The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon, Birmingham. Sat 1st February 2025
2025-02-01 11:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | The Studio, Birmingham, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham, B2 5EP, United Kingdom
It’s happening, it’s the Great Birmingham Hugathon!
The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon in Birmingham takes place on Saturday 1st February between 11.00am and 3.30pm, at the Studio, Birmingham, which is in the heart of the city, less than 5 minutes walk from Birmingham New Street Station.
We are in the Inspire room which is on the second floor. The ground floor receptionist will help you, there are stairs and a lift to the right of reception. There will be a receptionist on the second floor to direct you.
Our Venue is fully accessible. Access to the venue is straight from the street pavement. There is a lift to get you to the second floor. There are accessible bathroom facilities.
Our Hugathons are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Woolly Huggers who share a love of crafting. They are friendly and inclusive. It is a great time for chatting with your fellow Woolly crew and sharing ideas. If Tortie behaves we will let him come too!
We will also be running a couple of fundraisers, our fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket)for which there is even a special edition Birmingham Tortie! We will also be running a DeStash table. If you have crafting items to donate to our DeStash table please do bring, remember one person’s destash is another person’s treasure! So do bring along some cash, or we do have a card machine if that is easier, happy to tap for any amount!
And finally we will play a couple of games of our infamous Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this!
During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. In Birmingham we are focussing on our Chernob 25 project. We will provide all SSDK, but please remember to bring your 4mm hooks/knitting needles, you will need them! If you have any squares already made for THIS project, please bring them, it may be that we can get some kits out for construction.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks, we won’t judge if that is alcohol. There are shops nearby if you prefer to pop out and grab coffees/sandwiches etc.
TICKETS COST £20 EACH, which includes Event swag!
Do join us, we’d love to meet you or see you again. And if you are worried about not knowing anyone, let us know and we can get you seated and chatting as quick as a flash.
How to get there…
Birmingham New Street is less than a 5 minute walk away. Exit the North exit ‘Stephenson Street’
If driving, the New Street Station car park is a 2 min walk and the Birmingham Snow Hill car park is 5 mins. The closest disabled parking spot is on Waterloo Street which is just around the corner from Cannon Street.
If you wish to arrive by bike, they will store your bike in their secure basement, just ask reception on arrival.
Also Birmingham International Airport is super close, takes about 10 mins on the train, just saying….
The address is, The Studio, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham, B2 5EP

The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon, Southampton. Sat 15th March 2025
2025-03-15 10:30 - 15:30 | Central Hall, St Mary Street,, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 1NF., United Kingdom
It’s happening, it’s the Great Southampton Hugathon!
The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon in Southampton takes place on Saturday 15th March between 10.30 and 3.30pm, at the Central Hall, St Mary Street, Southampton, SO14 1NF. We are starting early to make extra sure we avoid the football being played at Southampton’s ground. The game kicks off at 3pm so finishing at 3.30 will avoid the football at the end.
Our Venue is fully accessible. Access to the main entrance of the venue is straight from the street pavement. There is a lift to the left of the main entrance to take you up the step. There are accessible bathroom facilities. The ground floor receptionist will help you with this and direct all to our room.
The venue itself was built in 1925. In the early days a banner hung from the entrance to Central Hall saying ‘For Southampton and the World’. And now that is woolly world too!

