Broadrake reviews

Trevor Williamson reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"An excellent day making a willow curlew. Lovely setting, Phil the tutor was fantastic and the other group members were all great. Rachel was attentive with teas/coffee etc and lunch was first class. Couldn’t have had a more enjoyable day. My curlew already had pride of place in the garden. Highly recommend."

Broadrake responded:

"Thanks Trevor! It was great to see how well you mastered working eith the willow so well and your Curlew was really beautiful. I'm sure it will be much admired. Hope to see you again at Broadrake for another workshop."

Helen reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Fantastic course, Phil is a really patient and humorous teacher, and we all left with very passable curlews! The pace and level of support was just right, and the home-made biscuits and cakes were delicious, as was the veggie lunch. I highly recommend it."

Broadrake responded:

"Hi Helen, So glad that you enjoyed the day. Since you are not so very far away from Broadrake, I really hope that you might come back again for more willow work with Phil - he really is the best tutor! Rachel"

Beth & Tony reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"A lovely day of making in beautiful surroundings. Phil was a very good tutor. The venue and catering were excellent. And we came home with two willow creations that looked pretty like curlews."

Broadrake responded:

"Thanks for your kind comments - I hope that your willow curlews find good homes in your garden. Let's hope it's not the last time you venture into the world of willow! Rachel"

Annabel reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"The venue is the first thing to hit you in between the eyes… over-looking the Ribblehead rail viaduct spanning the wilds of North Yorkshire, Broadrake is in the most astonishingly lovely location. Our hosts Rachel and Mike were welcoming. The food was lovely. The spacious airy facilities meet every requirement, with clearly apparent modifications for managing this sort of event, to meet current Covid precautions. Instructor Phil Bradley is just brilliant - a friendly easy-going teacher with much patience & good humour; he demonstrated much accomplishment in his craft. I would recommend the day to simply anyone!"

Broadrake responded:

"So glad that you enjoyed the whole experience - we're very lucky to have Phil teaching here. I hope that you are inspired to come back for more willowy workshops at Broadrake. Thanks, Rachel."

Moira Richardson reviewed: Willow Plant Supports with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"The long journey to the venue was well worth it.The day was a Christmas present from my son for me and a friend.He took us up there,then he and his girlfriend went off to climb Ingleborough! We were warmly greeted by Rachel with a cup of tea.There were 7 of us on the course,all social distancing in place. Phil,the tutor was great and took us step by step in creating a wonderful willow garden support.The rapport was great,making the day instructive and fun The view from the venue is amazing.We were served with hot drinks and cookies all day long and had a wonderful home cooked lunch. A fabulous day which my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed and my garden support is ready for my sweet peas!"

Lizz reviewed: Willow Plant Supports with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Hello Rachel, I really enjoyed the Willow Plant Support day. Phil was good fun and made learning what to do easy to follow and broke each stage into easy to follow steps. He was there when you needed help and gave you encouragement when you could cope on your own. The lunch taken in the lovely bunkbarn was just what we needed after working hard all morning. I am looking forward to coming in July, all being well covid-wise, to make a Curlew. Thank you for a wonderful day."

Broadrake responded:

"Hi Lizz, Lovely to have you here and glad that you appreciated Phil's excellent tuition. We are very lucky to have him teach here so often. Looking forward to seeing you here again. Rachel"

Elizabeth Wakefield reviewed: Willow Plant Supports with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Excellent day. The tutor was great. Everybody very welcoming. Lovely refreshments and lunch. Really enjoyed my day. Highly recommend"

Broadrake responded:

"Thanks Elizabeth for your 2nd review of the Willow Plant support workshop! Always good to be doubly appreciated and nice to have confirmation that what we offer here goes down well. Rachel"

Isabel and Stan Toward reviewed: Willow Plant Supports with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"We had a superb day learning an ancient craft with a master craftsman. The surroundings were wonderful and Rachel's admin was efficient and professional and the lunch was delicious."

