Free Traditional Compo Making & Moulding Workshop
Get hands-on with history in this 90-minute Compo Making & Moulding Workshop. Discover the art of traditional composition frame making, made from a centuries-old English recipe, and create your own decorative moulding to take home.
- Booking essential
Step behind the scenes of our Breakfast Room conservation project and discover the fascinating craft helping to restore Osterley's magnificent mirrors.
As specialist conservators carefully repair the historic mirror frames, they are recreating missing decorative details using a traditional ornamental material called composite, or "compo", a mouldable material widely used from the 18th century onwards. You can even watch the conservation work in action every Wednesday and Thursday in the House.
Now it's your chance to have a go yourself. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how compo is made, using a traditional English recipe, before moulding your own decorative ornament to take home.
As a craft now recognised on the Red List of Endangered Crafts, this is a rare opportunity to experience a traditional skill that is helping to preserve some of Osterley’s historic collection.
Thursday 23 and 30 July Adults (18+) only Limited to 8 places per workshop Free, but advance booking is essential
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult | £0.00 |
The basics
- Booking number
Call 02082325050
- Meeting point
Please meet at the visitor welcome kiosk on the north side of the House (where you get House/Garden entry tickets)
- Suitability for children
Not suitable for people under 18
- What to bring and wear
Weather appropriate clothing
- Other
Workshops will be on Thursday 30th July and Thursday 6th August – If there is interest more may become available. The workshops are for adults only -18+ and is limited to 8 places per workshop. Workshop runs for 90 minutes.
Upcoming events
Nature Spotting Challenge
Bird Bingo is back! Challenge yourself to tick off 5 birds in a row (vertically or horizontally) that you spot at Osterley. Hunt for mini beast (bugs, insects and worms). We have a list of 'mini beast' for you to try and find along the long walk.
Conservation in Action
Step behind the scenes and witness a rare Red Listed heritage craft brought to life. Every Wednesday and Thursday from 14 July to 20 August, expert conservators will be restoring our beautiful Breakfast Room mirrors.
‘Journeys – Wedding Shawls, Baghs and Phulkaris from the Karun Thakar Collection'
At Osterley, intricately-embroidered wedding shawls from Punjab will fill Robert Adam’s neoclassical rooms with colour and craft.
Asian Women Run 5K/10K
Join Asian Women Run for a family fun 5K and 10K to celebrate one year since the group started at Osterley Park. It's a free event to walk, run or jog and is open to anyone looking to improve their wellbeing in a supportive environment.