Our Hugathons are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Woolly Huggers who share a love of crafting. They are friendly and inclusive. It is a great time for chatting with your fellow Woolly crew and sharing ideas. If Tortie behaves we will let him come too!
We will also be running a couple of fundraisers, our fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket) We will also be running a DeStash table. If you have crafting items to donate to our DeStash table please do bring, remember one person’s destash is another person’s treasure! So do bring along some cash, or we do have a card machine if that is easier, happy to tap for any amount!
And finally we will play a couple of games of our infamous Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this!
During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. In Southampton we are focussing on our Chernob 25 project. We know it is after the date for squares but we aim to make a whole Southampton blanket! We will provide all SSDK, but please remember to bring your 4mm hooks/knitting needles, you will need them!
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks, we won’t judge if that is alcohol. There are shops nearby (Greggs/Costa/Tesco express) if you prefer to pop out and grab coffees/sandwiches etc. We will have urns for coffee/tea for a donation.
TICKETS COST £20 EACH, which includes Event swag!
Do join us, we’d love to meet you or see you again. And if you are worried about not knowing anyone, let us know and we can get you seated and chatting as quick as a flash.
How to get there…
Central Hall is easily accessible, with plenty of parking around the streets of the building and the main multi-storey car parks in the city itself.
Both the M27 and M3 are just 5 miles from the venue with the route offering fantastic views of one of the world’s busiest international harbours. The international airport is just 15 minutes drive away and the main train station is a 20 minute walk through the city’s beautiful parks which boast magnificent gardens and greenery. AND if you are visiting off a ship, or decide to moor your yacht at Town Quay Marina, a 10-minute walk to us will keep your interest captured by the spectacular history of Southampton’s ancient walls which proudly still stand today. The only transport links we are missing is a helipad – but, they are working on it.
Central Hall, St Mary St, Southampton SO14 1NF

The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon, Edinburgh. Saturday 4th October 2025
2025-10-04 11:00 - 15:30 | St. Columba’s by the Castle, 14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW, United Kingdom
The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon in Edinburgh takes place on Saturday 4th October 2025 between 11.00am and 3.30pm, at St Columba’s by the Castle Church Hall in central Edinburgh, just off the Royal Mile, close to Edinburgh Castle. Hopefully this year without Charles and Camilla gatecrashing!
Our Venue is fully accessible. Access to the venue is via a gentle and wheelchair-friendly ramp from the street pavement and there is a lift to the level of the hall and garden area downstairs. There are accessible bathroom facilities.
Tickets cost £20 each. On Sale from 7pm from March 1st 2025.
Our Hugathons are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Woolly Huggers who share a love of crafting.They are very friendly and inclusive. It is a great time for chatting with your fellow Woolly crew and sharing ideas. If Tortie behaves we will let him come too! We’ve included some testimonials from folk who have been to one before, which might be useful if this is your first time.
During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. In Edinburgh we are focussing on our Snug Project. We will provide all SSDK, but please remember to bring your 4mm hooks/knitting needles, you will need them! If you have any squares already made for THIS project ONLY, please bring them, it may be that we can get some kits out for construction.
We will also be running a rather fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket) We will also be running a DeStash table. If you have crafting items to donate to our DeStash table please do bring, remember one person’s destash is another person’s treasure!
And finally we will play our Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this!
We have use of the kitchen area, and will provide the wherewithal for making tea and coffee for a donation. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks, we won’t judge if that is alcohol!
We will be flying to Edinburgh so will be unable to take any completed treasure home, apologies for this, we have limited luggage allowance.

Do join us, we’d love to meet you or see you again. And if you are worried about not knowing anyone, let us know and we can get you seated and chatting as quick as a flash.

A wonderful experience meeting friends and like minded people. Like sinking into a warm bath of friendship I’ve always known but never met before. Jen
A fabulous day meeting ‘strangers’ I have known online for years. Sharing yarn, craft skills, cake and laughter. Returning home full of love for the wonderful Woolly Huggers! Jo
It was lovely to meet all the folk I have made virtual friends with online . It gave me a real sense of us working together helping to make something beautiful and worthwhile . It was also lovely for the chat , laughter and to admire the amazing craftmanship going on around me , and how everyone was happy to share their expertise Steph
The hugathon is where the WH virtual community crosses over into a face to face community, meeting others who you may have got to know online. It’s so lovely to be able to sit and work and natter together, comparing notes and making friends. It epitomises the spirit of WH, crafters working together to benefit others. Alison

How to get there…

Lothian Region Transport buses run along nearby George IV Bridge and Lothian Road. The venue is also close to Princes Street and George Street, further bus information can be found at the City Council website.
The venue is also reasonably close to Edinburgh’s Waverley station for rail services. There is a taxi rank at the station.
Parking is limited in the area:
Metered On-street parking: Johnston Terrace 8:30am – 6:30pm Mon-Sat (charges apply)
Closest NCP Parking: Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EW https://www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/cities/edinburgh/

St. Columba’s by the Castle, 14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW ( Big blue door!)

