Guernsey Candles is a family run business that gives children the unique experience of making their own candle. It’s a place we always take families that come to stay with us and we’ve found that whatever your age, or gender, you’ll enjoy it!
Location
The Guernsey Candles workshop and well stocked gift shop, is situated in the parish of St Sampson, in the North of the Island. It’s open 7 days a week and you can’t book (except for parties) you just turn up! There is a large car park on site and there are brown road signs locally which direct the way.
The Candle Workshop
You enter Guernsey Candles straight into the workshop and from here on the kids get very excited. There are lots of candles on display which help the children choose which type of candle they would like to make. It costs £10 to make a candle and as the sign states, you do receive personal supervision (it’s needed!).
Candle Dipping
The first step is to get given the inner of the candle with the wick in the middle (i’m sure there is a technical term for it!). The candle needs to be dipped into boiling wax to build up the bulk of the candle. The hot wax comes in blue, pink, yellow and white and you need to remember your colour mixing to make green, orange, purple etc. After each colour dip, the candle needs to be dipped into the cold water bucket to set the wax between each layer.
Help is on hand from the owner (and expert candle maker), especially for younger children who need more help.
A word of warning...the wax is boiling and the first time our girls made a candle Lottie was wearing open toed sandles and she dripped the hot wax onto her foot and it really hurt her, so I would advise closed shoes or if not, check that your child isn’t swinging the candle over themselves!
Candle Sculpting
Once there are enough layers on the candle, it’s time to sculpt it. The candle is hung up and the kids are given a little sculpting knife. They are shown how to make cuts and to twist the wax into pretty shapes. This part takes time and lots of concentration. Once the sculpting is finished the wick is trimmed and it’s ready to take away.
A thoroughly enjoyable and unique hour’s activity that will appeal to kids of all ages. The gift shop is a real hidden gem with a vast amount of stock, including cards, kids toys, gifts for all family members, along with of course, lots of candles!
Address
Guernsey Candles, Les Petites Capelles, Guernsey GY2 4GR
Opening Times
9am to 5:30pm daily
Cost
Free entry, £10 to make a candle.
