Rustic Carpentry reviews

13 Oct 19'

Kamal Bhana reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I bought this rustic stool making experience as a gift for my husband's birthday. We absolutely loved it and had such a wonderful day. We learned a lot about carpentry, wood and different techniques. The best part is that we got to take away a pair of beautiful, handmade stools which are now stunning bedside tables in our guest room. The whole day was thoroughly enjoyable with Ian and his partner, Sabina. Ian is a fantastic teacher. He explained everything we needed to do really clearly and was helpful and attentive throughout. We would highly recommend this course! We can't say enough great things about it! We loved every minute."

10 Oct 19'

Dean & Sian reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"We did this course for our 5th year anniversary (wood being the theme), and it was brilliant! Ian was very welcoming, he was encouraging and very passionate about what he does, which was great to be a part of. We learnt traditional woodworking techniques and had the pleasure of using traditional tools throughout the day, which really made you connect with the wood and what you were creating. Using the traditional techniques made it harder work, but so much more rewarding. We left the day feeling really proud of the bench we had made, also aching, but more importantly smiling from ear to ear over what we had achieved. We have great memories of the day every time we sit on our new oak bench and would recommend this to anyone who wants a good day out!"

5 Oct 19'

Alex reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I would highly recommend Ian's oak stool making course - I took my Dad for his birthday and we all had a great time. Ian was very friendly and helpful and we all learnt new skills! It was very satisfying to bring an oak stool home. Thanks very much Ian!"

3 Oct 19'

Ranak reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian's workshop was amazing, we took my father for his birthday and we were blown away by how much fun we had. Ian was very patient when showing us the different ways to create the stool and the day was paced really well. The stools we made were amazing quality and it was a really enjoyable experience! It was also really interesting learning more about woodworking and the different techniques involved, I would highly recommend this course! Thanks for an amazing day, we really enjoyed it!"

1 Oct 19'

Julie Helliwell reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"I purchased my husband a course for two from Ian. I must admit I was nervous about joining him but we had the most wonderful day. Ian is a patient and calm tutor of his beloved craft. The bench is absolutely lovely and is admired by everyone who sees it. I can recommend this course 100%."

1 Sep 19'

christina chin reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"We had a fantastic experience doing this course with Ian. Perfectly structured course, firstly learning how to make a mallet and then transferring the skills to making an absolutely beautiful stool each. We are so happy with our stools in our home. Ian is a fantastic teacher and a really interesting man - we really enjoyed his company for the day. Thank you again!!"

22 Jul 19'

Paul Butterworth reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Had a really enjoyable time crafting with Ian, would highly recommend this experience as even with no woodworking skills I came away with a lovely stool and a mallet."

19 Jun 19'

Andy Baguley reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Fantastic day with Ian who was a great instructor with patient advice, tips and a good sense of humour. Thoroughly recommend Ian and the courses he offers... and I have a great stool and mallet too!"

14 Jun 19'

Murphy reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"The oak stool making workshop was excellent. The entire day was paced well, with a nice balance of hands-on instruction and space to work. Ian's instructions were clear and straight forward, and he was very encouraging throughout. The learning curve was handled well, even for someone who hasn't really done anything like this before, and it was left up to us how intricate or involved we wanted our final design to be. The quality of the final product is very high; it would certainly be something I would have wanted to purchase in a shop, but with the added bonus that I carved it myself! I'm very interested in pursuing this craft further, and would definitely work with Ian on further courses."

7 May 19'

Anonymous reviewed: Make your own green woodworking 'Shave Horse' from Oak & Ash

"Ian fitted me in at short notice with a condensed day, which worked out well for both of us I think. Fantastic day of learning yet more new skills and came away with a great new device which I was very pleased with. The only small issue now, is finding some spare cash for all the new tools I want to buy. Well recommended and a good development from the rustic stool course for those wanting to learn a bit more."

27 Apr 19'

Graham Deakin reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"My wife gave me the bench making experience as a gift. In fact we worked together on it. Ian has everything ready and supplied some lovely oak pieces for the seat and back. We used ash for the legs and chestnut for the back supports. We used traditional hand tools to do the shaping and smoothing. The result was super and now sits proudly in our garden. Ian was helpful and patient. Our arms and shoulders were aching, but we had a rewarding day and a bench that should outlive us. Thanks Ian."

13 Apr 19'

Emma & Graham reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"We both had a great day and learnt so much. Ian was a really good tutor, very encouraging and helpful. I would highly recommend this course for its therapeutic effects as much as for the finished products which we were really pleased with. Thank you Ian!"

3 Apr 19'

Dave & Bec reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"What a fantastic day! I bought this for my wife as a Christmas gift, and we got to take it on a sunny Mother's Day. Ian taught us so much and gave us the skills to make a lovely bench. A full day and we definitely caught the bug--we will be back to make more in the future. Definitely recommend--you won't be disappointed!"

