Orchard Barn

Contact Name: Sarah Partridge

See all our course reviews

Address:
Orchard Barn
Bildeston Road
Ringshall, Stowmarket
Suffolk
IP14 2LY

Orchard Barn

What does this mean?

This craft course provider has been awarded Bronze status for receiving 1 or more 5 star ratings from previous students.

The Students' Choice award ensures that course providers get recognised for their efforts in the teaching and practice of UK craft.

They also allow tutors to gain valuable feedback on their courses and for new students to find the course that's right for them.

About Orchard Barn

My background as an organic small holder and yoga teacher have provided me with the skills and experience to manage this off-grid community project/centre. I love to build using low tech traditional methods that make good use of natural materials sourced directly from the local landscape. I look forward to welcoming you to Orchard Barn and enabling you to learn practical rural skills that will enhance your life and living environment ... learning from the past how to build a greener future.

Orchard Barn's Courses

An introduction to traditional timber framing

An introduction to traditional timber framing

In-person course

This introduction to traditional timber framing course is for complete beginners to traditional carpentry as a method of construction. Whether you are a home-owner who wants to learn how your timber frame is constructed, or you are looking at self-build, or you are a surveyor needing to understand the strength of the frame design, this course will provide you with the basics and more. Your tutor Rick Lewis has over 30 years of timber framing and runs his own Traditional Oak Carpentry business here in mid Suffolk. He has 10...

Shave horse making at Orchard Barn, Suffolk

Shave horse making at Orchard Barn, Suffolk

In-person course

Learn green woodworking skills at Orchard Barn. On this 3-day course you will construct a shave horse from scratch using traditional techniques and tools. Locally sourced green wood is used throughout. Your tutor, Will Wall has decades of experience of teaching, bodging and working with greenwood. Small group size (6) ensures plenty of individual time with the tutor. Learn how to make best use of equipment such as a shave horse and traditional hand tools - auger, side-axe, draw knife and plane. Make your own unique shave horse! This course...

Vernacular building - environmentally sound, small scale

Vernacular building - environmentally sound, small scale

In-person course

Lower your carbon footprint by learning traditional methods of converting earth into cob, daub or clay lump. Make your own earth sculpture to take home. Find out how to use coppice woodland materials in construction. Try your hand at using a shave horse and draw knife. This experience day shows you how our ancestors built with their local landscape in low-tech and sustainable ways. Building is fun and easy. Think small and local. Involve your friends and family. Celebrate a special event or birthday by having fun in our rural...