A W Artist Blacksmiths reviews

6 May 18'

Sarah reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I bought two places on the course for my husband for Christmas. The idea was to have a nice day out together doing something different and have some fun. Adrian and Andy were great tutors, provided demonstrations and guidance whilst working. We had a good laugh along the way and brought home a key ring and a dragon with three coat hooks each. Debbie was in charge of the catering and lunch and the supply of flapjack/cake were both delicious. We had a lovely day and will be back. Thank you!"

19 Apr 18'

Steve Dolby reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"My wife bought me the course for a retirement gift (probably to get me out from under her feet for a day) ...and what a day it turned out to be! I was made welcome by Adrian, Andy and Debbie and the fun began. Adrian demonstrated the items to be made and then it was in at the deep end with Adrian and Andy on hand to guide us through each part of the processes. Adrian is an excellent and patient instructor and although my makes were obviously not as good as his I was delighted with the items which I took home. Unfortunately I also took home some extra pounds too because although my wife as put me on a diet since I retired, Debbie.....the hostess with the mostest! ....plied us with the most amazing refreshments throughout the day. All in all a most splendid day and highly recommended. A thank you to all concerned."

17 Apr 18'

Sarah Brown reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Possibly one of the best 'Me days' I have had... Adrian and Andy are there to support and guide you through the briefs. I came away very much inspired by the work they do and certainly with more practical knowledge than I turned up with. I am delighted with my creations and am now the envy of friends and family who have seen them. I did spend most of the trip home to Leeds working out my own home forge! Debbie's delicious veggie cuisine, cakes and bakes at lunchtime and afternoon tea are definitely something to look forward to along with the sense of achievement you'll get after an industrious few hours in the forge. I would have no hesitation recommending the taster course, I hope to be back to visit very soon!"

16 Apr 18'

Iain reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I attended this course with my son- a 21st Birthday gift from his sister and a 60th birthday gift for myself from my son. After an early start to get there we were greeted by Debbie with a hot drink and delicious flapjack. Adrian gave us our first demonstration and then we proceeded to make our first object- a keyring. Adrian and Andy were there to support and guide us but allowed us to get on with the job in hand. Both were encouraging and helpful. We then proceeded onto the dragon coat hook which is great. Debbie did us proud with a super lunch and cakes. The group were lovely and it felt relaxed throughout. We came home with our achievements and great experiences.We both thoroughly enjoyed the day. We would highly recommend this course to all."

16 Apr 18'

Tom Watson reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I had an excellent day from beginning to end. Debbie provides an excellent selection of delicious homemade sweet treats and a particularly excellent lunch. Adrian and Andy are excellent instructors and are both very friendly and helpful as they mingle with the various students having different levels of success with steel! Thoroughly enjoyable and very strongly recommended. A+ all round."

11 Apr 18'

Steven Shannon reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Fantastic day... Adrian and Debbie are the perfect hosts, excellent tuition throughout the day from Adrian, extremely knowledgeable light hearted with no pressure or expectation. The whole group supported throughout, Lunch was very good a vegetarian stew and baked potatoes followed by apple crumble delicious! The day flew by and we all left with two very well made momentoms.. Would highly recommend this course well worth every penny."

10 Apr 18'

Amy Punshon reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Thank you for a great day. I booked the day for my dad and me for his birthday. We were really well looked after and got to get really stuck in and make some fantastic projects."

8 Apr 18'

Bobby Terry reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"What a brilliant way to spend a day....and to come home with two items that I could be proud of. A key ring and a dragon 3 hook coat hanger. My husband was also with me so a little bit of competition was going on as well! Interesting to learn new techniques with very helpful instructions and clear demonstration but with out them intruding into your learning experience but there when needed. Catering was excellent... few pounds heavier as Debbie makes an excellent flapjack besides a great lunch. Would highly recommend a go, lots of fun, hard work but fulfilling."

