Introduction to Blacksmithing: Forge Your Own Garden Tools
20th June and 17th July. Spend a day learning key blacksmithing skills and forging your own set of garden tools.
- Booking essential
After that all important chat about safety you'll get straight to work, learning key blacksmithing techniques and then putting them into practice. You'll learn the fundamentals of Blacksmithing, as well as making a range of useful garden tools including trowels, hand rakes and hand hoes and dibbers.
This course is suitable for beginners, no prior blacksmithing experience is needed. For those who already have experience with blacksmithing we run an intermediate course - see our events listings for details.
Your tutor is David Gregory, an experienced master blacksmith whose work includes original commissions and a wide range of restoration projects. David also occasionally takes commissions for film and television productions. This course is limited to six participants to allow everyone plenty of time with the course tutor.
This course will run on the 20th June and 17th of July. There will be a break for lunch and a mess room to eat lunch in, alternatively there is an on-site café. Tea and coffee provided.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult | £245.00 |
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Young person (under 25) | £185.00 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call 0344 249 1895
- Suitability
Suitable for those 14 and over. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
- Meeting point
The Heritage and Rural Skills Centre is located in Coleshill village. Follow signs for the Coleshill Estate Office for the car park and look out for signs directing you to the forge.
- What to bring and wear
All tools and materials included. Aprons and safety glasses are all supplied. Please wear work clothes such as jeans, cotton sweatshirts and sturdy footwear - please do not wear fleeces or flip flops.
- Accessibility
Toilets on site, including accessible toilet. Level access into the teaching space. Some uneven surfaces such as cobbles due to the historic nature of the building. Please contact us if you require an accessible parking space or if you would like to have an informal chat about access before you book. Please bear in mind that this activity requires upper body movements.
- Other
Mess room available for course participants to use during breaks. Drinking water and facilities for making tea and coffee available. Refreshments/lunches available to purchase from on-site café.
Upcoming events
Sold Out: Knife making
Sorry, this event is now sold out. 19 June: learn how to forge a blade and make a simple ‘Viking’ style knife.
Guided Tours: Secrets of Coleshill
Monthly from March to October: find out more about some of the lesser-known chapters of the estate’s history and look behind the scenes of the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre.
Scything Course
26th June. This course is aimed at people who are new to scythe mowing who either want to learn about mowing or intend to purchase an Austrian scythe.
Leatherwork: Make a Coin Purse and a Belt
27 June and 5 Sept: explore the art of leathermaking with an introductory workshop, using your new skills to make a coin purse and a belt.