Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses reviews

Jessica reviewed: Tool sharpening

"I did this course a few days ago, I would recommend this course to anyone who would like to learn how to sharpen anything. Whether its clipper blades or knives or axes. The teacher Dave is extremely knowledgeable, lovely and very welcoming 😊"

Sue Carrott reviewed: Willow Hare Sculpture

"Thank you it was a lovely day, felt I accomplished something and it was a much needed distraction for me personally. "

Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses responded:

"Brilliant sue -huge thanks for coming was a pleasure to meet you both and good to see you again in the future x"

Tanya reviewed: Introduction to Greenwood Spoon Carving

"I had a really great experience on this course and came away with a new wealth of knowledge in green wood spoon carving. The lesson had a really good pace and I felt I was able to progress myself along without having to wait or feel like I was holding anyone up! Everyone was so nice and the whole day had a really calm and relaxed atmosphere to it. By the end I had a lovely spoon and the confidence to go out and have a go by myself. Cannot recommend enough. "

Eliot reviewed: Make a 3 legged rustic stool - one day

"Amazing course - first time doing this kind of thing and Dave was a great instructor, with Kay providing excellent support! Very happy with my stool and very tempted to do something more advanced in the future!"

Tracey Guymer reviewed: Tool sharpening

"On Sunday I was lucky enough to do a tool-sharpening workshop in Ecclesall Woods with tutor Dave. & being an outdoor class it was an extra bonus that it was actually a rare warm and sunny day! I enjoyed every minute of the workshop as Dave taught me how to sharpen my big choppy tools. It was like being on an episode of 'the repair shop' only better!! As Dave, the expert, was actually teaching and showing me how to restore my dad's beautiful old axe and mum's beautiful old billhook ... myself!! Dave was a really great tutor and immensely knowledgeable so I learned lots of interesting related facts along the way. He was also very kind and we didn't just sharpen my tools, we fixed them properly, restored them to their former glory and gave them a brand new lease of life! And now I can't wait to spend time fixing up, restoring and sharpening all my other old tools!!"

Jane reviewed: Woodland Botanical Cold Process Soap

"I really enjoyed this course and would highly recommend, thank you Rachel. "

Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you for the review Jane really appreciated, lovely to see you again and I wish you all the best on your future soaping escapades!! I’ll send you over those recipes on Wednesday kind regards, Rachel"

Martin Mullen reviewed: Tool sharpening

"A lovely day outside (under shelter). The course was led by Dave and he gave all of us (5 participants) a thorough yet comprehensive walkthrough on sharpening tools from axes to planes to hook knives. Do ensure you follow the course advice and wear appropriate clothing & wrap up warm."

Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses responded:

"Thanks for the great review Martin. Glad you had a good day !"

Pete Kelson reviewed: Tool sharpening

"Great course. Dave was presented with 5 'customers' whose interests in wood could not have been more varied. From mine, carving on a small scale, to someone else's, carpentry on a big scale. He helped us all by teaching how to sharpen planes, axes, carving knives, gouges, chisels and even hook knives. He taught me all that I needed to know about sharpening the tools I use as well as everybody else about what they use. He was happy for us to video him in his demonstrations. He showed us his technique but also other popular techniques. Great course. Great teacher. "

Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses responded:

"Thanks for the great review Pete. Glad you had a good day, great to meet you regards Dave !"

Andrew Kay reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"I took the full days bladesmithing course with Ian the blacksmith, and had a great time. Ian is a great teacher & communicator. I learnt a lot of new techniques with him. We put the world to rights whilst making my knife blade, and I came away with a much better knife than I ever expected to be able to make. The day flew by. Altogether an excellent experience & one that I would recommend to anybody"

Mitch reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"Iain is a very chatty and friendly person who was very patient with me, letting me go at a pace that I felt comfortable with and expertly guiding me to create a unique hand forged kitchen knife. A long day of hammering, sharpening and buffing but very enjoyable and worth the money. "

Matthew reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"It was a real privilege to learn firsthand from Iain as well as work with and within the historical grounds of the industrial Hamlet. Iain's course was thorough and well-guided and offered me a much sought-after hands-on experience using a real Victorian forge bashing metal out for the first time. Iain was also very patient and friendly and took to great lengths to show me the process and techniques it takes to forge a blade. I would say if you want a real authentic start-to-finish blacksmithing and forging experience, this would be it. I'd highly recommend it and I thank Iain for the opportunity too. "