8 Apr 18'

Alan Godsave reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A wonderful day. We were warmly greeted by our hosts - Adrian, Debbie and Andy and after a hot drink and a few essential preliminaries were shown how to make our first item. So , within half an hour of arrival, nine hammers were being applied to nine pieces of red hot steel. Throughout the day, the level of supervision and help was extremely well judged - Adrian and Andy were always available to guide us or demonstrate but did not in anyway intrude. The first items were complete by coffee time and then we were set to work on a much more comprehensive piece involving many different blacksmithing techniques. All the participants looked doubtful that they could create something resembling the demonstration piece but by mid afternoon, incredibly, we all had. Our endeavours were only interrupted by an extremely good and wholesome home-made lunch - thanks Debbie! All nine participants left having had a enjoyable and very memorable day and feeling they had really learned something and achieved something. Ten out of ten for Adrian, Andy and - of course - Debbie. Many thanks. It had been worth every mile of the drive from North Wales."

7 Apr 18'

Ron Irving reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"What a great day! I've done metalwork before but not forging - I'm hooked now! Really good tuition from Adrian and Andy with clear demonstrations and plenty of help when it went a bit pear shaped. Debbie does a great job on the catering front with never ending drinks and flapjack and really nice lunch. Overall, we both really enjoyed the day and came away with a couple of completed useful projects. Can't wait to get on another course!"

7 Apr 18'

Lee Todd. reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"The day was excellent. The staff were knowledgeable, but also affable, welcoming and very approachable. Being even more feeble than I thought I was, my arm was jelly before we broke for lunch, but i still managed to create a coat rack that looked like a dragon (if i squint at it) and is very usable. While the tasks seemed initially daunting, the smiths were always close to hand and willing to help (like when you can't lift the hammer anymore and they kindly assist while the shaking subsides from your hand) . The food during lunch was very good, with a hearty rustic taste. Everyone was warm and welcoming and i would, and will, recommend it to others. A really fun day."

4 Apr 18'

Carwyn Dwyer reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I can't thank you guys enough ... I had an awesome day, and came away buzzing with the one and only craft done by myself :) The coat hooks I made will make a lovely addition to my house . Teaching was expertly broken down to easy steps, all coming together brilliantly. Can't wait to book onto another course soon. Food was lovely and home prepared, lemon drizzle cake to die for. Thank you once again Adrian , Debbie and the whole team that made this run so well . Carwyn"

3 Apr 18'

Peter Morland reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Had great time, course covered loads different things, help and advice was given at all times. Very friendly relaxed atmosphere, highly recommend it for anyone. Big shout for Debbie's food, might have to email her for the recipe ."

2 Apr 18'

Peter Gilroy reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A very enjoyable and constructive day. Excellent instruction from Adrian - even I could follow. Good assistance if needed. Very pleased with my creations in iron woohoo!!! The food was excellent. Thank you Debbie. Well worth a visit."

1 Apr 18'

Chris Lofthouse reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Absolutely brilliant day on the blacksmithing course everyone was incredibly friendly and the help received from Adrian Andy and Debbie was great! Would definitely recommend to anyone who has an interest in metalwork or art! Even if they don’t feel particularly practical or artistic. The course will help them massively."

8 Mar 18'

Jack reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Cracking day! Great instructors, we all got straight into work from the off, help is given where needed but you're given plenty of time to work by yourself and get stuck in. Nice relaxed atmosphere, small group size with an anvil each. Would definitely recommend to a friend. Oh and the food is excellent and there is plenty of it!"

6 Mar 18'

Neil Jackson reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Had the course bought for me as a birthday present and didn't know what to expect but thoroughly enjoyed the day Adrian and Andy are both great guys who explained what to do and how to do it and then let us get on with it without jumping in so we all managed to complete our tasks in our own time. The food was all home cooked and had more than an army could eat. Will be booking a return trip definitely. Thanks to the team for a great day."

