The River Shop reviews

Mark Thompson reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"Excellent course very informative Richard was very helpful he answered questions we all had and was very knowledgeable on the subject had a good time and now understand a lot more about resin than I did before the course "

Julie Fielding reviewed: DIY Pumpkin Floral Arrangement

"Sadly on this occasion the course wasn't able to run."

Julia Burden reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"I took part in the Beginner’s Resin workshop last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was so much to learn about resin projects as it is not easy to get good results without knowing how to properly prepare. Richard explained it in such an engaging and clear way that you take in a lot of information in those few hours while feeling as though the class is over too soon. I will definitely be booking a follow up workshop and bringing more friends and family. "

Gordon reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop Part Two - Resin Finishing

"A good follow up to the beginner’s module. As ever, Richard’s tips based on sound experience were most useful. The best finishing processes and best products to use were strongly recommended - and the pitfalls waiting for the unwary explained. The module included the use is a chop saw and router table. Safety concerns were paramount…"

Mel reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"+2.5 hours absolutely flew by. Learnt sooo much. Everything set out well and explained, including the science! Only downside is I could have done with a coffee break. And I think 13 was possibly 3 or 4 people too much? Apart from that highly recommend this taster course!"

Philippa Atkinson reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"Having never worked with epoxy resin before, I signed up for this beginners course to find out more about it. It has given me a good foundation and a definite interest in continuing to learn more about this craft. Richard explained everything clearly and it was a lovely welcoming atmosphere."

The River Shop responded:

"Hi Philippa, thank you for your kind feedback! We’re so pleased to hear you enjoyed the course and found it a great introduction to epoxy resin. We’d be delighted to welcome you back for future classes."

KateT reviewed: Beginners Woodworking: Make a Bread Board

"I took my Dad for his 80th birthday, and we both had a fab time playing with all the different tools and machines, and coming out at the end with a gorgeous bread board. Often when I attend a workshop, I enjoy myself, but wouldn't necessarily keep my masterpiece out on display - this will take pride of place!"

Daniel Ford reviewed: Group Bookings : Flowers and Resin Tray or Wall Art

"I cannot speak highly enough of th dried flower an resin tray workshop offered by Richard at The River Shop. I have now attended 6 separate workshops here and every one of them has been insightful, fun, creative and an education. Richard is a fantastic teacher; calm, reassuring, knowledgeable and trustworthy as well as a really top human being to hang out with! This class in particular was such a relaxing and immersive experence, really allowing me to flex my creative muscles in a calm space surrounded by like-minded people. The final piece is fab and is the perfect gift for any loved one in your life! I cannot recommend Richard and The River Shop highly enough and can't wait to return for my next learning experience soon!"

Martin Streetz reviewed: Resin River Charcuterie Board Workshop

"The course was brilliant, Richard is a great teacher and takes his time to explain everything in detail and patiently answer any question. Beyond teaching you the skills he also takes great care to make sure you know how to work safely in the course and when using your new skills at home. I'm really pleased with the way my charcuterie board came out and will surely be back for another course."

The River Shop responded:

"Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the course and that Richard’s guidance helped you feel confident and safe while learning. We’re thrilled you’re happy with your charcuterie board, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another class!"

Susan Young reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"The course was lots of fun and well organised. The tutor explained each step very clearly. I now have a new craft passion."

Kishor Pillai reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop Part Two - Resin Finishing

"The Part 2 session on finishing was an excellent experience. I never realized how important the different types of abrasives are, or just how much care is needed when finishing resin pieces. Richard explained everything clearly and thoroughly in his state-of-the-art workshop, making the learning process both engaging and practical. Just like the Part 1 session earlier in the day, this class was equally informative and fun. I left with a whole new appreciation for the finishing stage and the confidence to apply what I learned. I’m definitely looking forward to returning for more advanced classes in the future. I highly recommend this class (both Part 1 and 2) to anyone who’s curious about resin art—whether you’re completely new or just want to strengthen your foundation. Richard’s expertise and clear explanations make it an excellent learning experience."

