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2 Day Introduction to Letter Cutting in Stone

28-29 June: explore the various processes of letter cutting in stone as you create your own small plaque in this weekend course.

  • Booking essential

Discover the timeless art of traditional letter carving in this hands-on, full weekend course is designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Guided by an expert craftsperson with over 20 years' experience, you’ll learn the fundamentals of drawing, spacing, and carving classic letterforms into stone using chisels and mallets. With a focus on precision, patience, and historical techniques, this course blends artistry with craftsmanship to help you create enduring inscriptions.

There will be talks within the course to understand a little more about the traditions of the craft, and the opportunity to create your own small plaque. Participants are asked to come prepared with a word they would like to cut.

This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in letter cutting, either as an introduction to the craft or those wishing to extend their skills and understanding further.

Your tutor is Tom Ball, an award-winning master carver working in wood and stone from his workshop at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre. Since 2008, Tom has been working freelance in restoration, and in 2020 Tom returned to City and Guilds of London Arts School to work as a tutor.

Our class sizes are small, so you'll have a chance to engage with the tutor while you work.

All materials and tools needed for the course will be provided. This course takes place over two days, on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June, 9am-5pm daily. There will be a short break for lunch each day and tea/coffee is provided.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

Ticket typeTicket category
Adult £345.00
Concession Young person (under 25)£260.00

The basics

Booking details

Call 0344 249 1895

Suitability

Suitable for those 18 and over

Meeting point

The Orton Studio at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre in Coleshill village. Follow signs for the Coleshill Estate Office from the car park.

What to bring and wear

All tools and materials included. Wear practical clothes and shoes suitable for crafting. Please bring your own refreshments (or the means to purchase these from the on-site café).

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 would like to have an informal chat about access before you book.

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. Accommodation not included.

Contact info

Buscot & Coleshill Estate

Upcoming events

Event

Oxfordshire Artweeks at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre 

14-18 May, 11am-5pm: a range of craftspeople will be exhibiting traditional crafts with a modern twist.

Event summary

on
16 May to 18 May 2025
at
11:00 to 17:00
+ 2 other dates or times
Event

Guided Tours: Secrets of Coleshill 

17 April to 11 October, 1pm and 2.30pm Thursdays and Saturdays: 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.

Event summary

on
17 May to 11 Oct 2025
at
13:00 to 14:30
+ 85 other dates or times
Event

The Art of Traditional Faux Marbling 

24-25 May: learn how to create professional-looking traditional faux marble paint techniques in this intensive, accredited weekend course.

Event summary

on
24 May 2025
at
09:30 to 16:00
Event

Make a Silver Ring in a Day with the Bishopsland Educational Trust 

31 May: explore the insightful process of making a silver ring which you will design, make and take home.

Event summary

on
31 May 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00