Some photos from previous years..

The Great Woolly Hugs’ Christmas Hugathon, Oxford. Saturday 29th November 2025
2025-11-29 11:00 - 15:30 | St Johns, Broadway, Kidlington, OX5 1DD
Come and be merry and bright. It’s the Oxford Christmas Hugathon!
Tickets on sale from 7pm on Monday 1st September 2025. Set an alarm!

The Great Woolly Hugs’ Christmas Hugathon in Oxford takes place on Saturday 29th November 2025 between 11.00am and 3.30pm, at St John’s Hall Church, Broadway, Kidlington, OX5 1DD. All welcome!
Our Venue is fully accessible. Access to the venue is smooth from street level. There are accessible bathroom facilities.
As it is our Christmas Hugathon you might like to wear any Christmas jumper/decorations you may have, but NO OBLIGATION! Additionally we will try not to Wham everyone like we did in Gloucester that time!
TICKETS COST £20 EACH, which includes Event swag!
In time for this Event we are registering with Stripe for card payments which will be a lot easier. WE HOPE!
Our Hugathons are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Woolly Huggers who share a love of crafting. They are friendly and inclusive. It is a great time for chatting with your fellow Woolly crew and sharing ideas. If Tortie behaves we will let him come too! We’ve included some testimonials from folk who have been to one before, which might be useful if this is your first time.
We will also be running a couple of fundraisers, our fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket) We will also be running a DeStash table. If you have crafting items to donate to our DeStash table please do bring, remember one person’s destash is another person’s treasure! So do bring along some cash, or we do have a card machine if that is easier, happy to tap for any amount!
And finally we will play a couple of games of our infamous Yarn Bingo game, but with a Christmas twist, you will not want to miss this!
During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. Hopefully for Chernobyl 26 but this needs confirming. We will provide all SSDK, but please remember to bring your 4mm hooks/knitting needles, you will need them! We will also be making pompom decorations for our woolly Christmas tree.
We have access to hot water for drinks, and will provide the wherewithal for making tea and coffee for a donation. We are planning mulled wine and mince pies. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks.
How to get here..

There is parking at the front of the Church, and some local street parking. Ali has made us a map. All red lines denote on street parking for free, but do double check in case things have changed.

Oxford Parkway (Park and Ride) is only 15 mins walk. Parking tariffs for Oxford Parkway station: Up to one hour: Free. Up to 11 hours: £2.10 ( at the time of writing)
The nearest train station is Oxford Parkway. It takes an average of 6 mins to travel from Oxford to Oxford Parkway by train, over a distance of around 4 miles (6 km). There are normally 40 trains per day.
All buses from Oxford to Kidlington stop outside the Hugathon venue
And it is pretty close to Oxford Airport!
St John’s Hall Church, Broadway, Kidlington, OX5 1DD

