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 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! You can see the list of possible options on our ‘before your visit’ guide!
4
Learn a range of techniques
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 one person making one unique item of your choosing during a three-hour session. Working together on a piece is recommended for younger children.
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 recipient to a three-hour ‘Just for Fun’ session.
Reviews
What a great experience!
It was a present for our 60th birthday’s. It was our first time in a forge but with help and guidance, we made a few fabulous articles! As l said great experience!
I had the time of my life!
I booked myself in for a “Just for Fun” day and “Forging a Knife” the next day. It was purely, simply brilliant. The team was exceptional, all of them: Ben, Theo, Joe, Bobby, Aaron, and last but not least Henry, are clearly passionate about their job. They’re happy to help and answer any questions and are really working as a team. They show you how it works and explains the process. There is a great variety of objects you can choose to make – loved it and will recommend it to any and all.
Honestly a day I will never forget
It’s an experience that I will cherish forever. Worth every single penny and the guys that work there are some of the nicest, most helpful most genuine people I have ever met!
Fabulous Day
Great tuition by real enthusiasts. Highly recommended.
Explore Our Other Experiences
Joe is our Forge Manager. He has seen the business grow from a small workshop to what you see today! He has a degree in product design, but his passion […] Joe is our Forge Manager. He has seen the business grow from a small workshop to what you see today! He has a degree in product design, but his passion has always been history. Joe wanted to take the love of making things and his passion for history and smack them together… literally!
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.
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.