Dartmoor Creative Woodturning reviews

19 Dec 17'

Trudy Veale reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I couldn't recommend Chris enough, his course was excellent. The workshop was very clean and tidy, the machines were well maintained. Chris' tuition was very clear and really moved my woodturning on, he explained things so,easily, he was very patient and kind, and we had a beautiful bowl to show for it and the end of the day. We will definitely be going back without a shadow of a doubt, thank you Chris."

30 Nov 17'

Stefan Batorijs reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I am intending to turn sculptural shapes and needed specific tuition for this. Chris was brilliant in adapting his training to meet my needs. He was patient and also prepared to push me along, not dumb things down. the day was challenging, but I came away with what I needed, and a very beautiful wooden object."

27 Nov 17'

Derinne reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"My sister and I spent a great day with Chris, he is very knowledgeable and extremely patient. We were very proud of the two beautiful bowls we went home with."

25 Nov 17'

David Mohan reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I have been woodturning for a few years and was self-taught so I thought it was time to learn how to do it properly. The day spent with Chris was inspirational and enlightening to say the least. Chris has a friendly, calm, supportive and patient manner which, together with a clear ability to explain and demonstrate techniques will put any student at ease and enable them to discover the beautiful world of woodturning and come away with new-found skills. If you have any doubts about attending a woodturning tuition day, then go and spend a day with Chris. You won't go wrong. I certainly will be going back! Thank you Chris for a fantastic day!"

21 Nov 17'

Andrew Shipman reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Just attended the one day woodturning course with Chris. As a complete novice he was the perfect tutor, patient with detailed explanation and support throughout the day resulting in a beautiful bowl. His practical but thorough approach to the safe use of machinery and tools was spot on. His demonstration and explanation of techniques has inspired me to take up woodturning as a hobby."

19 Nov 17'

Becca reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Had a great day with George and Chris. Made a bowl I am really proud of - with some expert (patient!) help! Sue took great care of us, tea and coffee on tap � would highly recommend, and look forward to visiting again."

18 Nov 17'

Ilse reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

""We spent a lovely day with George and his brother Chris making beech bowls. They're very attentive and knowledgeable tutors explaining every stage of the process in detail, I highly recommend the course. Thank you George and Chris for a day of woodturning, politics and philosophy -"

31 Oct 17'

Jeremy reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Joined Chris for a wood turning course and went home with a nice bowl.Would recommend and will be returning for more lessons in the future."

30 Oct 17'

John H-D reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"A day of two halves. The morning setting up my grindstone and learning how to sharpen my tools correctly, sharpening my tools and learning about the use if tools - the afternoon turning a socket jig to hold fruit and turning an apple and a pear. A very informative and constructive day. Chris is a very patient man and gave good clear instruction on what to do. Thank you Chris for a most helpful and constructive day."

1 Oct 17'

Bethany Woodburn reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I had a very enjoyable day learning the skilful craft of wood turning. Chris is a great teacher, giving as much support as needed to create the desired effect. I highly recommend this as an experience day out and love the fact you make something to take home with you as a memento of the day. Many thanks Chris, I had a great time."

1 Oct 17'

Aidan Woodburn reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Such a great day spent learning all about the process of wood turning! It was fun, interesting, and extremely satisfying to work with Chris on creating something from a lump of a log to a smooth circular bowl at the end of the day! Chris was a fantastic tutor in each step involved in the process and I came way with a great deal of awe and respect for the craft, plus a proud owner of my own created first piece which Chris assisted me in creating in just the right way: to teach and advise in a safe and calm way for a beginner like me, but also allowing me to add my own slant to the piece and I felt like it really was my own. I would thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone and everyone as it is a great day out, and Chris will be a perfect tutor for people of all abilities and levels of confidence. Thanks, Chris, see you again!"

25 Aug 17'

Matt reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"My partner and I spent a really enjoyable day with Chris. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in learing how to turn wood as Chris is extremely patient and attentive to your level of ability. Despite neither of us ever having done anything like this before we both came away with a beautiful bowl each. It was nice to know we could do it. Thanks Chris!"

29 Jul 17'

Roger Hoey reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I have just had, I think, my third visit here. Chris is endlessly patient & an extremely good teacher. Part of yesterday was devoted to setting up my bench grinder for sharpening, I might add that all this was at my request. After that I made a lovely bowl out of sweet chestnut. Anybody out there & thinking of giving woodturning a go, this is the chap you want. Needless to say I shall be back!!"

27 Jul 17'

David Norman reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Did this course with my wife a couple of weeks ago. We both ended up with amazingly good products thanks to Chris's tuition, help and care. The workshop is well equipped with plenty of space for 2-3 people working there and the tuition was exceptionally good. Chris not only explained the intricacies but was patient to the extreme when we got it wrong. A most worthwhile day; we may well go again to develop our, as yet, very limited skills."