The Great York Hugathon. January 31st 2026
2026-01-31 11:00 - 15:30 | St Olave’s Church Hall, Marygate Lane, YO30 7DS, York, YO30 7DS, United Kingdom
The Great Woolly Hugs’ York Hugathon takes place on Saturday 31st January 2026, between 11am and 3.30pm. Our venue is at St Olave’s Church Hall, Marygate Lane, York, England, YO30 7BJ. This is very near to the beautiful Museum Gardens, and easily accessed by public transport, The venue is accessible, with accessible facilities. This is the same venue as our last trip to York.
Tickets cost £20 each. On Sale from 7pm from November 1st 2025.
Our Hugathons are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Woolly Huggers who share a love of crafting.They are very friendly and inclusive. It is a great time for chatting with your fellow Woolly crew and sharing ideas. If Tortie behaves we will let him come too! We’ve included some testimonials from folk who have been to one before, which might be useful if this is your first time.
During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. In York we are focussing on our Chernobyl 2026 Project. We will provide all SSDK, but please remember to bring your 4mm hooks/knitting needles, you will need them! If you have any squares already made for THIS project ONLY, please bring them, it may be that we can get some kits out for construction.
We will also be running a rather fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket) We will also be running a DeStash table. If you have crafting items to donate to our DeStash table please do bring, remember one person’s destash is another person’s treasure!
And finally we will play our Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this!
We have use of the kitchen area, and will provide the wherewithal for making tea and coffee for a donation. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks, we won’t judge if that is alcohol!
This will be the palette, we just need a new pic!

Do join us, we’d love to meet you or see you again. And if you are worried about not knowing anyone, let us know and we can get you seated and chatting as quick as a flash.

A wonderful experience meeting friends and like minded people. Like sinking into a warm bath of friendship I’ve always known but never met before. Jen
A fabulous day meeting ‘strangers’ I have known online for years. Sharing yarn, craft skills, cake and laughter. Returning home full of love for the wonderful Woolly Huggers! Jo
It was lovely to meet all the folk I have made virtual friends with online . It gave me a real sense of us working together helping to make something beautiful and worthwhile . It was also lovely for the chat , laughter and to admire the amazing craftmanship going on around me , and how everyone was happy to share their expertise Steph
The hugathon is where the WH virtual community crosses over into a face to face community, meeting others who you may have got to know online. It’s so lovely to be able to sit and work and natter together, comparing notes and making friends. It epitomises the spirit of WH, crafters working together to benefit others. Alison

How to get there…
For car drivers the nearby Marygate car park (postcode YO30 7DT) is large and easy to find, being just off Bootham (the A19). York’s Park & Ride and other scheduled bus services run conveniently close, and the church is also only ten minutes walk from York railway station.

The Great Central London Hugathon. Saturday 21st March 2026
2026-03-21 11:00 - 15:30 | Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust,, 17 Stukeley Street,, London, WC2B 5LT, United Kingdom
The Great Woolly Hugs’ Central London Hugathon takes place on Saturday 21st March 2026, between 11am and 3.30pm. Our venue is the wonderful Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust,, 17 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LT. This is easily accessed by public transport. The venue is accessible, with accessible facilities.
Tickets cost £20 each. On Sale from 7pm on Friday 23rd January.
Our Hugathons are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Woolly Huggers who share a love of crafting.They are very friendly and inclusive. It is a great time for chatting with your fellow Woolly crew and sharing ideas. If Tortie behaves we will let him come too, although he says he is keen to go to the British Museum which is not far away. We’ve included some testimonials from folk who have been to one before, which might be useful if this is your first time.
During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. In London we are focussing on our Chernobyl 2026 Project. We will provide all SSDK, but please remember to bring your 4mm hooks/knitting needles, you will need them! If you have any squares already made for THIS project ONLY, please bring them, it may be that we can get some kits out for construction.
We will also be running a rather fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket) We will also be running a DeStash table. If you have crafting items to donate to our DeStash table please do bring, remember one person’s destash is another person’s treasure!
And finally we will play our Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this!
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks, there is limited kitchen access and we will provide tea and coffee making facilities. Although this is London, so there are shops, coffee places etc nearby!
The Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust provides enormous and critical support for local families and individuals, through an enormous range of activities and provision. They themselves are a charity. And renting out their hall helps fund projects. One of the fundamental resources onsite is they provide emergency food support. And we thought how lovely it would be if our attendees brought something for this, be a great way for us to support them in a basic and practical way. So if you can, please add something to your bag on the day, needs to be long life, in date and unopened obvs.
Suggestions

Breakfast cereal
Pasta
Instant noodles
Rice
Tinned meat, fish, fruit, vegetables
Baked beans, spaghetti, tinned tomatoes
UHT milk
Sanitary pads also very useful

If you can do this it will be incredibly kind. THANK YOU!!

