Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have shown considerable potential for use in a wide range of applications in sectors as diverse as aerospace, defence, energy and transport. Their significantly improved toughness compared to monolithic ceramics offers opportunities to take full advantage of the benefits offered by advanced ceramics, including low mass, high strengths and hardness, chemical inertness and high thermal resistance without having to suffer their major disadvantage of being brittle and hence susceptible to catastrophic failure. There are several different types of CMC, including those based on oxide, silicon carbide and carbon fibres with a diverse range of different ceramic matrices. This talk will examine a number of unusual processing routes, including the use of phosphate-based matrices for oxide composites, prepreg-based approaches more commonly found with polymer matrix composites, the use of polymer-derived ceramics and microwave- or RF-enhanced chemical vapour infiltration, as well as the additive manufacturing of CMCs. The advantages and disadvantages of each route will be discussed.