What you’ll do
over two days
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 are even able to design the ring to fit around existing wedding or engagement rings. 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
The Forging Process
We’ll start off by introducing you to the power hammer (a piece of equipment, not a staff member) and we’ll show you how to safely operate the machine. You will then heat up your billet, cleaning with brushes and coating with borax. Once the billet is up to temperature, you will begin the welding process. This is achieved by using a mix of heat and pressure from the power hammer to turn your multiple layers of steel into one. You can then choose to manipulate the pattern of your rings through twisting – you heat up the metal, clamp it in a vice and twist the steel bar.
4
Making the Ring
You will first be taught how to punch the hole into the ring, you will increase the size of the ring using a technique called drifting until the ring is to the correct size and ready for the next process.
5
Finishing & Polishing
When the ring is the correct size you will head to the grinding bay to use the belt grinders and dremel tools to size, clean and polish your rings.
6
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 two rings during two full-day sessions.
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 two full-day sessions making two rings.
RING PLATING
If you’d like to have your ring plated to give it an extra special finish, we can recommend BJS Company. They offer computer precision electroplating of both Yellow and Rose Hard Golds, Bright Silver, Rhodium, Bright Copper and Bright Nickel Plating.
Please contact BJS Company directly, and note that we cannot accept any liability or responsibility for services sourced outside of the Forge.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS
These rings are made from two different types of steel – 1095 and 15n20, which gives it contrast. 15n20 has a high nickel content so these rings are not suitable for anyone with a nickel allergy.
Sorry, we can’t take responsibility for allergic reactions to the rings you make with us.
Reviews
Terrific day at Oldfield Forge
Friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic staff who brilliantly guided us through the process of making our wedding rings. Hard work at times, but excellent fun. You can make daggers, swords, kitchen knives, axes, and other stuff too. Can’t recommend the place enough.
We had a brilliant day forging our own wedding rings
The team was so fantastic and everyone was so friendly and helpful. Ben in particular helped us to produce the rings we were imagining, but everyone was very approachable and had lots of tips and tricks. We are so pleased with the results, I highly recommend this experience!
We had a fantastic day here
Neither of us had ever done anything like this before and yet we have come away with beautiful matching rings which are all the more special because we made them for each other. Your staff are excellent teachers, blending humor and patience with just the right level of support and tuition to enable us to develop new skills and gain so much satisfaction from the different processes. We enjoyed this so much we are sending you our daughter and son-in-law to make a sword in the summer. Thank you again, especially Joe and Ben for making this such a memorable experience.
A really fun day and learned some new skills
Just got back from a fantastic day making wedding rings. Great location and facilities and superb knowledgeable staff…… loved it.
Explore Our Other Experiences
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.
Ben has been at Oldfield for many years. He was one of the first teachers and has seen the number of students increase greatly! Ben has been blacksmithing for over […] Ben has been at Oldfield for many years. He was one of the first teachers and has seen the number of students increase greatly! Ben has been blacksmithing for over 12 years and has an active role as our social media manager. Some of his hobbies include Norman era reenactment in which he became a world-famous (now dead) meme.
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.
Josh first discovered blacksmithing when he was on a trip to Dover Castle and saw a smith making arrowheads and fell in love with the craft. He did his initial […] Josh first discovered blacksmithing when he was on a trip to Dover Castle and saw a smith making arrowheads and fell in love with the craft. He did his initial training at Canterbury College and then his BA(HONS) in artist blacksmithing in Hereford. Josh comes from Deal in Kent and moved to Hereford and began teaching the craft at Oldfield Forge in the summer of 2022. His interests include Dungeons and Dragons and archery.