There's something wonderfully satisfying about going on holiday and coming home with more than photographs.

Perhaps it's a slightly wonky handmade bowl, a colourful mosaic or a recipe that becomes a firm family favourite. Whatever the souvenir, the best ones often come with a story.

The Forest of Dean, Wye Valley, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire are full of opportunities to try something different. From pottery and painting to cookery and traditional crafts, the region has a thriving creative community waiting to share its skills.

And when you're enjoying a group holiday with friends or family, trying something new together can be half the fun.

1. A Little Clay, a Lot of Laughter

Pottery is one of those activities that looks deceptively easy.

Watch an experienced potter at the wheel and it seems almost effortless. Have a go yourself, however, and you might discover that creating a perfectly symmetrical bowl requires rather more skill than anticipated.

Fortunately, that's all part of the enjoyment.

At Hot Pot Pottery, near English Bicknor in the Forest of Dean, visitors can enjoy pottery experiences designed for beginners and more experienced enthusiasts.

The studio offers introductory pottery sessions, wheel-throwing workshops and pottery painting. Some experiences even combine pottery with food, including afternoon tea, pizza or pasta.

It's an appealing choice for a small group of friends or family members looking for something relaxed, creative and memorable.

And there's a lovely bonus: once your creations have been glazed and fired, you'll have a lasting reminder of your holiday.

The studio also offers private experiences, although numbers vary depending on the activity, so larger groups should enquire in advance. Visit the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley

2. Cooking Up Something Special

Food has a wonderful way of bringing people together.

Whether you're sharing recipes, discovering new flavours or laughing over a culinary disaster, a cookery experience can turn an ordinary afternoon into something rather special.

Harts Barn Cookery School, near Longhope, offers a variety of hands-on cooking experiences.

From baking and seasonal cooking to exploring different cuisines, there's plenty to tempt enthusiastic home cooks and complete beginners alike.

The school also offers bespoke group experiences, making it an interesting option for friends, families and organised groups.

Imagine spending the afternoon learning a new technique, experimenting with ingredients and discovering something delicious.

Then return to your holiday house, gather around the dining table and discuss everyone's culinary achievements.

Who knows? You might even discover a previously hidden talent among your group.

Harts Barn also offers catering services at holiday accommodation, subject to individual arrangements, providing another possibility for groups celebrating a special occasion. Visit the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley

3. Making Memories with Mosaics

For something colourful and wonderfully absorbing, why not try mosaic making?

It's an activity that combines creativity with conversation, and you don't need to consider yourself particularly artistic to enjoy it.

At Rachel Shilston – Inspiring Creativity, based near Lydney, visitors can explore the art of mosaic making in a welcoming studio environment.

Rachel offers workshops suitable for beginners, alongside private sessions and creative kits.

One of the lovely things about mosaic making is that everyone's finished piece will be completely different.

Give ten people the same materials and you'll probably end up with ten very different designs.

For groups who enjoy chatting while doing something practical, it's an excellent combination.

There are also take-home mosaic kits, offering the possibility of enjoying a creative afternoon together at your holiday accommodation.

Imagine everyone gathered around a large table, concentrating on their creations, occasionally comparing progress and offering entirely unsolicited artistic advice.

It's the sort of afternoon that produces as much laughter as artwork. rachelshilston.co.uk

4. Discover Your Inner Artist

You don't need to be a talented painter to enjoy an art workshop.

Sometimes the pleasure comes simply from sitting down, switching off from everyday responsibilities and trying something completely different.

The beautiful Wye Valley provides plenty of inspiration.

At Wye Valley Arts Centre in Llandogo, visitors can explore painting, drawing and other creative disciplines in a characterful converted chapel.

The centre welcomes beginners as well as those with more experience, offering opportunities to learn in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Private group hire is available for up to eight people, with the possibility of arranging a tutor.

It's particularly appealing for smaller friendship groups, art enthusiasts or those who have always fancied picking up a paintbrush but never quite found the time.

And if your artistic masterpiece doesn't turn out exactly as planned?

Well, that's another holiday story to tell. wyearts.co.uk

5. Explore the Region's Creative Communities

You don't necessarily need to book a workshop to enjoy the region's artistic side.

Throughout the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, independent makers produce everything from ceramics and jewellery to textiles, woodwork and decorative glass.

Exploring local galleries, craft shops and studios can make a wonderfully leisurely afternoon.

In Tintern, for example, the Wye Valley Craft Association showcases work by local craftspeople at Abbey Mill.

It's an opportunity to discover something unusual, support independent makers and perhaps find a special gift to take home.

Alternatively, plan a day exploring the independent shops and galleries around Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth or Hay-on-Wye.

Different members of your group can follow their own interests before meeting again for lunch or afternoon tea.

There's no need for everyone to enjoy precisely the same things. Visit Monmouthshire

6. Bring the Creativity Back to Your Holiday House

Of course, not every activity needs to involve going out.

One of the advantages of staying in a large holiday house is having the space to enjoy activities together.

Perhaps someone in your group is an enthusiastic flower arranger. Another might be a talented artist, a keen photographer or a particularly accomplished baker.

Why not invite everyone to share a favourite skill?

You could organise a relaxed photography challenge, try painting the surrounding countryside or spend an afternoon making something together.

For groups with several generations, these activities can be particularly rewarding.

Grandparents might discover that their grandchildren have unexpected artistic talents, while younger family members could learn traditional skills that have been passed down through generations.

The results don't have to be perfect.

In fact, the less perfect they are, the more entertaining the stories sometimes become.

7. Keep the Experience Flexible

When planning activities for a larger group, it's worth remembering that enthusiasm varies.

Some guests might be delighted at the prospect of spending an afternoon creating pottery, while others would much rather explore a nearby town or settle down with a good book.

That's absolutely fine.

Many creative workshops operate with relatively small numbers, making them ideal optional activities rather than something everyone must attend.

For larger parties, you could divide into smaller groups, arrange different experiences or simply let everyone choose how they spend their time.

It's often this freedom that makes a group holiday so enjoyable.

Everyone has the opportunity to do something they love, without feeling obliged to follow a rigid programme.

And when the group comes together again, there's plenty to talk about.

8. A Beautiful Place to Come Back To

After a day of discovering new talents, there's nothing quite like returning to a spacious, welcoming holiday house.

At Big House Holiday Lets, our collection of large self-catering properties across the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire provides wonderful places for friends and families to spend time together.

With generous communal spaces, comfortable accommodation and beautiful surroundings, our houses make it easy to enjoy shared experiences while giving everyone room to relax.

Whether you're planning a creative getaway, a family reunion or a holiday with old friends, the possibilities are wonderfully varied.

Because sometimes the best holiday memories aren't simply about the places you visit. They're about the things you discover you can do together.

Explore our large holiday houses and start planning your next memorable group getaway.

Creative activities are independently provided and booked directly with the relevant businesses. BHHL provides accommodation only.