5 Mar 18'

Andy Toogood reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Adrian, Andy and Debbie made a cold day in March a more than warm and hospitable day. Friendliness exuded from every moment, I travelled for two hours having felt really jaded and worn out from work and wasn't sure if I had the ability to enjoy my 50th birthday present. But enjoy it I did, the teaching was excellent, informative, erudite and witty. I gained so much new knowledge and skills it was truly awesome. Then it was interspersed with Debbie mouth watering fayre, not to mention the array of distinguished cheeses (all with a wonderful local provenance). I am most definitely a late convert to blacksmithing, wished I had done this earlier and I can't wait to go back for my next course. A five star course given by five star people."

5 Mar 18'

Gordon Ford reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"For anyone interested in a Blacksmiths taster day I can strongly recommend AW Blacksmithing Courses . Adrian and Andy provided excellent instruction with a very friendly attitude along with Debbie's catering which was absolutely wonderful. My thanks to the three of them for an enjoyable day, It was a great day that I'll never forget."

12 Feb 18'

Claire Laverack reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"We bought the experience for our son’s Christmas gift. The booking process was so easy from start to finish. Debbie was a great help with choosing the right course, and gave advice on the local area for Mum & Dad. The food was fantastic and there was plenty of it. Ben had a fantastic time and was made to feel very welcome. Andy and Adrian were brilliant. They gave clear instruction and encouragement but didn’t micromanage. Ben would love to go back so we are looking at a course to do as a family. A highly recommended experience."

12 Feb 18'

Ross Beasley reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Brilliant day. I’ve been interested in blacksmithing since seeing a display in a historical museum in the US. There was only me and my other half there so the blacksmith talked us through everything he was doing in meticulous detail, and then gave us the hook he made to show us. I thought ‘I want to do that’ Then my other half bought me this course for Christmas. And it was excellent. Very good instruction, you realise quickly you have zero muscle memory for this sort of activity, but as you get through your first project and start getting the hang of things, you find enormous enjoyment from it. And you leave the course with a few bits of metal work that YOU produced. Top tip: wear a hat. Bits of dust from the fires gets everywhere and lands all over your hair, drink, clothes etc. Not an issue but I didn’t think about that at all. You will be breathing it in all day as well, so consider that. Great food is served home made by Debbie. More cakes than you’ll know what to do with too! Great day. Already booked on my next one."

11 Feb 18'

Trevor Parkes reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"The whole day far exceeded my expectations: from the warm friendly welcome (which continued throughout the day), to the direction and support given by both Adrian and Andy. I nervously approached this course never believing I could possibly make something out of metal but came away on a high, with a dragon hanger and snail key-ring, which I had made myself! I wholeheartedly would recommend this course to anyone who has an interest in making something from metal. On top of which I was fed delicious home cooked food and kept in supply of tea and cake. Thank you for the experience. Will be booking another course soon."

4 Feb 18'

Jon G reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Adrian and Andy, what a great day - I never realised how much fun could be had hammering for 7 hours! Seriously, you run a superb course, informative with clear instructions delivered in a relaxed and enjoyable day. Debbie, the food was lovely.. I have a new skill, yippee...watch out Thor! Thanks again, Jon"

28 Jan 18'

Sarah Mills reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This is a fantastic day. It was so much fun learning what to do and having a go at all the techniques. It gives you such a sense of achievement to take away what you have made. Lunch was great too. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day."

6 Jan 18'

Gareth Summers reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This was an amazing introduction into the world of blacksmithing! Practically from the moment we arrived we were given a hands-on introduction and were getting stuck in before we knew it. We were very involved throughout the entire day and were encouraged to just get involved and ask for help when needed; both Adrian and Andy are very experienced blacksmiths who were very friendly and approachable and happy to help out where needed. Debbie was on site to provide a constant stream of refreshments and the homecooked and locally sourced lunch was definitely welcome, I think we all worked up a huge appetite as the morning progressed. Everyone involved went to great lengths to make us feel welcome and to provide an entertaining day and they were certainly successful in their efforts. This course was booked for me as a surprise Christmas present and I was very happy to receive it; the snail key ring and dragon coat hook we made on the day have found a proud place in my house. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try something practical and unusual and I have already looked into attending another course myself, I’d love to return!"