26 Jul 17'

helen sargent reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I highly recommend this day's course. I took my 16 year old nephew and we each came away with the most beautiful turned piece. Chris is superb and makes everything clear and straightforward - it was a fun, creative and uplifting day. Don't hesitate: go!"

2 Jul 17'

Megan Bovey reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I bought my boyfriend and I a woodturning course for Christmas. We visited Chris in April and it was beyond what we imagined, we thoroughly enjoyed our day. Chris took his time and explained each step very carefully and continued to give us helpful tips to be able to complete our fruit bowls. Chris was an extremely friend man and very passionate about woodturning, a pleasure to converse with. We will be back to see him for sure, I would and have recommend people to spend a day with Chris! 10/10"

9 May 17'

Magnus Mowat reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I have spent two day with Chris and greatly enjoyed both of them. He is very knowledgeable and endlessly patient with a beginner who does not always remember what he was told an hour ago! I learnt a great deal and am going back again. Magnus Mowat"

1 May 17'

Christine reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"My Dad and I really enjoyed our day with Chris. We learnt a huge amount, practiced a lot of turning skills and techniques under patient tuition and really felt we were in the hands of a true expert with an amazing eye for detail (particularly with regard to sanding!). There were one or two slip-ups on my part, which Chris swiftly turned into "design opportunities". (Thank you). It's a relaxed pace of course but there is a lot to remember and I wish I'd written stuff down as we went. Perhaps some 'course notes' that cover the different terminologies, equipment and techniques used would be a useful aide-memoire to take home. Would love to return for another day. Highly recommend this course."

30 Mar 17'

Jenni Rajoo reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Chris is a patient and knowledgable teacher who takes time to explain how to turn based on a given student's learning style. On the bits I found challenging he took more time to show me methods to help make it easier. Chris is flexible and understanding and I have really enjoyed both courses I have done with him."

11 Mar 17'

Mike Bray reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Have just attended a day's course with Chris at Ashburton.My wife bought me a voucher for Xmas and this was my first experience of woodturning.A very satisfying and enjoyable day.Chris has a great tuition style,very relaxed but informative with masses of patience.The course is great value for money and a lot of fun.Suffice to say am booking further courses with Chris to learn more very shortly.5"

23 Feb 17'

Kat Werner reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I highly recommend Chris as a wonderful teacher. My first experience in this craft and was not sure what to expect. At times I felt challenged by the physical skills and the precision required. Chris has got a great ability to reassure and guide a confused novice through any challenge. He is an incredibly skillful craftsman but most importantly , able to pass on his knowledge in a gentle, student centered and hands on manner. The bowl I made under his tuition looks perfect, I am chuffed.Thank you ,Chris. Any student taught by you is in safe hands!"

17 Feb 17'

Michael Baier reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"My wife gave me a day's wood-turning tuition with Chris as a birthday present, Having just returned I can say that I had a great time. Chris was very supportive in his instruction, gently leading me through the many tasks required to turn a block of wood into a beautiful bowl. The wife is delighted."

7 Feb 17'

Richard reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Spent yesterday woodturning for the first time. Chris is an excellent tutor. The day is very well organised and structured with full guidance and support throughout. Also it is great fun! Highly recommended."

5 Feb 17'

Peter Gilbert reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I have now attended two of Chris' wonderful courses. The first was so enjoyable I took my son along for the second. Chris' teaching style is humourous and knowledgeable and he supports you at every stage of the wood turning process. At the end of the day you find that by some miracle you have produced a perfectly turned bowl and learnt some impressive skills. It is a process which requires concentration and precision and although you start out very nervous about what injuries you may be about to inflict on the innocent piece of wood ( not to mention the lathe and tools ) you very soon relax under Chris' guidance and encouragement and find yourself mesmerised by the activity. The Dartmoor location and Chris' excellent supply of chocolate biscuits and bonhomie make it a day of complete satisfaction."

1 Feb 17'

Nick Massey reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"A really terrific day's instruction. I purchased a second hand Axminster lathe and desperately needed some practical advice. I've never had any experience whatsoever. A good friend recommended Chris. He had attended the one day course and was extremely positive. Chris is a real treasure. Apart from being an extremely knowledgeable, highly skilled practitioner, his ability to instruct is super. The approach and advice in terms of overall safety was exactly what I wanted since I hadn't laid hands on my lathe since purchase....being somewhat nervous that I might do something daft!! With Chris's careful instruction, I managed to create a fine sycamore bowl which will hopefully be the first of one or three. I was also given much advice and help in terms of what tools I needed and hands-on demonstration re sharpening and care. It's a lot to absorb in one day and I intend to return once I've dipped my feet into some investigation/ creation (!!) in my garage. Fabulous day and very much recommended."