About

Welcome to the Hay Barn where creativity flourishes!

After a fulfilling 20-year career in the nursing world, founder Lara Speir decided to embark on an exciting new life chapter. Inspired by her passion for art and creativity, Lara set about transforming a beautiful 18th century hay barn in rural Hampshire into a haven of imagination and artistic expression.

Today, the Hay Barn is home to an eclectic community of highly-skilled artisans and practitioners, curated by Lara, who offer an array of inspiring art, craft, and wellbeing workshops.

The goal is simply to make the Hay Barn a sanctuary of creativity. A place where creative minds can escape the ordinary to collaborate, learn from each other, and find solace in the act of creation.
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Let’s escape the ordinary together.

"I spent a enjoyable 2 days in the Hay Barn learning to make lampshades with Eloise Scotland. Expertly taught, with lots of hands-on advice resulted in a lovely bedroom lampshade. The next one is headed for the drawing room! A friendly group and a delicious lunch made for a great respite from the dreary January/ February weather."

Victoria G 2024

"The Hay Barn has a great atmosphere. We had an excellent teacher for the lamp shade making course. Everyone was very friendly and we all had two great days with delicious lunches, and made lots of new friends and came back with a new exciting skill. Highly recommended! (Life-long Stitcher)"

Sona Harrap

"I loved the Hay barn course, I wish every Thursday was as much fun! Thank you, for organising such a brilliant teacher and the best company with the most delicious and spoiling lunch."

Serena Freeland

"A wonderful course learning new skills and discovering shared interests and likeminded souls alike amongst a friendly community. And a delicious lunch!A fabulous course - I’m hungry for more! I thoroughly recommend, time spent at the Hay Barn is time well spent indeed."

Katy de Laszlo

"I used to go to Hampshire for walks and the countryside, but now there's a venue that entices me in for exercise, education and crafts. The Hay Barn is such a find."

Molly Swann

"I loved Priscilla Pollara's course at the Hay Barn: so informative, I feel refreshed and ready to tackle my business comms/the year, and Lara and the Hay Barn team were so welcoming."

Claire Reading

"I don't think there's a lovelier place than the Hay Barn to spend a day among like minded people to learn, have fun and get away from the humdrum."

Victoria Reeding

"I've attended 3 workshops at the Hay Barn and each time I have come away feeling, rested, educated and ready to tackle another day at my office job"

Iona Bowen

"Lara and the Hay Barn team have such an eye when it comes to selecting workshops for their customers - I've enjoyed all of the ones I've attended"

Prillcilla Pollara