30 Mar 19'

Sam reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"This half a day, short course is easily one of the best experiences I have ever had the pleasure of undertaking. Whilst growing up and being in the countryside I have always wondered what craftsmen are still producing this fantastic, rural woodwork. Ian is one of these craftsmen and has an impressive knowledge of 'the way of the grain'! Coming from a background in product design and typically working with machinery, it was an absolute joy to be able to connect with the materials on a more personal level and really gain a much deeper insight into what you are working with. Ian was a brilliant and encouraging teacher who I am grateful to for opening up his rustic workshop to the public. I've left the course feeling inspired and can't wait to get back at it."

29 Mar 19'

Anonymous reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"An excellent day with Ian, making oak stool. Enjoyed meeting fellow 'trainees' Sam and Ian. Learned a lot, really practical day, and I really enjoyed Ian's teaching style, keep sit simple, is very encouraging and let us get on with it. Already planning what else I could come back and do. To cap it all, weather was magnificent for March, well worth the money and drive down from Manchester. Thanks Ian."

16 Mar 19'

Margaret reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Just back from making a oak stool, what a great day enjoyed every minute of it. And very pleased with the stool, Ian was very helpful and didn't rush us, fed us coffee and biscuits to keep energy levels up Thank you for a great day Margaret"

16 Mar 19'

Kim Liggins reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I have just spent the most fabulous day making my oak stool. Ian is the perfect tutor who shows you what to do then lets you do it. He is very gentle in his approach and not rushed, letting you take the time you need to complete each part of the process. He is very encouraging and helpful when you get stuck or as in my case need more muscle. I would highly recommend this course for its therapeutic effects as much as for the finished product. I had no woodworking skills before the course but I have learnt so much. Very rewarding, thank you Ian."

3 Mar 19'

Stuart reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Yesterday I spent a very enjoyable few hours with Ian and a couple of fellow gift voucher recipients. It was a great day, with a very knowledgeable Ian passing on some of his years of expertise. After making a mallet out of a log to returning home with a very robust stool...much to my family's pleasant surprise. I would recommend the course and enjoyed meeting my fellow stool-makers too."

17 Feb 19'

Rachel Rowlands reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"My husband and I had the most amazing day making a beautiful garden bench. Going from chunks of wood and branches to a bench to be proud of was frankly astounding. Ian was really helpful and full of knowledge. The day was so relaxing and it was great to learn new skills. Next time we’ll come back with the kids! Thank you Ian!!"

2 Feb 19'

Lawrence standen reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"Fantastic way to spent a cold winter day. A warm fire to walk to before starting then offerings all day of hot drinks. Then comes the course. A delight for any ecoerince of woodwork or enthusiast. Starting with making a rustic wooden mallet from locally sourced ash from bradgate making it with hand tools. Then making a stool with it and the tools from wood also sourced from bradgate. Help all the way and the experience of his carpentry skills and knowledge is incredible. Reccomend for all!!!"

30 Jan 19'

Karen Hall reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"My other half bought me this as a Christmas gift. I didn't know what to expect really, but Ian's passion was a joy to see, he was very informative and helpful, and the course was great fun, I really enjoyed the whole experience. The stool I made now takes pride of place in our living room. Thanks Ian. PS would totally recommend this workshop."

20 Jan 19'

Natalie Cunningham reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"We’ve just got back from spending the most amazing day with Ian in his beautiful barn crafting our 2 Oak/Elm stools. As soon as we drove up to the farm, Ian was there welcoming us with a big smile and a wave and put us at ease straight away. We were complete novices and we still can’t quite believe we’ve managed to make real pieces of furniture, and that they actually look really really good! Huge thank you to Ian. It was brilliant to spent the day with you and Becky - we’ve caught the carpentry bug!"

5 Jan 19'

Annie reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I have just spent the day with Ian in his beautiful old barn (wearing many layers) and made the most lovely bespoke stool, a thing of real beauty. Ian is very laid back, but his knowledge and enthusiasm shine through, his positive encouragement makes you want to deliver the very best stool, his technique to get you to make an extra item (secret) to practice the skills required is really very beneficial and a total add on to the day. I can't recommend highly enough as a novice I have amazed my self at what I have produced, I will be going back to make a garden bench. Ian thank you."

21 Dec 18'

Chris reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I had a great day with Ian teaching me to create a truly unique stool. He is a genuine and enthusiastic exponent of his trade and it was a privilege to have his mentorship. Would thoroughly recommend the experience and my little boy loves his new stool too."

4 Dec 18'

Robert Kemp reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed the day' course with Ian. He is a really friendly guy with bags of experience, enthusiasm and encouragement. It was very satisfying to make the stools and mallets from raw wood with basic hand tools. Both stools look great at home and are useful furniture to have a round. I would recommend this course."