Fransham Forge reviews

15 Jan 17'

Ian and Rachel Harrower reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I bought a day's course for my husband for his birthday after he'd been dropping not too subtle hints! Well, it was money well spent and as he declared 'one of his best birthday presents ever'. He was full of praise for Nigel the minute he stepped in the door brandishing a poker, shovel, key rings and a small pot! He has been heartily recommending the course to family and friends and is keen to go back for more!"

15 Jan 17'

Carl Herrington reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"This was my second course with Nigel, obviously I thoroughly enjoyed the first course or I wouldn't have been so keen to do another. On my first course Nigel taught the basics of metal working, explaining the history of blacksmithing and how technology developed through the ages. We rapidly progressed from heating and shaping our first piece of 10mm rod to turning out pokers, shovels, keyrings and small pots. Nigel's knowledge, skill and passion for the art are infectious, his humor and patience carry you through the day of intense learning. You really do get out of the day, what you put into it. My second session was an extension of the first, although 3 months had passed, Nigel remembered me and was able to effortlessly guide me further in my learning while simultaneously starting two first timers off. The way Nigel made the second session mesh with two other lads first session was excellent, we all worked along as a group, with complete support and attention to us all, I was able to move forward and progress, with the freedom to make what I wanted, while the others where guided through from the beginning. Beyond the course Nigel has been very helpful and supportive in helping me to set up a small furnace of my own and I will certainly return for another course and will be bringing a friend who I know will love it!"

12 Dec 16'

Vix McArthur reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My son and I had an amazing two day course with Nigel. A master blacksmith, excellent practical teacher, amusing and erudite raconteur and we feel we have tasted briefly the versatility of metal and gained huge respect for the skill and artistry that goes into forging. Thank you so much, and I look forward to using my fire screen. x"

20 Nov 16'

Richard Vickery reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just had a day long course with Nigel. Just awe inspiring. His enthusiasm and skills are infectious! I came home with Christmas presents I forged that I am proud of. Will definitely be booking another course. I cannot recommend this highly enough. If I had done this course 15 years ago, I would be seriously looking at changing careers - it is that inspiring!"

13 Nov 16'

Julian parkes reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"What a great day! Nigel was an excellent teacher and host, could he tell a tale or too. Came away amazed as to what can be done with metal. Will definitely be booking another day or two . Thanks very much Nigel."

7 Oct 16'

Justin Cubitt reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just spent another fantastic day with Nigel at the forge, learnt many more blacksmithing skills. Will be booking up to return soon. Nigel is a true inspiration and true craftsman and fantastic teacher. Thank you."

23 Sep 16'

Kay Pearson reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our 2 day Blacksmithing Course and stay in one of the Shepherd's Huts. Nigel is very skilled, talented and a great teacher with many interesting stories. The workshop was very well equipped with lots of interesting projects to see. The Gallery and sculpture trail are great and show off some of Nigel's work. We also enjoyed looking around at his other projects and can't wait to go back for another visit at a later date. The Shepherd's hut was very comfortable and well crafted. We were pleased with what we made and couldn't wait to show our family and friends. Thank you for making a birthday wish come true. Richard and Kay"

17 Sep 16'

Dave Atkins reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just completed a two day course with Nigel and had a fantastic time. His dedication and enthusiasm is second to none, and leaves you wanting to learn more. He makes the art of forging and blacksmithing seem effortless and shows how to make each piece by example, but with a bit of patience and practice I was able to produce respectable (by my standard anyway) items that I was allowed to take home. Never a dull moment listening to his many tales and stories of the work he's done and people he's met along the way. Wish I'd found out about this course years ago, but now my eyes have been opened - who knows!"

6 Sep 16'

Nicc reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"This course was bought for me for my birthday. And it was fantastic, the blacksmith is a great teacher taking time to show me what I needed to know but also leaving me to it. Nigel's knowledge is very vast. I have thoroughly enjoyed my day, I was tired but all worth it! Everything I made that day I could take home with me. His shop is also a masterpiece! We also stay in one of the gypsy carts with my wife, it just added to the whole experience! Definitely recommend this forge!!!"

