Edinburgh Open Workshop
BEST FOR
Ages 14+
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
A members' workshop space in Edinburgh for woodworking, welding, textiles, CNC routing and laser cutting, with under-18s only allowed alongside a parent or carer.
This is a proper workshop, not a class you drop the kids off at. Members get their own access to woodworking benches, welding gear, a CNC router, laser cutters, metalwork and textile machines, and you build your own project rather than follow a set craft table. It's set up for adults who want to actually make something, with the site clear that under-18s can only join in if they're 14 or over and working alongside a parent, guardian or carer.
Membership is the way in, and it's not a one-off fee. Standard membership runs £80 a year, students get it for £60, and there's a cheaper £35 textile-only option if sewing and fabric work is all you're after. Business membership at £300 is aimed at people using the space commercially. Every tier gets you into the member's area, the forum and the staffed reception, which matters if you're having tools or materials delivered.
Once a year there's a Doors Open Day, 11am to 4pm, which is the one time this stops being members-only. That's when family activities open up for children aged 5 and over, with guided tours and live demonstrations of the machinery in action, so it's worth timing a visit around that date if you've got younger kids curious about how things get made rather than teenagers ready to use the tools themselves.
A couple of things to flag before you plan a trip. There's no parking on-site during Doors Open Day, with Ocean Terminal the nearest option, and the paint floor and Event Space are both stairs-only.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Teens 14+ with an adult; under-5s only on Doors Open Day
- Membership is annual, not pay-as-you-go, so it suits regular use rather than a one-off visit
- Doors Open Day is the only time family activities for under-14s happen
- Bringing your own sewing machine is fine but older machines need an electrical safety check first
- The paint floor and Event Space are both up flights of stairs with no lift mentioned
Plan your visit
What's the minimum age to take part?
Classes and workshops are 18+, or 14+ if a parent, guardian or carer is participating alongside them. Some courses have their own age rules on top of that depending on the instructor.
How much does membership cost?
£80 a year standard, £60 for students, and £35 if you just want the textile membership. Business membership is £300 a year.
Is there anything for younger children?
Yes, on Doors Open Day there are family activities for children 5 and over, with guided tours and live demonstrations. Outside that event it's a members' workshop rather than a kids' activity space.
Can I bring my own sewing machine?
You're welcome to bring your own. If it's more than two years old it needs an electrical safety test first, and the office can arrange that for you.
Is there parking?
There's parking listed as an amenity generally, but on Doors Open Day itself there's none on-site, so Ocean Terminal is the nearest option.
Is the building accessible?
Not fully. The paint floor is up two flights of stairs and the Event Space is also stairs-only, so both areas aren't wheelchair accessible.
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