Broadrake responded:

"Hi Isabel and Stan, So glad that you found the workshop in the National Park 'what's on' Visitor guide to be able to take part whilst on holiday to celebrate Stan's birthday. Well done for keeping it totally secret from him until the workshop started! Hopefully you'll be inspired for more willowy workshops in the future. Enjoy the rest of your holiday, and trust that the plant supports find a good home in your garden. Thanks Rachel"

Frances Coates reviewed: Willow Plant Supports with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"I had a lovely day, and took home a really nice willow structure. Rachel and Michael made us feel very welcome, made us a wonderful lunch and were the perfect hosts. Philip is a great tutor and I found his instructions easy to follow and his gentle manner of teaching really helpful. I would definitely recommend this course to anybody who would like to try working with willow."

Broadrake responded:

"Thank you Fran for your great comments - and glad that you took home more willow for another plant support! I did warn you that working with willow can be addictive...! Hope to see you at Broadrake again soon! Rachel"

Elizabeth Wakefield reviewed: Willow Plant Supports with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Great day. Lovely tutor. Rachel and Mike very welcoming. Lunch and cookies excellent. Thoroughly good day. Would recommend."

Broadrake responded:

"Thank you Elizabeth! It was lovely to meet you. I hope that working with the willow has inspired you to continue weaving - it's pretty addictive!! Hope that plant support 2 turns out well and maybe we'll see you again for another willowy day here. It was great too that your husband was able to give his spanking new electric bike a trip to Hawes and back! Rachel"

Duncan Lowery reviewed: Spoon carving, 2 days with Steve Tomlin in the Yorkshire Dales

"Spoon Carving with Steve Tomlin. A fantastic 2 day course. The tuition by Steve was excellent and conducted in a fun and highly enjoyable atmosphere. Not only is Steve an excellent carver, he's also a great teacher and lovely guy. Boradrake Barn hosted us splendidly, providing heapfuls of wonderful homemade food (I recommend the macadamia cookies). Rachel and Mike were the perfect hosts and the stunning setting is one of the best you can get. If you're reading this review and wondering whether to book. Just book it! You wont regret it."

Broadrake responded:

"Thanks Duncan for your lovely comments! It's great when folk come to a workshop and go away fired up to continue a new craft; you will have plenty of resources in your own woodland to make use of your new tools to carry on carving! We love to share what we have here as the stunning views never fail to impress and be an unexpected bonus to the excellent tuition we offer."

Hannah reviewed: Spoon carving, 2 days with Steve Tomlin in the Yorkshire Dales

"Dad & I had a great couple of days learning to carve spoons with the most fabulous view of the Dales. We were very well looked after, improved our carving skills greatly & ate delicious food! Even well catered for our fussy dietary requirements. Would definitely recommend this course! We had a great time. :)"

Broadrake responded:

"Thank you Hannah and Chris - it was lovely to have you along and great that you appreciated the 2 days. Steve Tomlin, the tutor, asked where we found such great people to teach - so thank you for making the first spoon carving session back after Covid such a success. There was much chat and laughter amongst the carving - very important! I hope you continue to carve - all your first spoons and spreaders were excellent for first-timers. Well Done!"

James Fellows reviewed: Blacksmith for a day in the Yorkshire Dales

"I have wanted to learn blacksmithing for years and my wife bought me this experience day for my birthday. It was one of the best days I've had, I loved every minute of it. The venue was beautiful, the food was lovely and the tutors were fantastic. I enjoyed it so much that it inspired me to set up my own little forge at home. Thank you for an amazing day! James Fellows"

Hilary Griffiths reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Attended a one day willow weaving course making a curlew. Rachel is a wonderful host providing a warm welcome on arrival to a wonderful renovated barn. I was very reassured that all measures in line with covid regulations were in place andIi was able to completely relax and enjoy a fantastic course with Phil at the helm encouraging us all that we would be able to make a willow curlew by the end of the day! - and he was right! Homemade biscuits quiche and cake all made by Rachel really made me feel so looked after and it was the best day I have had since March! Really well worth going on. Thankyou Rachel for making me feel very welcomed."

