Candle making in the UK

A candle making workshop in the UK typically costs between 35 and 75 pounds for a 2 to 3 hour session. Prices include wax, wicks, fragrance oils, containers and instruction. You usually take 2 to 4 candles home. London workshops tend to be at the higher end; workshops outside major cities are often 35 to 55 pounds. Browse candle making workshops →

Yes — candle making is one of the most accessible crafts to do at home. A basic soy wax candle requires only wax, wicks, containers, a pouring pot, and fragrance oil. Starter kits cost 20 to 40 pounds and contain everything you need. Unlike pottery or glassblowing, no specialist equipment or studio is needed. Find a beginner workshop →

Soy wax is generally recommended for beginners — it's easier to work with, produces less soot, has better fragrance throw, and is more environmentally friendly. It's also more forgiving of temperature mistakes during pouring. Paraffin produces a harder, shinier candle but requires more precision.

A well-made soy wax candle in a standard 200ml container burns for 30 to 50 hours. Burn time depends on wax type, wick size, fragrance load, and container diameter. The wick-to-container ratio is the most critical factor — an undersized wick causes tunnelling; an oversized wick causes excessive smoke.

Yes, but you need to comply with UK cosmetic product safety regulations. Candles sold to the public must be safety tested, labelled with hazard warnings (CLP regulations), and the fragrance load must be within safe concentration limits. If you're selling, research UKCA marking requirements and consider a cosmetic product safety report.