In our hyper-connected world, finding genuine respite from the constant ping of notifications can feel impossible. But what if switching off could be more than just putting your phone in airplane mode? What if it could be a gateway to discovering a new creative practice that connects you deeply with both craft and countryside?
Here in Princetown, Devon, nestled in the heart of Dartmoor—the very landscape that inspired Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles—we've discovered something rather special about combining traditional letterpress printing with the raw beauty of moorland exploration.
Where Craft Meets Countryside
There's something profoundly grounding about working with your hands in the morning, then stepping out onto ancient moorland paths in the afternoon. The rhythm of hand-setting type and operating vintage printing presses creates a perfect counterpoint to the expansive freedom of walking Dartmoor's open spaces.
Our studio sits just a mile from Fox Tor Mire—the boggy wilderness that Doyle transformed into the fictional Grimpen Mire. It's a landscape where skylarks fill spring skies with their spiralling songs, where buzzards ride summer thermals, and where tiny froglets make their epic migrations from tadpole pools to new territories.
The Perfect Day for Creative Explorers
Morning: Making Your Mark in the Studio
In our letterpress workshop, there are no computers, no screens—just the satisfying clunk of metal type, the smooth roll of ink, and the gentle pressure of printing presses that have been creating beautiful work for decades. You'll design and print covers for a small sketchbook, learning traditional techniques that connect you directly to centuries of printmaking heritage.
Don't worry if you've never tried letterpress before—we'll guide you through every step, sharing our favourite processes for overcoming creative overwhelm and decision paralysis. The beauty of working by hand is that happy accidents often become the most treasured details.
Afternoon: Sketching the Wild
After lunch (available from our local café), we'll venture onto Dartmoor itself. Our guided walks are tailored to the group's abilities, taking you along paths where nature journaling becomes second nature. Whether you're already comfortable with outdoor sketching or you've never drawn a landscape before, Dartmoor provides endless inspiration.
This isn't about creating masterpieces—it's about slowing down enough to notice the small wonders: the way afternoon light catches on granite tors, the delicate patterns of moorland grasses, or the sudden flight of a stonechat from a gorse bush.
Why This Combination Works
For nature lovers who are craft-curious, this pairing offers the best of both worlds. The morning's focused, tactile work in the studio prepares your mind for the afternoon's open-ended exploration. Many participants find that the meditative quality of letterpress printing actually enhances their observational skills outdoors—and vice versa.
What Makes It Special:
- Complete digital detox in a world that rarely asks you to switch off
- Learn a traditional craft that few people have experienced
- Explore landscape steeped in literary history
- Combine structured learning with unstructured wandering
- Take home a handmade sketchbook filled with your own Dartmoor observations
Practical Details for Your Creative Adventure
We provide everything you need for both the studio session and the moorland walk. All printing supplies are included, along with refreshments throughout the day. The studio work happens regardless of weather (though we recommend waterproofs for Dartmoor—it really can rain at any moment up here!).
If you're not particularly crafty, that's absolutely fine. We'll walk you through everything at a comfortable pace, leaving out unnecessary complications. Similarly, if outdoor sketching feels intimidating, remember that the goal is enjoyment and connection with the landscape, not artistic perfection.
The workshop is open to everyone, though do note that our historic studio has an unheated space and limited seating, with presses designed for standing use. For those with mobility considerations, we can accommodate mobility scooters on Dartmoor's "miles without stiles" routes—just let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Your Gateway to Mindful Making
Whether you're a seasoned hiker looking to add creative practice to your countryside adventures, a nature journalist seeking new ways to document your observations, or simply someone who craves a genuine break from digital overwhelm, this combination of letterpress and landscape offers something genuinely restorative.
It's about rediscovering the pleasure of making something beautiful with your hands, then carrying that sense of creative possibility out into one of Britain's most inspiring wild spaces.
Ready to switch off and tune in to a different kind of creativity? Book your studio time here and let's plan your perfect day of hands-on creativity in Devon.