Alix reviewed: Wreath Making

"Absolutely loved this course, we enjoyed the workshop and came home with gorgeous wreath, would definitely do this again and recommend to friends and family! "

Jess reviewed: Wreath Making

"Lovely experience, the staff were lovely and very helpful. Me and my mum had a great time, it felt very laid back and really festive and fun. "

Emma, Jenn & Charlotte reviewed: Wreath Making

"A fantastic workshop run by friendly staff & volunteers. We were shown how to start our wreaths with some handy hints and tips for making several different designs and we never felt rushed. Brilliant session and will be looking to book on again next year 🙂 thankyou for a great time and experience. "

Anna reviewed: Wreath Making

"Such a gorgeous session-perfect to get me in the Christmas spirit! I’ll be back next year! "

Sara reviewed: Wreath Making

"We had a fantastic morning making a Christmas Wreath. The staff were super helpful and it was all very well organised 😊"

Martine reviewed: Wreath Making

"Really enjoyed this course. It was indoors at the Woodland Centre (just as well given snow). We were given individual instructions & suggestions from the very helpful staff & volunteers. Gloves & secateurs were provided if you didn’t have them. There was lots of varied material to work with & I was delighted with the end result. Thank you"

CATHERINE MILLS reviewed: Wreath Making

"As a complete newbie to wreath making, I cannot thank the staff enough for all their patience, help and guidance. We had a fantastic time and a a fantastic wreath by the end of the session. "

Jill Johnson reviewed: Wreath Making

"Lovely time with the staff and other wreath makers who are always on hand to help. Very festive atmosphere."

Nicola Cook reviewed: Willow Angels

"The course and venue were both perfect. Having never worked with willow before. I found Rachel to be a really good instructor. She is very knowledgeable and her instruction were very clear as well as being at hand to provide support or answer any questions. Will definitely be doing another crafting session with her."

Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses responded:

"glad you had a good time Nicola looking forward to meeting again soon kind regards Rachel"

Jane reviewed: Willow Mini Reindeer & Christmas Tree

"Had great fun . Rachel was a brilliant. Would definitely recommend trying one of her courses "

Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses responded:

"Hi Jane glad you enjoyed yourself you made some lovely things hope the reindeer behaves himself! Kind regards Rachel "

Nancy reviewed: Willow Mini Reindeer & Christmas Tree

"The perfect day having fun with family. The teaching is excellent and the atmosphere is very friendly"

Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses responded:

"Hi Nancy glad you had fun lovely to see you and hope to see you again soon Rachel x"

Martin reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"Brilliant. I had an absolute blast with Iain learning about bladesmithing and blacksmithing whilst making a knife. The day went extremely quickly, you're definitely going to get out what you put in, I was knackered at the end! Iain is a great instructor with a clear passion for what he does and sharing his knowledge. Such a great experience that I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest, or anyone wanting to try something they've never done before. "

Shannon reviewed: Make a 3 legged rustic stool - one day

"The course was really enjoyable, with the right balance of challenge and support. The ratio of trainers to learners was excellent, and there was always someone to help so learners weren't stuck waiting for guidance or input. I learned a lot and the stool itself turned out well, thanks to the guidance of the facilitators. I'd definitely do this again! I was put at ease by the facilitators around the tasks and skills in general but the timing did end up slightly tight as the day continued. It could easily be a two-day course with more from-scratch work. However, the facilitators had done well to prepare materials ahead of time to balance the need to keep to time while also ensuring there was an opportunity for attendees to try our hands at each stage of the construction process. They were also happy to let us have a degree of choice of how much they helped us (timings allowing). The cafe on site had a good selection of drinks, snacks, and light meals suiting a range of dietary needs. The loos were clean, indoors, and easy to access from the crafting area. A small note that the gate to the drive serving the centre and car park was locked sometime between 16:10 and 17:00. This meant my lift wasn't able to get in and there's also a risk of getting locked in the car park unless leaving immediately after the course ends, as happened to a dog walker!"

Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses responded:

"Hello Shannon, thank you for your review. Much appreciated. The gate is always locked around 4 every night-and there are clear sign post to that effect ,but all our course tutors have keys to the gate and course attendees are fine to get out at whatever time the course finishes. I’m sorry if your tutor didn’t make you aware of that. Kind regards, Rachel"

Julie wilson reviewed: Mushroom Growing- Tubs

"Great activity. Very good value for money "