In-person course
in READING Maker & location details

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Garden Sculpture Course

Description

This one of a kind blacksmithing course is for those with a creative spark who wish to try their hand at making metal ornaments and sculptures for the garden. An in-depth focused day course will give you a true taste of metal sculpting with expert help and advice, teaching you a variety of skills to bring steel to life! Hosted by Bill's Workshop in Partnership with Pathhill Outdoors, this course will be located at Pathhill Woodland Forge in South Oxfordshire. Parking is easily available onsite with hot drinks and snacks provided throughout the day but please bring your own lunch and a refillable water bottle. This course with a small number of participants (2) allows for in-depth personal instruction with our expert smith over the 8-hour day.

What's included in the price?

The Day Overview: Arrive for a 9:30 start at Pathhill Outdoors, after a hot drink and getting to know the team and woodland workshop the forges will be lit and blacksmithing will commence! Throughout the day you will work on metal flowers and GIANT steel mushrooms! Being able to walk away with at least one of each to adorn your garden! In the latter half of the day, you will try your hands at welding to bring your hand forged elements together and finalise your sculptures. The day will come to a close at 5:30 when your sculptures are finished and ready to take home! -You will be emailed further documentation and information upon purchase, to fill out and return. -Private bookings for up to 4 people are available for this course, Please get in touch to arrange. -Private Blacksmithing courses are welcomed too, with a customisable agender for the day! -All safety equipment provided -Over 18s only -For this course you do need to be reasonably fit and healthy as it is hot and hard work throughout the day on your feet. -If you have any concerns or a disability please get in contact to discuss what arrangements can be made to make the course more accessible for you -Please wear full length trousers (an old pair of jeans are ideal), clothes you don’t mind getting dirty as well as old trainers or boots - no open toed shoes, flip flops, sliders.

Duration

1 day

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Bill's Workshop

with Craft Courses since 2023

Message the tutor

Bill's Workshop is a bespoke blacksmithing and woodwork company dedicated to providing a unique outlook on the creation of products. After a apprenticeship in blacksmithing and now with years of experience we have started offing courses to ignite the creativity in others and share our skills to bring the unique craft to others. All our courses take place at Pathhill Outdoors which has been a huge part of my life as I am also a bushcraft and outdoor instructor. This fantastic venue offers 'The Woodland Forge' an off grid traditional blacksmiths workshop set in stunning woodland. A wonderful place to escape and spend a day learning new skills.

Suitable for

Adults
Mother's Day
Romantic
UK Holiday
Christmas
Fairs, festivals & exhibitions
Parking provided
Easter
Suitable for beginners
Father's Day

What does this mean?

Message the tutor

Venue

The Bull Pen, Path Hill, Goring Heath, READING, Berkshire, RG8 7RE

Price:

£250.00

Duration:

1 day

Time:

09:00 - 18:00

The course doesn't currently have live dates

Message the tutor

Reviews

All maker's reviews

10 Mar 24'

Sarah and David reviewed: Garden Sculpture Course

"An absolutely awesome day! Billy is a fantastic teacher - patient, encouraging and very knowledgeable - and the day whizzed by. We blacksmithed in the morning making the separate elements of our plant support, poppy and trio of mushrooms and welded in the afternoon. We are so proud of what we made, and can't wait to come back! Thank you, Billy!"

Bill's Workshop responded:

"Hi Sarah, it was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with you and David, you both really excelled at the activity's and would be great to have you back in the forge in future! Take care, -Billy"

6 Nov 23'

Carolyn reviewed: Garden Sculpture Course

"I had the most amazing day with Bill on Saturday. Great outdoors, away from traffic and phones. I made a Poppy and some mushroom sculptures for the garden. Bill was very patient and helpful. Definitely look out for more courses to go on."

Bill's Workshop responded:

"Hey Carolyn! I'm glad you had an enjoyable day in the forge and workshop, it was a pleasure instructing you. Do stay in touch and I will keep you updated with new courses that I put together! Many thanks Billy "

16 Oct 23'

Lili Giacobino reviewed: Garden Sculpture Course

"I had such a lovely time during this one day blacksmith/ garden sculpture workshop. Billy is very friendly and knowledgeable. The settings are absolutely gorgeous as you are in the middle of the woodland and it is very peaceful. The workshop was fun, accessible and I have learned plenty of things. Really proud of what I have sculpted and was able to bring home after this class. Definitely recommend."

Bill's Workshop responded:

"Thank you Lili! Was an utter pleasure to teach you blacksmithing, I'm really glad to hear you're proud of your giant mushrooms and poppy! Hope to see you on another course again one day! All the best -Billy "

4 Oct 23'

Anthony Mcl reviewed: Garden Sculpture Course

"I recently had the pleasure of taking my other half to this blacksmith course, and I can confidently say that it was a truly outstanding experience for us both. I had the privilege of learning from Billy, whose expertise and friendly demeanour made this course an absolute delight. There was not an exact course available for us, but a simple message to Billy about what we wanted to do and get out of the day and he was more than happy to accommodate what we wanted with a custom day. Billy's guidance and encouragement throughout the course were exceptional. His passion for blacksmithing was evident in every step of the process, and he went above and beyond to ensure that me and my partner felt not only welcome but also inspired. His patience and willingness to answer questions and provide hands-on guidance were invaluable. Billy made sure that we both felt comfortable and capable, it felt like we had been doing this for years and just enjoying a laugh with friends while forging our first ever items, a fire pit stoker, a fire pit rake and a ‘blacksmiths knife’. The location of the course was equally impressive. Nestled in a forest, the woodland forge really lived up to its name and provided the perfect backdrop for our blacksmithing adventure. The peaceful ambiance and picturesque surroundings added an extra layer of charm to the entire experience. It was a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city where I live and work, and it allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the art of blacksmithing. I wholeheartedly recommend this, or any other course Billy has up when you read this. Thanks to the exceptional instruction and warmth of Billy and the combination of his expertise and the idyllic location made for a five-star experience that I won’t ever forget. Whether you're a novice or an experienced blacksmith, this course is an absolute must-try. "