BLACKSMITH COURSES
Come along to the forge and enjoy being a blacksmith for the day!
No experience is necessary, courses are suitable for all.
Please take a look at the calendar below for availability – if you can’t see what you want, do please ask.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are available for all courses – they are valid for six months from the date of purchase. Please email for details on how to pay (I will send you a link with all the information required). On receipt of funds I will forward an e-voucher or send a hard copy in the post if you prefer.
On-line booking system
Please use the calendar below, click on your chosen date (and please indicate using the drop-down menu if you are booking for one or two or for a full or half-day option).
Other days are available – please just ask
We run courses all the time to suit you – it can be a half-day or a full-day experience, taken during the week or weekend. The calendar is provided as a guideline for dates, but is not a definitive list of availability – please contact us to discuss your preferred option!
There are two forges and two anvils, so you have your own space and equipment for the course, but if you are willing to share, you can add additional people to your party. See Group Rates below.
What:
A half day (9.30am to 1pm) or day-long blacksmithing experience (9.30am – 5pm) with weekday or weekend options available
Where:
at Standalone Farm Forge run by Jo Fry
When:
all year round (if the dates are not showing on the calendar, please just ask)
Who:
Designed for anyone interested in having a go, that might be you or it might be a present for a friend, relative, special occasion, work colleague or as a way of saying thank you.
Course involves…
A hands-on experience where you will learn some blacksmithing techniques using traditional methods and come away with an item you have made from scratch with your own hands. Jo Fry, your teacher, has many years of experience to share with participants and is keen to share his love of working with metal.
Jo will firstly take you through some blacksmithing basics, making an item to his instruction (such as a toasting fork). On a full-day course, participants can go on to choose further items to make, and the day will cover the relevant techniques required to make your chosen product (please note: not all techniques listed below will be covered in the day’s course). Jo will guide you on ideas for other items, once he has had the chance to assess your skills. The day may involve:
- Health and safety
- Forge management
- Drawing down technique
- Twisting technique
- Scroll work
- Ribbon ends
- Fish tail finish
- Snub finish
- Forge welding
- Tong making
- Hand-made nails/bolts
What to bring?
- Packed lunch or eat at the farm café (April to October only)
- Old, comfortable and loose fitting clothing
- Sensible, sturdy and comfortable shoes. No open topped shoes please.
What we provide?
- Safety equipment provided includes goggles, ear defenders, apron and gloves. You will also be given a health and safety talk to help you work safely and minimize the risks associated with a forge. You will receive a personal risk assessment and be asked to sign to confirm your understanding of this procedure.
- Lots of tuition, expertise and guidance
- Tea/Coffee
Costs:
Week Day Rates:
- One day course – £190 per person (or book both places for a discounted £350 for two people)
- A half day course – £230 for two people (please note that we are unable to accept bookings for one person on a half day course)
Weekend Rates:
- One day course – £200 per person (or book both places for a discounted £385 for two people)
- Half day course – £250 for two people (please note that we are unable to accept bookings for one person on a half day course)
- Only two attendees per course guarantees lots of one-to-one tuition
- Choose items you wish to make
- Bespoke options available – please contact us for further information
- Come with a friend or come on your own and meet someone new, it’s up to you
- Gift vouchers available
- Does your partner wish to take part in an activity whilst you are forging metal? (My wife Dawn runs chocolate workshops in Hitchin so you can both enjoy a new experience – see details here).
How to Book
Booking is simple – just click on your preferred date (or contact us with alternative dates) and send us your booking request.
On confirmation of your place (via email), we will ask you to forward a deposit payment of £50 per person to secure your booking – the remainder will become due just prior to attendance of your course.