How to get here…
If arriving by taxi or uber… Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust, 17 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LT
The two closest tube stations are Holborn (not accessible) which is on the Central line and about a 5 minute walk, and and Covent Garden (accessible) on the Piccadilly line which is approx a 7 minute walk. It is only about a 30 minute walk from Waterloo.
The whole area is well serviced by busses, the closest stop being Drury Lane (Stop S) for busses 8 and 188

Do join us, we’d love to meet you or see you again. And if you are worried about not knowing anyone, let us know and we can get you seated and chatting as quick as a flash.

A wonderful experience meeting friends and like minded people. Like sinking into a warm bath of friendship I’ve always known but never met before. Jen
A fabulous day meeting ‘strangers’ I have known online for years. Sharing yarn, craft skills, cake and laughter. Returning home full of love for the wonderful Woolly Huggers! Jo
It was lovely to meet all the folk I have made virtual friends with online . It gave me a real sense of us working together helping to make something beautiful and worthwhile . It was also lovely for the chat , laughter and to admire the amazing craftmanship going on around me , and how everyone was happy to share their expertise Steph
The hugathon is where the WH virtual community crosses over into a face to face community, meeting others who you may have got to know online. It’s so lovely to be able to sit and work and natter together, comparing notes and making friends. It epitomises the spirit of WH, crafters working together to benefit others. Alison

The Great Belfast Hugathon. Saturday 9th May 2026
2026-05-09 11:00 - 15:30 | Rosario Parish Centre, 503 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GR, United Kingdom
The Great Woolly Hugs’ Belfast Hugathon takes place on Saturday 9th May 2026, between 11am and 3.30pm, at Rosario Parish Centre. (Also known as Holy Rosary or Good Shepherd) 503 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GR
Thank you so much to lovely Maggie S for being our Belfast connection and for finding this beautiful venue.
Rosario is in a pleasant, quiet neighbourhood in the area known as upper Ormeau (or more formally, Ballynafeigh).. There is hotel/BandB and Airbnb accommodation within walking distance, also plenty of restaurants, cafes, pubs, shop etc about 10 minutes walk
Tickets cost £20 each. On Sale from 7pm on Friday 28th February.
Our Hugathons are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Woolly Huggers who share a love of crafting.They are very friendly and inclusive. It is a great time for chatting with your fellow Woolly crew and sharing ideas. If Tortie behaves we will let him come too, although he says he is keen to go to the Titanic Museum which is not far away.
All venues like this in Belfast are dry. No alcohol allowed on premises, so please leave your tins of gin at home this time! We are forming Plan B for the gin raffle!
During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. In Belfast we are focussing on our Snugs 2026 Project. We will provide all SSDK, but please remember to bring your 4mm hooks/knitting needles, you will need them! If you have any squares already made for THIS project ONLY, please bring them, it may be that we can get some kits out for construction.
We will also be running a rather fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary NOTGIN Raffle (£1 a ticket) We will also be running a DeStash table. If you have crafting items to donate to our DeStash table please do bring, remember one person’s destash is another person’s treasure!
And finally we will play our Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this!
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks, there is kitchen access and we will provide tea and coffee making facilities.

How to get here..
It’s about 2 miles from the city centre and Grand Central bus/rail station and about 1.5 miles from Botanic Avenue and Queens University.
There is a frequent bus service linking Rosario to the city centre, stations and university, and there are numberous hotels and other accommodation options along that route. Bus stops are 2-3 minutes walk along Ormeau Road.
Rosario is at the junction of Ormeau and Ravenhill (two arterial routes), which makes is easy for drivers to find. It’s easily accessible from the motorways without crossing the city centre. £20-£25 for 4 person taxi to airport. There is plenty of parking at the venue.
