Ref: SSS39914
Immerse yourself in the ancient art of blacksmithing on this six-day Summer School course led by experienced blacksmith Joe Tyler. Working with fire and steel, you’ll explore the fundamental skills of forging, forming, and joinery while developing your confidence and creativity in the forge.
The course begins with an introduction to essential techniques and tool use. Over the first two days, you’ll practice core methods and create a series of small items chosen from a selection of samples. This will help your tutor assess your skill level and tailor the following days to your individual interests and capabilities.
As the week progresses, you’ll plan and craft your own bespoke project—drawing inspiration from the myths and legends that influence so many fantasy stories. Whether you choose to forge a freestanding sculpture, decorative wall piece, or a functional object with a fantastical twist, you’ll be guided through the process from concept to completion.
You’ll have the opportunity to experiment with traditional blacksmithing techniques, work with different forms and textures, and understand how heat and hammer transform metal into art. By the end of the course, you’ll take home several finished pieces and the skills to continue your journey in blacksmithing with confidence.
All tools, materials, and safety equipment are provided. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience who wish to expand their skills in a creative and supportive environment.
Summer School Highlights
The Summer School week is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:
All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during summer school due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.
All fuel costs and mild steel stocked by the College Leather aprons, welding gauntlets, goggles, welding helmets and ear defenders can be borrowed from the Forge.
You will need to wear clothing suitable for workshop use, together with steel toe capped boots. Please note that cotton or wool clothing is preferable to nylon or other synthetics. Shorts do not provide necessary protection. For your safety, it is mandatory to wear steel toe capped safety boots when undertaking a course in the Forge. You must provide your own footwear and bring it with you to wear on the course. If you fail to bring suitable footwear, you will not be able to take part in the course. Safety boots can be purchased from most tool hire shops and builders merchants, as well as online.
You must wear goggles (provided) and suitable protective clothing for this course. Leather aprons, welding gauntlets, goggles, welding helmets and ear defenders can be borrowed from the Forge, or you can bring them along if you have them. If, for example, you have particularly large or small hands, your own leather work gloves are likely to be a better fit.
Available from shop: General art materials
Please note: This course will be in the Forge, which is a ten-minute walk from the main house through the walled garden or can be accessed by car.
Please note that tutor supervision is always required when you are working in the Forge.
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during Summer School due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for your Summer School will be given to you on arrival.
Joe Tyler trained at the National School of Blacksmithing, Herefordshire. Joe’s interests lie in history, especially ancient crafts, and all types of metal work from historical and traditional to contemporary.
Joe carries out demonstrations and talks all year round in various locations across the UK on blacksmithing in the Saxon period as well as modern blacksmithing techniques.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Our Foundation Degree in Metalwork will enhance your employment prospects, give you the skills to set up as a self-employed craftsperson or allow you to continue to higher education. Encompassing both silversmithing and blacksmithing, you will learn practical skills, material properties, placing your work in a broader context and historic metalworking techniques. Find out more