4 Sep 16'

Bill & Mary reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just enjoyed 2 days blacksmithing with Nigel for Bill's birthday which exceeded all expectations! We stayed in a cosy shepherd's hut in the idyllic woodland adjoining Fransham Forge. Nigel's infectious enthusiasm guided us through a wide range of techniques & he made sure that we both successfully created several useful tools, supporting our differing levels of ability & guiding us through successive processes. We enjoyed working with Jane & Keith on the second day. Nigel is an inspiring and entertaining teacher & we highly recommend his courses - hope to come again & learn more!"

4 Sep 16'

Matt reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I've had a keen interest in blacksmithing since university and after plenty of research I found this course in Norfolk. I signed up for the two day course and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Nigel's skills, knowledge and enthusiasm for engineering and blacksmithing was amazing! During the two day course I gained much inspiration around the workshop and sculpture garden. All aspects of production were explained including the safe and controlled use of tools and machinery in the forge. I learnt a great deal of knowledge that will be valuable in the future and will definitely attend another course to develop my skills further. I highly recommend this course!"

3 Sep 16'

Jayne Gutteridge reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"A big thank to Nigel for the excellent day spent with him, Mary, Bill and Keith. I had a brilliant time and am over the moon with the items I made. It was an experience I shall never forget. Nigel is a very good teacher, I learnt a lot. He makes everything seem so easy to achieve and as he says - there are no mistakes! The workshop day is something I would recommend for anyone who wants to have fun and learn a new skill. Thank you once again Nigel."

29 Aug 16'

Dave Swinborne reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Great Fun. Booked on the recommendation of my brother in law. Was not disappointed. Had a great day with fellow trainee blacksmiths!!!!!. Thoroughly recommend Nigel and the course. Hope to repeat the experience in the future."

24 Jul 16'

Simon Reed reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Had a 2 day course and it was fantastic learnt so much in short space of time. Nigel is an amazing teacher with a wealth of knowledge and plenty of enthusiasm for what he does which he is brilliant at. I will definitely be looking to go back again to learn more."

22 Jul 16'

Justin Cubitt reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just had the best day with Nigel, really nice guy,so knowledgeable, such a craftsman, enthusiastic teacher. Could not believe how much I learnt and done in a day . will definitely be going back to learn more."

13 Jun 16'

Margaret Maxwell reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I wish I'd booked it earlier - it took me 18 months from being given the course for Christmas to actually doing it as I was worried about my bad wrist. I need not have worried as it was much less physical than I expected and Nigel was very helpful. It was a wonderful day away from the norm hearing Nigel's stories and making items which I'm proud of. I've already been busy recommending it to others :)"

13 Jun 16'

Alex Mason reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My wife gave me this as a present for my 75th birthday - Nigel is a great character and an excellent teacher - a few safety tips, a demonstration then off you go to get on with it - under his guidance the things I made will be treasured. I would recommend this to anyone with or without any previous practical experience. A memorable day spent with a man who certainly has a flair for artistry in metal. Alex mason"

12 Jun 16'

Hernan Morillo reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I signed up for the one day course with Nigel. I had never done any smithing before and I was curious about how it would feel to bend, shape and form metal, it is an amazing thing to be able to create a complex shape from a simple rod. Nigel was excellent, obviously a talented artist/ craftsman but also a good teacher and great fun to hear his many stories. The workshop is an engineers' paradise. You'll get to visit his gallery too which is full of interesting artefacts and there are arty sculptures scattered around the gardens. I am planning to spend another 1-2 days working on my own design of a fire pit. Would I recommend this course/ Nigel ? Yes, without any hesitation and I look forward to visiting Fransham Forge again soon. Thank you for an excellent day Nigel."

