Chalk Pit Forge reviews

22 May 23'

Simon Walker reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"What a thoroughly enjoyable day. Alex is a natural teacher. The day was wonderfully paced with Alex showing you what to do step by step. I had never done this before and came away with a fabulous ram's head poker, which encapsulates several different disciplines with fire welding being undoubtedly the most fun. I will definitely return and have already recommended it to friends. Thanks again Alex for a magnificent day. "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Simon, Thanks for the great review. It's really appreciated. It's great that you enjoyed the day and the fire welding!!! All the best Alex"

17 May 23'

Richard Armit reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Had a great time on the course and achieved the result I wanted as well as learning to appreciate the blacksmith’s art. Alex has great teaching style as well as the ability to create. "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Richard, thanks for the great review. I'm glad you're happy with what you made. It's a very unique item. You certainly couldn't buy that in the shops. All the best Alex "

9 May 23'

Connel reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Great one day course with Alex, made a crown, a bottle opener and a birdfeeder holder with time to spare! Alex clearly has a passion for smithing and passing on his knowledge, it shows in the way he explains the details. 10/10"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Connel, Thank you so much for your review. I am chuffed you gave the day 10/10 and that you enjoyed the experience. I hope you get lots of use out of the bottle opener. Alex"

1 May 23'

Graham Prosser reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"I did a one day course with Alex and made a welly storage rack. I throughly enjoyed the day, it was great to make something useful. Alex is an excellent teacher."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Graham, thanks for the great review. It's nice to hear you enjoyed the experience as I love sharing the craft. All the best Alex "

25 Apr 23'

Zoe reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"The course was a gift for my husband and he loved it! Alex is a fantastic tutor. My husband arrived early and we, having purchased tickets to the museum, followed on an hour later. It was a lovely day for all of us. The trivet he made sits proudly on the table, but more importantly the memories of the day will last just as long! Alex is very knowledgeable and ensured that the day went smoothly. I don't think I can recommend this course highly enough, a proper treat."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Zoe, thank you so much for the great review. It's really appreciated. I'm glad your husband enjoyed it and it's great he's got a trivet he can use and remember the day. Thanks again Alex "

25 Apr 23'

Jeremy Dolan reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"I would recommend this one on one session to anyone interested in blacksmithing. Fascinating craft! Alex's teaching allowed me to make the valuable mistakes necessary to learn from, without adversely impacting the outcome of what I wanted to build. I now have the confidence to have a bash at home and further the skills I learned. This was a gift and a great experience. I genuinely felt childhood levels of excitement and feel very satisfied when thinking about the day."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Thanks very much, Jeremy. That's really nice to hear. I'm glad you would happily do it again and found it satisfying. Get that forge lit! Alex "

17 Apr 23'

Richard Fothergill reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Yep another 5 stars. If you fancy doing this (it’s a lot of fun and very creative), you are looking in the right place. Even made me a cuppa or two! Fab poker made for the winter, with an ornate Rams head that was the result of my efforts!!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Richard, thanks for the great review. I'm glad you enjoyed your experience. It's such a great craft and I love sharing it with people. So, thanks for coming. Alex "

9 Apr 23'

Martin Marlow reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"I spent a very enjoyable and informative day with Alex who was a very patient teacher, demonstrating various blacksmith skills and allowing me to make a bespoke boot scraper/wellie puller. A great way to get an insight into the ancient craft of blacksmithing."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Martin, That's great you enjoyed your day learning about the Blacksmith craft while making your boot scraper. Thanks for coming and thanks for leaving a great review. All the best Alex "

4 Apr 23'

Jon P reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Alex is an excellent teacher, brimming with knowledge and knows just how to pass it on. I had never done anything like this before and by the end of the day I was extremely pleased with my creation and at the experience as a whole. Thoroughly recommend him to anyone considering having a bash, you will not regret it."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Thanks for your great review, Jon. It was a really pleasure getting to meet you. All the best Alex "

23 Mar 23'

Brian MARRIS reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Great day playing with an expert. Most interesting controlling the fire fire and working metal at heat. Recommend."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Brian, Thanks for your great review, it's really appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed playing with hot metal and fire. It is fun! All the best Alex "

20 Mar 23'

William Easdale reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Awesome day with Alex learning techniques using the Forge. I have a bespoke item that will last forever. Such a fantastic day, thank you Alex "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Thanks for the great review, Bill. It's much appreciated. I'm really glad you had a great day. All the best Alex "

19 Mar 23'

Andy reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Alex - thank you so much for showing me the art of smithing. This was for my 40th Birthday, with your guidance I was able to make some keep sakes for my children & wife to mark this Birthday. If you have an interest in forging, blacksmithing do book the course. It’s excellent fun "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Andy, Thank you very much for your great review. I'm glad you had a memorable day to mark your 40th! Thank you for coming Alex"

21 Feb 23'

Derek Kirk reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"I had the pleasure of my second one day Blacksmith course with Alex, who is a great teacher. I had a fantastic day making a birdbath. Alex guided me through all the stages of the cutting, forming and jointing techniques needed to complete the project, including ‘hot riveting', forging tapers and bends & cold rolling. Will do another day when I can. Highly recommend it."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Derek, Thank you for your great review, it's really appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed the day and would do it again. I hope the birds like your bird bath once you've painted it. All the best Alex "

20 Feb 23'

Peter charnaud reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Brilliant course. I did 3 days and learnt scrolling, toolmaking , annealing hardening, twisting, splitting, punching, tenoning, welding, and more and all the techniques for them. Alex is a great tutor and shows you each step and then leaves you to do your own thing. Highly knowledgeable and you couldn't get a better teacher."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Peter, That's great to hear. Thank you so much for the great review. Alex "