Kishor Pillai reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"I recently took Richard’s epoxy resin beginners class, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Richard is not only incredibly knowledgeable about the craft, but he also has a gift for breaking down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-follow steps. What stood out most to me was how he didn’t just show us how to do something, but also explained why each step mattered. That extra context made the process so much clearer and gave me the confidence to try it on my own. The class was thoughtfully paced, with plenty of room to ask questions, and Richard’s approachable teaching style made everyone feel comfortable, no matter their skill level. "

Steph Mackay reviewed: Group Bookings : Flowers and Resin Tray or Wall Art

"This is such a lovely course! I found this such a peaceful way to spend an evening after work. I am not overly creative, but this allowed me to make a really beautiful item for my home. You are able to pick from a beautiful selection of hand pressed flowers to make your own design to set in resin, and walk through all the steps really clearly. Everyone who sees my tray thinks it's professionally made! The River Shop is located in a beautiful creative space by the river, which is a joy to visit too! I highly recommend."

Sam Dalton reviewed: Beginners Woodworking: Make a Bread Board

"Having previously attended a course elsewhere using hand tools, this course led by Richard (and ably assisted by Joel) was a perfect compliment. I now feel so much more confident using machine tools; the detailed demonstrations and explanations of the comparative uses of each machine were delivered perfectly. Thanks Richard and Joel for a great day; I’d heartily recommend to anyone wanting to learn some new skills or to hone some existing ones. "

KF reviewed: Beginners Woodworking: Make a Bread Board

"Nice introductory course! Good instruction and time management. Nice way to spend a Sunday morning!"

Katie Koehler reviewed: Epoxy Resin Art Masterclass: Seascapes

"The seascape resin workshop was fantastic. Just a small group of us and Richard explained things well and was happy to answer all our myriad questions very patiently! He explained things well and kept checking to ensure we had understood before moving on to the next thing. He was encouraging of our efforts and on hand if we needed any assistance. I can thoroughly recommend this course and am very happy with the items I made."

Sue Meaden reviewed: Group Bookings : Flowers and Resin Tray or Wall Art

"Thank you for a great course! My daughter and I had a fantastic time and are really excited to receive our work. It was obvious that a huge amount of thought and prep had gone into the workshop and that great care had been taken to ensure everyone had a good experience. Highly recommended"

dee reviewed: Epoxy Resin Flower Masterclass

"This course was great! So much fun and incredibly well organised. Richard created a lovely, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and was impressively knowledgeable but also able to make it simple for a beginner. The huge selection of dried flowers for us to work with meant people were really able to get creative and I loved seeing the different approaches people took. I'm really excited to receive my finished piece."

Nicholas Fitzgerald reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"Very well presented course by Richard and would highly recommend if you’re planning on taking on resin projects "

Sophie Wood reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop Part Two - Resin Finishing

"Many of us had already done the beginners' pouring class a month before and had come back to finish their item. I attended straight after the beginners' course in the am, so I finished a pre-made piece. I liked the emphasis on safety and the correct tools to ensure the work space remains safe to breathe in. Richard explained how to achieve a polished finish, but we practiced a smooth finish as this was more practical for daily use of the items we made."

Sophie Wood reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"I had a great time at the resin pouring class, and learnt a hell of a lot. Richard was hugely knowledgeable and a great teacher. Make sure you take a note book and pen, you'll want to make the most of what you learn, and there are some technical bits well worth jotting down."

Sam reviewed: DIY Workshop: Power Tools Course

"Instructor was excellent. Incredibly knowedgable and gave a lot of positive reinforcement during the session. Feel far more confident with Power Tools as a result of my class here. Will definitely be back next month for another session!"

Hannah Gelder reviewed: DIY Workshop: Power Tools Course

"This course was brilliant. As a relative novice to DIY, I found it really reassuring that Richard was so informative and supportive in walking us through various different power tools. He took the time to find out all of our various needs and reasons for attending and then tailored his teaching and information to that. I left feeling super well informed and much more confident to take on more challenging projects at home. Thank you!"

Clare reviewed: DIY Workshop: Power Tools Course

"Brilliant course! Richard was really knowledgable and made it really interesting. We were able to get our hands on the tools and carried out practise exercises which will help me with my next diy project. I have recommended this course to friends and can see it being very popular! "

Rebecca reviewed: Epoxy Resin Art Masterclass: Seascapes

"I’ve wanted to attend a workshop to learn how to make resin seascapes for ages and I’m so pleased I went to this one. The instructions were so clear and easy to follow and Richard is an encouraging teacher. I’m thrilled with the coasters we made - they are stunning. The course has given me the confidence to try at home as we were given lots of tips and tricks for achieving the best résultats. I’d highly recommend this thoroughly relaxing course in a beautiful location. "