Jennifer Cawdron reviewed: Frame Baskets, 2 days with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"I enjoyed making the square basket. It was a very different type of basket to ones I have made before and was clearly explained by Phil. The venue was a very pleasant space, with plenty of room and light. The food was excellent."

Carl Robinson reviewed: Blacksmith for a day in the Yorkshire Dales

"Brilliant course, the instructors are friendly and knowledgeable, as others have said the course is a curled keyring and a dragon coat hook. The course is set in beautiful surroundings overlooking the Ribble Viaduct. The hosts Rachel and Mike were also top notch, making sure we were fed with homemade lasagne, biscuits and cakes (plenty of tea and coffee too). Highly recommended! Wear old clothes, decent comfortable shoes (not trainers) and if you're going in winter or a chilly day, dress up with layers."

Jennifer Slater reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Enjoyed a wonderful day at the giant seed pod willow workshop. Rachel and Mike are lovely welcoming hosts who make you feel immediately relaxed and what a stunning location! Phil Bradley is a brilliant and talented teacher and I am delighted with the results of my work. The facilities are excellent and homemade food delicious. I can't wait to go back again!"

Linda Mages reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"A last minute booking and had never worked with willow in any shape or form. I can hardly believe that I finished the day with an amazing giant seed pod and 3 giant rushes for my garden. Absolutely delighted and my friends barely believe that I made them! This was a fabulous day...wonderful hosts in Rach and Mike, an excellent patient tutor in Phil, scrumptious homemade food, a very safe carefully thought through covid environment, spotless spacious facilities, breathtaking location. Many thanks Linda ?"

Darren Barnes reviewed: Blacksmith for a day in the Yorkshire Dales

"What an excellent day! I've always wanted to try my hand at blacksmithing and this course certainly did not disappoint. We made a key ring and a dragon coat hook. Andy and Adrian were excellent teachers, very patient and knowledgeable Plenty of tea & biscuits provided during the day and the meal at lunch time was superb. The setting of the bunk barn is also excellent, lovely views over Ribblehead viaduct. Would highly recommend! :)"

Eddie reviewed: Blacksmith for a day in the Yorkshire Dales

"The location is gorgeous, the food was delicious, the staff were welcoming, and the course was brillliant. I couldn't recommend it enough!"

Glyn Barnes reviewed: Blacksmith for a day in the Yorkshire Dales

"The last time I got hands on was back in the seventies, CSE metalwork class at school, thank you for an interesting and excellent day, good company, hospitality , food, oh and the memories of youth!"

Roger reviewed: Blacksmith for a day in the Yorkshire Dales

"Brilliant day. Great instruction and instructors. Superb lunch. Thoroughly recommend the day."

Graham Brough reviewed: Spoon carving, 2 days with Steve Tomlin in the Yorkshire Dales

"This is an excellent course which builds on the beginner's course which I have done previously. Steve is a many skilled person who is also good at teaching. He models a process then monitors your efforts and offers advice in a friendly, constructive manner. It was a lovely relaxing day in good company from my fellow course members. The venue is tremendous, the location dramatic and wonderfully isolated. Rachel and Mike from Broadrake run a very high quality bunk barn in Chapel-le-Dale, it's difficult to concentrate on the carving as the views are so beautiful, regardless of the weather. Luckily there was time for both. On both courses Mike cooked an excellent lunch which were both very tasty. There is home baking and unlimited tea and coffee and always a friendly chat from Rachel. A perfect day. Thank you."

Fran Brockbank reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"The Curlew Willow workshop was an absolute joy. The setting at Broadrakes is very comfortable and the lunch provided was excellent. Phil Bradley is a great tutor and my curlew, which has been in the garden, has impressed visitors all summer."

Katherine Cropper reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"What a wonderful day- Phil was a brilliant tutor, he kept it fun and encouraging whist managing to get us all to make curlews - all slightly different, but all looking great. Ideal lunch and lots of tempting cake etc."