BENTHAM POTTERY, Oysterber Farm, Low Bentham, Lancaster. Ring 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. Ring 01606 883261. Craft shops and workshops set around an Edwardian stable block. Other features include an aquatic and falconry centre with ususual 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. Ring 01257 261220. A 150-year-old spinning mill with 5 floors selling collectables, memoriabilia, 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. Ring 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, Eccle Lane, Bispham Green, Ormskirk, Lancashire. Ring 01257 463113. A needlecraft school and centre with daytime workshops where you can watch craftspople 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. Ring 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. Ring 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. Ring 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. Ring 01477 571616. 8 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.