Best intimacy workshops in London: classes & experiences to try

Intimacy can mean many things, and for some, it means being able to ask for what you want, feeling comfortable receiving affection, or making time to explore something new with a partner outside of sex. You might be curious about sensual touch, want to communicate more openly, or want a different way to connect with people.

In this article, we explore London’s intimacy workshops, from platonic cuddling and guided conversation to private tantra experiences and beginner shibari classes.

This guide brings together options for different interests and comfort levels, with details on what each involves and who it might suit. The best workshop for you will depend on what you want to explore, whether you’re attending alone or with someone, and how you feel about touch in a group setting.

Check individual listings for current dates, availability and booking terms.

North London

For non-sexual closeness: Cuddle Workshop

If you’re drawn to affection and physical closeness, England’s longest-running cuddle event, Cuddle Workshop offers an introduction to non-sexual touch through platonic cuddles. Its four-hour sessions include icebreakers, communication exercises, boundary practice and opportunities for cuddling in small groups.

You don’t need to arrive with someone you know or consider yourself particularly tactile. The organisers make clear that you choose whether, when and how to participate, including declining an invitation, changing your mind or taking time to yourself.

Who for: Beginners and people interested in platonic touch; you can attend on your own.

Good if: You want more affection in your life and a guided space to practise asking, accepting and saying no.

Where: The Rooms Above, 9 West Heath Yard, NW6 1TB.

South London

For connection through rope: Anatomie Studio

For those curious about bringing kink into their exploration of intimacy, Anatomie Studio offers an introduction to shibari, or Japanese rope bondage. Based in a railway arch in Peckham, the studio teaches rope with an emphasis on communication, partnership and consent.

Its Thursday beginner sessions introduce foundational techniques, while the wider programme includes courses and workshops covering rope handling, body movement, anatomy and communication. You can attend solo or with a friend. The studio’s approach treats tying as something two people create together. Alongside learning practical skills, participants are encouraged to pay attention to each other and communicate throughout the experience.

Who for: Adults curious about rope, including beginners attending alone or with someone.

Good if: You’d like to explore intimacy through a creative, physical practice with a kink element.

Where: Arch 113 / Unit 17, Station Passage, Peckham, SE15 2JR.

East London

For queer intimacy and sensual exploration: House of Circe

House of Circe offers queer-led workshops exploring the body, sensuality, relationships and consent. Founded by somatic educator and facilitator Alicia, it describes its approach as trauma-informed, with an emphasis on body positivity, respectful communication and community.

Its programme offers several ways into intimacy. Embodied Consent explores boundaries, desire and conscious touch, while Radical Intimacy questions conventional expectations around gender and relationships. For those curious about kink, Getting Kinky introduces BDSM, power and play.

The Qu’intimacy Lounge offers a space for connection and sensual exploration, with a listed edition focusing on giving and receiving touch.

The range may appeal if you want to explore pleasure alongside questions about identity, relationships and how you connect with others.

Who for: Primarily queer participants; individual events specify who is welcome.

Good if: You’re looking for a queer-centred approach to intimacy, with opportunities to explore boundaries, touch or kink.

Where: London; check individual listings for venues.

London – Locations vary

For an immersive sensual experience: The Liquid Love Experience

Warm olive oil, guided touch, and shared movement are at the centre of The Liquid Love Experience, a group event that explores sensuality and human connection.

The session begins fully clothed, with introductions and a discussion of consent, boundaries, and communication during the experience. Guided breathing follows before participants explore the sensation of oil and contact. Nudity and touch are optional, and you can experience the session individually, interact only with your companion or connect with other consenting participants.

Guests must attend with a trusted companion, such as a friend or partner.

Who for: Adults aged 18+, of all genders and sexual orientations, attending with a trusted companion.

Good if: You’re curious about group sensuality and touch, and comfortable being in a clothing-optional environment.

Where: Event space may vary.

How to choose an intimacy workshop

Start with what interests you, your comfort levels, and what you want to gain from the experience. Perhaps you want to feel more comfortable asking for affection, understand your boundaries, or share a new experience with a partner or stranger.

You don’t need an ambitious goal or any goal at all. Simply being curious to try something new, facilitated by a professional in a safe and supportive environment, is enough to explore.

Read the format carefully, too. A communication workshop, a cuddle event and a rope class involve different kinds of participation. Before booking, check:

• Who can attend: Whether the event welcomes solo participants, requires a partner or serves a particular community.
• What participation involves: Whether it includes touch, nudity, partner rotation, or any experience requirement.
• How choice is supported: Whether you can observe, adapt exercises, take breaks or decline an activity.
• The practical details: Accessibility, ticket price, what to bring and cancellation terms.

You can also contact the facilitator with questions. Their response can help you decide whether their approach and workshop or experience will suit you.

Related reading

How to reignite the spark again as a couple

Book a couples intimacy session on Sensuali

Sex therapy retreats for couples: what to expect and how to choose