12 Jun 16'

Harvey Darkins reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I had a great day blacksmithing with Nigel on the one day course. I received the course as a present from my girlfriend as I've always wanted to have a go and maybe start it as a hobby. I managed to make a fire set (poker, tong and shovel) in the day which was a nice thing to take away from the course. Nigel is always on hand to help you through each stage. He makes it look very easy. We stayed at the forge in one of Nigel's shepherds hut. It was very comfortable, perfect accommodation for the course, with everything you need. Plus, it was nice to be able to cook our meals on open fire. I would definitely go back for another day if I start blacksmithing as a hobby, for more tuition."

22 May 16'

Michael Wigfull reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Spent an amazing day learning from Nigel, he's an excellent teacher but he makes it look far too easy. He'll show you how to do it and then leave you to try it for yourself, if you fail no problem just put it back into the fire and try again. You'll be given access to most of Nigel's Knights of the Round table, various types of weights of power hammers that will help you draw out the metal once you've learnt how to do it by hand. I may have caught the blacksmithing bug, I wish I'd been taught this stuff in school. I think I'm going to be retelling Nigel's stories to anyone who'll listen for a long time. Five stars, can I come back next week?"

11 May 16'

anita and william roberts reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My son and I had a wonderful day with Nigel at the Forge, including two nights in the shepherds huts on what proved to be a snowy spring weekend. As a girl raised in the sexist days of the 50's and 60's I had no experience at all of metalwork and was a little nervous of what to expect. Nigel was interesting and knowledgable, willing to stand back or step in as needed. Having expected that we would observe much and participate a little we were thrilled to discover that once Nigel had demonstrated a technique we were able to practise skills with a considerable level of independence and to produce objects of our own. We came away very aware of the level of skill Nigel has in producing beautiful ironwork and with our own less than perfect, but proudly produced, pokers, shovels, metal leaves and a small dish. Nigel's flute playing was relaxing and fun and he made four children very welcome to watch and listen for part of the day. This day was a Christmas gift that was greatly appreciated - an all-round good experience."

17 Apr 16'

Jim reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Had a superb day! Wish I had known about the forge earlier as it is very close to home and I definately intend to return. A very relaxed and fun day of Smithying followed by a night in one of the shepherds Huts. Really cosy place to relax and get away from it all. Recommend taking some food to cook (or something you have pre made) as the kitchen hut is really well equipped and the local area hasn't got a huge amount to offer in the way of restaurants. Highly recommend this as a gift or just as a day out... Already have plans to come back when my other half has another girls weekend away!"

16 Apr 16'

Dave reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Stop reading now and sign up for the course. I can not recommend any higher, very enjoyable day! My only regret was I only did one day, not two days. I was able to complete 3 projects with no prior experience. Nigel not only keeps your attention with stories of his travels around the world, all made possible with his unique Blacksmithing knowledge, but has a way of explaining how to do everything clearly and simply. Very relaxed atmosphere. No pressure to perform. You are shown the task then allowed to get on, with the comfort of assistance at anytime. I will definitely visit the forge again."

4 Apr 16'

James Mouser reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I attended a one day course as a 40th Birthday present from my Wife. What a fantastic experience. Nigel is certainly a skilled Blacksmith with a great sense of humour. The work shop itself has a variety of historic equipment that we simply don't make to the same quality these days. The course would suit all ages and sizes. A father and son and a more mature gentleman went on the course with me and all of us produced pieces we are proud of. Nigel broke down the process in to steps that were easy to follow and he adapted the course to suit the group. Starting slowly and gradually building up as we gained confidence. We certainly got a full day and got value for money. I do have one regret, that I didn't do a two day course!"

29 Mar 16'

Ben South reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I was given a day course with Nigel for my Christmas present this year. I've never done it before, but it was very good fun and I learned a lot in what was a solid day. Nigel certainly has some stories to tell and some very impressive creations to show. I thoroughly recommend course for anyone interested in making things themselves, it was really great fun."