19 Jan 23'

Andy reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Excellent course. Alex was great and took me through all the steps of process with a friendly, patient and very knowledgabe manner. Thouroughly recommend it to anyone wanting to try their hand at blacksmithing."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Andy, Thanks very much for the cracking review. it's fully appreciated and I am happy you'd recommend it. best wishes Alex"

30 Oct 22'

Roger Line reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Alex was simply excellent. I turned up with a very specific agenda in relation to replicating 15th items and he showed me exactly how to achieve this. Thank you "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Roger, thanks very much for your great review, it's really appreciated. I'm glad you achieved what you set out to achieve for your 15th century building. All the best with your project, I hope it is a big success. Alex "

22 Oct 22'

Andy Boon reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"A really great day in the forge - my wife bought me the experience as a 60th birthday present during the pandemic, so I had to wait a long time to use the voucher, but well worth the wait. We now have a distinctive bird bath for the garden. Alex is an excellent teacher, and made sure I was fully involved in all aspects of the job. Also, the forge is in a beautiful location in the South Downs, within a very interesting museum. Good cafe! "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Andy, Thanks for your great review, it's very much appreciated. I'm glad you are happy with what you made and that you enjoyed your hands on experience! Thanks again for coming and having a bash! Alex "

21 Oct 22'

Simon Perry reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"What a great gift from my family, I had a two day course where I made an outside hanging sign for my garage/man cave. Alex is a fantastic tutor steering you in the right direction, supplying plenty of tea and biscuits and a great lunch in the café. Chalk Pits Forge in Amberley Museum is a wonderful setting and will be going back to visit in the summer. "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Simon, thanks for the great review, it's very much appreciated. Glad to hear you thought I was a fantastic tutor... That's very encouraging. All the best with the man cave, every man needs one! Alex "

20 Oct 22'

James Dodd reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"A fantastic experience, a great day in a brilliant location, learning about the techniques and skills of moving hot metal into interesting shapes. This was my third time at the Chalk Pit Forge and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in having a go, Alex is a very good teacher with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of patience. I am already planning my next project."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi James, thanks for your great review. Glad you find me a very good and patient teacher. Thanks very much for coming to the forge for a third time. It's really appreciated. I hope everyone back home likes your masterpiece in the garden. It's a great idea! Alex "

17 Oct 22'

Stuart Davies reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"What a wonderful way to spend a couple of days away from the ping of emails and messages! Absorbing yourself in a traditional craft that has to be worked at and to then produce something to be really proud of. I have just returned from a two day course with Alex, and produced a Lily bird bath and feeder, swiftly followed by a log turner and fire rake with twists. This was something I really wanted to have a go at and I am so pleased to have found Alex and the Chalk Pit Forge. Alex is a very patient and welcoming teacher - especially when explaining a technique for the thousandth time to me. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the forge and I am thinking about my next project already!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Stuart, Thanks so much for your review, it's much appreciated. Glad to hear you found me to be a welcoming and patient teacher! I look forward to your next project. All the best Alex "

10 Oct 22'

Mark reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"I attended a day course with my grandson. He made a replica kunai (a ninja symbolic knife/trowel) and I a birdbath. Alex was very good at helping us to do things for ourselves and very good at correcting things which didn’t go perfectly so we felt we had made them ourselves. Both of us absolutely delighted to learn about forging and the physics of metals and we went home proud owners of unique constructs. Thankyou Alex"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Mark, thanks for your great review, it's very much appreciated. It's also great to hear you both had a nice day and enjoyed the experience. It was interesting and delightful to meet you both. Many thanks and regards Alex "

10 Oct 22'

Roger reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"Spent a great day and had a wonderful time producing my "lilly" Alex is an excellent teacher and was able to combine demonstration with allowing me to try things and feel confident. Would highly recommend Roger"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Roger, Thanks for your great review, it's very much appreciated. Really glad to hear you enjoyed making your Lily and are happy with the results of your hard work. Great meeting you. All the best Alex "

4 Oct 22'

Michael Dixon reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"What an experience the Forge is. I had a great day making a Rams Head Poker and a Shepherds Crook, hard work but very enjoyable. Alex is an excellent teacher, full of knowledge of his craft & very good at it. I was surprised how good they turned out. I would recommend it to anyone. "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Michael, thanks for your review. Really glad to hear you had a good day and you're happy with what you made and learnt, it's much appreciated. All the best Alex "

22 Aug 22'

Lottie Lewis reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"My sister and I had such a great day with Alex learning how to create bird baths from sheet metal, using the dishing technique. We shared a one-to-one day experience, taking it in turns to work on our projects. It worked really well. Alex was a great teacher and generally excellent company for the day too. The historic Chalk Pit Forge is in such a gorgeous setting, very peaceful and rural. I can't recommend highly enough spending time at Chalk Pit Forge with Alex, I came away with an awesome bird bath, wanting to return to have a go at something else. (Alex also provided some awesome snacks, which are very welcome as it is a very physical day) If you are considering this course - do it, you won't be disappointed! "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Lottie, Thanks so much for the great review. It's much appreciated. I'm glad you're happy with what you made and learnt and am very happy you found me excellent company. You and Liz were too! All the best Alex Smith "

19 Aug 22'

Henry Brennan reviewed: One-to-one, One day, blacksmith course

"I had a great day and learned a lot, how much I can reuse is a guess, but this is something I always wanted to do and I am glad I did it. Alex was great, the day went quickly and I was shattered at the end. I would definitely do it again."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

" Hi Henry, Thanks for coming to Chalk Pit Forge to make a Rams head poker. It was great teaching you all the techniques involved, such as, splitting, forging, twisting, bending and fire welding. Thanks very much for your great review, much appreciated. All the best Alex Smith "