Nature Makers Named One of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses for 2026

We have some rather wonderful news to share… Nature Makers has been named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses for 2026!

We’re incredibly proud to have been selected as part of this year’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses campaign, run by Small Business Saturday UK.

For me, this recognition feels particularly special because Nature Makers was built from a very simple idea: that spending time in nature, being creative and connecting with other people can make a genuine difference to our wellbeing.

What began in 2019 as a single preschool class has grown into a UK-wide franchise network delivering mindful art, craft and play for natural wellbeing to children, families and communities.

Today, our Nature Makers Wellbeing Practitioners team deliver everything from children's classes and family events to school programmes, festivals, community projects, adult wellbeing workshops and care home activities.

And what makes me most proud is that this isn't just happening through one business.

It is happening through a growing network of independent Nature Makers franchisees, each building their own local business while bringing our shared mission to their communities.

Why This Recognition Means So Much

Sometimes, when you're deep in the day-to-day of running a small business, it's difficult to step back and see the bigger picture.

There are always the next emails, the next event to organise, the next challenge to solve and the next idea to develop!

So being recognised as one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses has given me a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on just how far Nature Makers has come.

It is recognition not only for me, but for our entire franchise team and everyone who has helped Nature Makers become what it is today.

As I said when the announcement was made:

“Sometimes, when you are deep in the day-to-day of running a small business, it's hard to see the larger impact we have on our communities. This recognition means everything to me and our Nature Makers Franchise team. It will spur us on and give us greater opportunities to change even more people's lives and wellbeing through nature art, craft and play!”

And that really is what this recognition represents for me.

More people connecting with nature. More people experiencing the joy of creativity. More communities coming together and more opportunities to support wellbeing through something wonderfully simple: making and playing outdoors.

From One Small Business to a UK-Wide Movement

When I started Nature Makers, I couldn't have predicted where it would lead.

I wanted to create meaningful experiences that brought people closer to nature and to one another and as more families discovered our sessions, the potential became clear.

Nature Makers could be bigger than one person.

Franchising has allowed us to create a network of passionate business owners who can take the model into their own communities while benefiting from the systems, training, brand and support we've developed.

That means Nature Makers can reach people in places I could never reach alone and that's one of the things I love most about the franchise model.

The impact grows because the people delivering it are also building something of their own.

What's Next for Nature Makers?

We're certainly not slowing down!

We're continuing to develop Nature Makers as a whole-life natural wellbeing business, expanding the opportunities available to our franchise network and looking at new ways to bring nature connection, creativity and wellbeing to more people.

And we're taking Nature Makers international, with plans to make our training and licensing model available beyond the UK.

So while being named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses is a wonderful moment to celebrate, for us it also feels like a springboard for what's next.

Supporting Small Businesses

Small Business Saturday is about celebrating the incredible contribution that small businesses make to our communities and the UK economy.

And as a small business owner myself, I know that behind every small business is a person, a family, a team and a huge amount of hard work.

Being selected alongside businesses from across the UK is therefore something we're incredibly grateful for.

The Nation’s Favourite Businesses campaign will showcase this year's selected businesses as part of the countdown to Small Business Saturday on 5 December 2026.

A Big Thank You!

To every family who has attended a Nature Makers session.

Every school, National Trust property, care home, festival and community organisation that has welcomed us.

Every franchisee who has taken our model into their local area.

And everyone who has believed in what we're trying to create.

Thank you.

Nature Makers started with a simple belief that nature, creativity and connection can help people feel better.

Being named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses tells us that this idea is resonating.

And we're only just getting started.

Here's to bringing nature art, craft, play and wellbeing to even more people across the UK and beyond.

Faye - Director of Nature Makers Ltd.

Useful links:

Find your local classes here.

Find information about joining our growing UK Franchise team here.

Find information about our International Training opportunities here.