Ref: SWS43396
Immerse yourself in the ancient art of blacksmithing on this six-day Winter School course led by experienced blacksmith Joe Tyler.
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 item such as:
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.
For the further four days you will have the choice to stay modern or step into the historical realm
Modern projects
Here are some options:
Historical projects
You will work with historical records / Drawings supplied by Joe , to make Authentic piecesChoose from the following time periodsRoman/Iron Age/Saxon/VikingItems such as:
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 Historical pieces, Modern art or functional tools.
By the end of the course, you’ll take home several finished pieces and the skills to continue your journey if interested 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.
Winter School highlights:
The Winter 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 the Winter School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:
As evening events are planned as part of the Winter School week, the collective dinner is included in the course fee to enable all students, including non-residents, to participate in this.
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.
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.
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
