grey rose

Our perfume making courses and workshops run throughout the year in a dedicated teaching room/laboratory at the Cotswold Perfumery in the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water. As well as learning the skills involved in developing and making your own perfume (to take home with you), you’ll get a unique insight into the life of independent perfumers in the UK.

Over 18s only

Vouchers for our perfume making courses are available here

View our course dates

Book your place

Follow your nose

Discover our perfume making courses

LEVEL ONE COURSE

Learn about the art and science of scent and make your own perfume - Suitable for absolute beginners or as a top-up refresher course.

FIND OUT MORE | BOOK NOW

ADVANCED FIVE DAY COURSE

Learn how to become a perfumer! This five day course combines both the beginners' course and the previously held level two perfume making courses. It also includes a day of spreadsheet training.

FIND OUT MORE | BOOK NOW

LAB DAYS

Our Cotswold Perfumery Lab Days are your chance to put your new skills into practice, in our fully equipped fragrance laboratory

FIND OUT MORE

CHECK OUR COURSE DATES

View the latest upcoming dates for all our courses.

FIND OUT MORE

We have been making world-renowned perfumes for over 50 years and this is our opportunity to share our expert knowledge and skills with you when you attend one of our very popular CPD accredited perfumery courses.

To book your place on our perfume training workshops simply view our booking system.

View our course dates

Discover our services

Introducing our Chief Perfumer

Owner of the Cotswold Perfumery and our Chief Perfumer, John Stephen has over 50 years of experience as a creative perfumer, and is the ‘nose’ behind many fine fragrances in the niche market.

John is a full member of the SIPC (Société Internationale des Parfumers-Créateurs), the BSP (British Society of Perfumers) and of IFRA (International Fragrance Association). As a Chartered Chemist, John understands the technical side of perfumery too – an essential requirement in today’s increasingly complex world, where regulations form a major part of the work of a modern perfumer.

John is one of only six independent perfumers in the UK, and his fragrances are worn by perfume enthusiasts around the world – even Queen Elizabeth II.

It was an inspirational day thanks to John's teaching style and enthusiasm. It has inspired me to continue my interest in making liquid soap and possibly doing the second course at some stage. It was good to have a small number of people on the course to enable people to ask questions. Thank you to John and the team for a wonderful day.

Annabelle S

I heard about the course from my dad. I enjoyed all of it – the theory and the practical part, particularly testing and making the perfume. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, learnt lots and had fun. Lunch was very good, too!

Jack

I was fascinated by everything that we were taught and by doing the practical parts. I could have listened to John for such a long time. He had so much knowledge to share.

Lianne

The knowledge transfer from John was outstanding, easy to digest and so wide-ranging covering so many aspects of creating a perfume and beyond (multidisciplinary), an absolute masterclass and so enjoyable!

Alison

John is a fantastic and engaging teacher, being with students that are also passionate and truly want to be there also adds to the experience!

Attendee July 2021

Extremely helpful. A must for everyone in fragrance industry

Nasir A

A well organised, enjoyable day. Excellent presentation, support, humour and encouragement from John. His extensive knowledge and passion for the subject was evident throughout. Thank you.

Chris

Fantastic! So much more than I expected. Thank you

C Wright

It was an inspirational day, thanks to John's teaching style and enthusiasm. It has inspired me to continue my interest in making liquid soap and to attend the second course. Thank you to John and the team for a wonderful day.

Annabelle

John was extremely knowledgeable and a fun teacher! Making the perfume was great and the theory aspects were very interesting.

Samantha

The entire day was totally enjoyable. The group was a good mix, and John is a joy. I wouldn’t change anything – it was all marvellous. Thank you for a lovely, well put together day. Even the lunch was tremendous.

Julie

It's great to to be inspired and informed by an obvious expert in their field. It generates a buzz of enthusiasm in the room.

Attendee September 2021

I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the course. It was really interesting, informative and enjoyable. John’s presentation style is friendly, entertaining and helpful. Just perfect

Jools

Fantastic; so much more than I expected. Thank you :)

Clea W

I heard about the course when I visited the Cotswold Perfumery shop in Bourton-on-the-Water. It was excellent. John’s enthusiasm for his subject made the course. If only he had been my chemistry teacher, I might have learnt something at school!

Jane

The whole day was so informative on so many levels – it was wonderful. I would definitely recommend the course. Thank you for a really super day!

Libby

Fantastic/informative day. Would definitely do 2nd course

H Mitchell

Interesting day, would definitely recommend this to my friends

Rosemary D

Best part of the course was how John delivered the material and executed and organised the course. Best bespoke perfumery course the UK has to offer.

Stefanie

illustrations

ABOUT THE COTSWOLD PERFUMERY

Established in 1966, the Cotswold Perfumery specialises in creating fine fragrances for the niche market.

It’s something we’ve been doing for over 50 years.

We sell a range of unique fragrances from our shop in the beautiful Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, and from our online store on our main website.

Visit our main website

OUR ACCOMMODATION

Combine your course with a stay in one of our luxury 5 star self-catering apartments.

If you’re visiting Bourton-on-the-Water, why not stay in one of our luxury, five-star, self-catering apartments at the Cotswold Perfumery. Or try a luxury stay in nearby Cheltenham.

Visit our accommodation website