Traditional & contemporary craft courses in north Wales
handmade by you in
wernog wood
Blacksmithing - an introduction to the forge
See course details, dates, costs, tutors & stories from students below
Award winning Rich Jones from Heat & Beat will guide you through the ancient skills of blacksmithing, learning the elementary techniques needed to form and forge steel.
Over two days, you will make simple but beautifully crafted items for everyday use and a memory that will stay with you forever. Using hammers, traditional hand tools and a forge, you will learn about upsetting your metal and drawing it down, chiselling, doming and using the horn of your anvil to forge various shapes into your hot steel.
See course dates for details of design options on different dates. These simple but challenging designs will give you plenty to learn over the two days and an opportunity to try a wide variety of techniques.
23-24 October 2021
Fire poker & hooks
4-5 December 2021
Door knocker & door pull
If you would like to make certain items but the dates don't suit,
let us know as there is possibility for us to change these around.
Other options include a hanger for flower basket or bird feeder
£245 - Tuition fees
(plus £30 course materials)
Tea, coffee and simple lunch included in your course price
We also offer accommodation & evening meals
Click here to see what we offer
This course is aimed at adults, aged 18yrs + and is suitable for beginners to those with experience
Rich Jones is an artist blacksmith from Heat & Beat in Dyserth, North Wales. His blacksmithing began in Llandudno & then Herefordshire College of Blacksmithing. On completing his studies, he did his Journeyman in Gdansk, Poland & later in France. He returned to an apprenticeship in Wales before setting up his own company in 2000.
Since establishing Heat & Beat, Rich has produced a huge range of work from public art commissions to bespoke gates, railing and restoration. The distinctive style of his work draws its inspiration from nature’s forms and shapes, which he combines with his love of geometric forms and structure.
His work can be seen at various well-known landmarks along the Clwydian Range in north Wales. These include an all-seeing crow perched on simple gate leading up to the iron-age fort of Castell Dinas Brân; and the benches and gates on Moel Famau, just a hill or two from Wernog Wood… and of course many more…
Stories from our students
I’ve been lucky enough to take part in a superb weekend attending a blacksmithing course at the ever welcoming Wernog Wood, with perfect hosts Claire & Rob and the talented and patient tutor Rich.
Incredibly I’ve come away with a beautiful poker and metal hook in two days.
Great company ,great homemade food, great location
- Amanda
Ridiculously pleased with myself - thank you for an amazing experience. If you ever get the chance to do something at Wernog Wood - do it!
- Nicky
We had a fantastic two days supported by Rich who was patient, supportive and knowledgable.
Claire thank you for the organisation and delightful alfresco lunches.
We also met new friends from throughout North Wales and the South of England.
Diolch yn Fawr - Wendy
When Rich said we were going to make a poker like that we couldn't believe it, but we did. About 12 different processes of beating and twisting and pounding.
Thoroughly inspired by our tutor Rich. He had a way of skilfully tweaking and overseeing our work as we did it so that we produced a good quality item whilst feeling it was all our own work.
Brilliant fun and an awesome place - Clare