What you’ll do
1
When you arrive
On arrival, you’ll be signed in and introduced to the smith who will talk through the course step-by-step and help you select which design you would like to make. We’ll discuss what you want to achieve for the day before providing you with protective equipment and a safety briefing.
2
Firing up the forge
The forge will have been lit and heating up before you arrive, so it’s ready to go! You will get an introduction on how to control and maintain the fire of the forge to a forging heat.
3
Selecting what to forge
Forging isn’t as easy as it may look! Our expert team will work with you and your partner to help you decide what to make during the session, by showing you examples of what can be achieved in the time. You’ll be given the flexibility to stamp your own design on your piece, making it totally unique to you both! You can see the list of possible options on our ‘before your visit’ guide!
4
Learn a range of techniques together
Forging a taper with a good old-fashioned hammer and anvil.
Drawing out metal to a point, often used in handles, pokers, candle sticks and the Viking knife.
Rounding, taking square steel and forging the corners in.
Scrolling, which is a beautiful example of how fine and delicate blacksmithing can be. Rolling the end of a piece of steel, that is usually tapered for a decorative finish. This technique is versatile and is employed on a wide range of items such as the snail, hanging basket bracket and Viking knife!
Twisting, another decorative technique to give your work flair. This involves heating the steel and twisting it around.
Texturing, which is used to refine your work and make it really stand out. You will use texturing tools to planish the surface of your work to make it truly unique. This is often used on the candle sticks and boot scraper.
5
Photo Time
It’s great fun working alongside one another and crafting something unique! Once the forging is complete, it’s time to pose for those all-important photos at our wooden stage!
GUIDELINES FOR TAKING PART
Our experience day packages are physically demanding and have the potential for minor injury. Therefore, please seek advice from your doctor or our booking team if you’re unsure.
Be sure to dress accordingly, remembering that in the colder months it can get pretty chilly inside the workshop, despite the fires! Please wear long trousers and suitable footwear.
Make sure you follow the guidance on our website and what’s sent to you ahead of the event. And always listen to the instructions of our expert team on the day.
AVAILABILITY
The Forge is open all year round, seven days a week. Our online booking system will show you the availability in real time. Please be aware that weekends should be booked well in advance!
HOW BOOKING WORKS
Our online booking system is easy to use and allows you to choose a time and date that suits you. Once confirmed, you will receive an email with all the details you need, as well as an important form to complete.
HOW PRICING WORKS
The price of this booking covers two people making one unique item of your choice during a five-hour session.
We welcome groups of friends to come and take part together – simply adjust the number of people when making your booking.
If you’re buying a voucher, the voucher will entitle the recipients to a five-hour session making one unique item of their choice.
Reviews
We’ll definitely be back!
Thank you for such an amazing experience with the academy that will stay with us forever. We weren’t really sure what to expect at first but Ben really put us at ease. You can really tell that this is such a passion for all of the tutors, it just shines through. The fact that you let us find our stride and just go for it gave us such confidence and someone was always on hand for support. We’re really proud of what we achieved together, and our ‘cabbage’ flower will be having pride of place in our home.
Sam you star!
This time we came back for my partner to make a hammer. Fab Health and Safety briefing from Joe to start, who balanced humour and essential info nicely. The level of craftsmanship that Sam demonstrated was an actual marvel. My partner was in awe of the skills on show and the patience taken to actually teach him and share the knowledge. At no point did he take over and the piece was very definitely made by my partner however, he guided and encouraged beautifully. To say we enjoyed it would be an understatement.
We had so much fun!
My girlfriend got us an afternoon session here and it was fantastic. The instructors were so helpful and patient. Way more people than planned showed up for the slot we were on and they were amazing at fitting us all in. I loved having a go at learning a new skill and getting to take something home with me at the end
Great day on our couples experience day!
I made a rose and my husband made a dragonfly. We were under the watchful eye and guidance of Luke who was great, as were the rest of the team! Brilliant experience, hard work but so worth it! We are really pleased with our handiwork and had such fun making them! Highly recommend
Explore Our Other Experiences
Will has worked as a Blacksmith for many years and enjoys both teaching our workshops as well as forging beautiful pieces for our showroom. Will has worked as a Blacksmith for many years and enjoys both teaching our workshops as well as forging beautiful pieces for our showroom.
Ianto has been blacksmithing for 4 years. He first got the idea of being a blacksmith after watching Lord of the Rings. He wished he could learn to shape metal […] Ianto has been blacksmithing for 4 years. He first got the idea of being a blacksmith after watching Lord of the Rings. He wished he could learn to shape metal into different forms and stunning works of art that can be seen throughout the movies. When he finished high school he knew he wanted to go into a profession that could lead him to make movie props. Ianto went to Holme Lacy College and studied traditional blacksmithing, from there he left and found his way to Oldfield Forge. During his time at Oldfield, he has picked up the nickname Ianto Tanto, for the fact he enjoys teaching the Tanto’s and using the traditional Japanese smithing techniques.
Ethan came to Oldfield Forge on a hammer course and instantly fell in love with the craft. He originally trained in carpentry and is the youngest blacksmith on the team. […] Ethan came to Oldfield Forge on a hammer course and instantly fell in love with the craft. He originally trained in carpentry and is the youngest blacksmith on the team. Ethan enjoys all aspects of the trade and wouldn’t consider going back. His favorite course to teach is the knife-making experience.
Aaron started by dabbling in farriery after getting bored at his old desk job and found out that he was pretty good at it. Even years later he doesn’t regret […] Aaron started by dabbling in farriery after getting bored at his old desk job and found out that he was pretty good at it. Even years later he doesn’t regret a thing. His favorite part about the job is being able to express himself artistically and smashing hot steel.