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester. Tel 0161 832 4274. A centre housing 16 studios selling contemporary craft and design products including sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, clothing and costume design. Various opening times -- check with venue for details.

SWING COTTAGE CRAFT STUDIOS, 31 Lakebank, Hollingworth Lake Country Park, Littleborough, Greater Manchester. Tel 01706 379094. A craft centre and workshop with woodworking, pottery, painting and flower-arranging demonstrations. Handmade crafts and home baking goods for sale. Open to September, daily 11am-5pm.

VOIRREY EMBROIDERY BRIMSTAGE HALL COURTYARD, Brimstage Hall, Brimstage, Wirral, Merseyside. Tel 0151 342 3514. A vast range of needlework products, instructional courses and exhibitions set in a courtyard complex. Open all year, Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 1pm-5pm.

WELLTROUGH DRIED FLOWERS, Welltrough Hall Farm, Lower Withington, Cheshire. Tel 01477 571616. Eight showrooms including a permanent Christmas room, all themed in black and white, showing pots, baskets, candles, ribbons, pot pourri and interesting gifts. Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm.

DOLL AND TEDDY BEAR FAIR at Rivington Hall Barn, Horwich on Saturday November 17 10am-4pm. Adults £2.50, children £1.50.