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Blacksmith Experience Day Cumbria

Brampton, near Carlisle
REF: BLKCM1
Rated Based On 3 Reviews

• Blacksmithing days in Brampton near Carlisle
• Workshops in a purpose-built teaching forge
• Learn to forge using traditional techniques & tools
• Take your hand-made forged item home with you

What's Included

• Introduction to the craft of the blacksmith
• Design and create your own unique item, such as a poker, decorative item, bottle opener, hand tool etc
• Learn key blacksmithing and forge techniques such as lighting and maintaining the fire, tapering, bending, twisting, upsetting and riveting
• Refreshments are included
• A break for lunch (lunch not provided)
• You will take home a finished article, made yourself using traditional blacksmithing techniques
• Please allow 8 hours for this experience
• Days generally start at 09.30 and finish around 17:30
• You will form part of a small group of up to 4 participants

What Can I Expect

Get forging on a blacksmith experience day in Cumbria! Join Richard at his forge in the Cumbrian countryside to learn all about the work of a blacksmith. During the course of this full day, you'll fabricate your very own forged item to take home with you.

This is traditional artisan work at its best, working metal the same way as it has been done for thousands of years. Richard is passionate about blacksmithing and has been making a living out of metal work since 2009. Now he is taking his skills and passing them on to students who come to his purpose-built training forge.

Hidden away amongst the fields and farmland around Brampton (which is just north east of Carlisle) you'll find Richard working away in his forge. And although it's purpose-built, the machines and tools are very much traditional. The centre-piece is the double hearth coke-fire forge, with a propane gas furnace and a classic Massey 2Cwt power hammer (for heavy forging work). There are also lots of handmade blacksmith tools - which Richard has made himself!

Everything you need to forge metal is here at Middle Row Forge. The big decision for you on the day is to decide what sort of project you'd like to undertake. Richard sets aside a number of options for novice blacksmiths, all of which are very much achievable in a day. It could be something practical like a hand tool, a fire poker, a bottle opener or something purely artistic.

Once you've picked what you fancy making, you'll work with Richard in his teaching forge to heat, shape and manipulate the metal to your chosen form. The workshop is very much hands-on, so expect to be getting your sleeves rolled up and properly stuck in as you taper, bend, twist and rivet the hot metal.

By the end of your blacksmith experience day in Cumbria you'll be able to proudly show off your very own hand-crafted piece of ironwork to your friends and family. A lovely day in a lovely place with a blacksmith who's infectiously enthusiastic about his ironwork.

When Is It Available

  • Experiences generally operate on selected Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year
  • Occasional Saturday dates may be available upon request
  • Dates are subject to availability

Location

• Brampton, Cumbria

Suitable For

• Minimum age 18
• A good, general level of fitness is required
• If you have any health or mobility conditions that may impede your ability to participate please advise this at the time of booking

Spectators

• Not suitable for spectators

Anything Else

  • Experiences generally operate with a minimum of 2-3 participants.  In the unlikely event minimum numbers are not reached your date may be re-scheduled

General Forge Health & Safety

  • Participants should wear old, sensible clothing (non synthetic), long trousers and sturdy leather boots or shoes
  • The forge can be cold so wearing layers is ideal
  • Long hair must be tied back
  • Safety glasses (provided) must be worn at all times inside the workshop
fire
Blacksmith Experience Day Cumbria Get this Experience

Reviews

4 out of 5 stars

Average Rating: 4
Total Reviews: 3

Find out what other customers think of the experience

 

Reviews

  based on 3 reviews

Rating: 4 stars
Kenny
Had a great day with very skilled craftsman, looking forward to going back.
Rating: 4 stars
Andrew robso
A very good introduction to blacksmithing at the forge. Richard was a very good teacher and our exp...
Rating: 4 stars
Clare
Fabulous day, really hands on, learnt a lot. Hard work and dirty though, not for the faint hearted....