Fransham Forge reviews

13 Oct 17'

Shaun Dickson reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"What an marvelous day again at Fransham Forge . Nigel is an excellent tutor and a real character . He passes on his expert knowledge with skill and patience putting everyone at ease. I can recommend this course to everyone young or old. This is my third visit and each time I come away with new skills and ideas. Cant wait until the next time ."

10 Oct 17'

Simon and Karen Edwards reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My Wife and I did a one day course with Nigel about a month ago - Fantastic day! Nigel is a first class teacher with a laid back style and plenty of interesting stories to keep you going all day. We made some really useful and beautiful items. Didnt try the shepherd huts - but we did get a tour and they look lovely. Thanks Nigel - Im sure we will be back for more at some point. Simon & Karen"

25 Sep 17'

Gareth reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My wife paid for a two day course for me with an overnight stay in one of the shepherd huts and hand on heart it's the best birthday present I've ever had, I loved every minute of it. The first day we covered safety (of course) and basic skills - we made some fire tools which, when I look at them now, I'm still surprised I actually made them - they are better than I can find in the shops. On day 2 I wanted to make something I've had in mind for a while, a 2ft high piece of decorative steel that I could put up on my garage. Nigel was a constant source of ideas on how best to approach making it and came up with lots of short-cuts for me, even painting it for me at the end of the day as well! When I wanted to try and work it out for myself I had the freedom to do so, and when I needed help Nigel was there to guide me and assist. I've always wanted to have a go a forging, and now that I have I wish I'd done it years ago - I'm already planning a return trip to develop my skills."

24 Sep 17'

Clive Freeman reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I had a great day a Fransham Forge 22nd Sept 17. It had been a long while since I had done any metal working and had been looking for something different to do and spotted this one day course with Nigel. Was not sure what my abilities would be. Nigel is a very good teacher and made it look so easy, there were 3 other guys there 1 who had been before and 2 who were first timers like me. During the morning we see Nigel guide the 1st guy through more technical work, while teaching use other three the basics of metal working and how to do a basic point then a long tapering point which we then curled round to form the handle, a decorative alternating twist was then added to to the main shaft of the poker. We also made a B&Q scraper the blade on this was beat out using one of the power hammers with Nigel's 1 to 1 guidance. I had asked when I booked and if he thought my skill was up to it on the day, was to make some scroll legs for a out door small coffee table. Which we did do in the afternoon and that was good, Nigel showed all of us how to do a scroll on a former then gave me the other 4 pieces of flat bar and said work your heat along where you need it, then worked with the other guys and keep checking on me make sure I was ok. That was enjoyable and excellent to be able to produce the four legs nearly the same as Nigel's. I will be looking to try and go back again to learn more from a very good teacher."

18 Sep 17'

Karen & Vic Clark reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I bought a 1 day Blacksmith workshop for my fathers b'day present and decided to try my hand at it too. We had never done anything like this before so did not really know what to expect with regards to our ability. With Nigel's expert tuition we were able to produce 6 great pieces each - a poker, small shovel (we prefer to call a "Burger Flipper" as we intend to use it on the BBQ), a decorative jam pot spoon, a pot, key ring and a beautiful poppy. We thoroughly enjoyed our day, loved Nigel's stories of work he had done and the people he had met along his journey. Many friends have seen our creations and been surprised at how great they are considering we are total beginners. If you are considering doing this workshop - my advice would be to give it a go. I'm sure you will surprise yourself and you will have a day to remember. Happy Forging ."

5 Sep 17'

Kelvin reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"This was my second time at the forge, this time with my 15 year old son. We both had a fantastic time, my son made several things that he is very proud of, the only problem is I now regularly have to share my modest home forge with him as he's so enthused after a day with Nigel! With Nigel's help and guidance I was able to complete a sculpture that turned out very well and will take pride of place in our garden. Also Nigel very generously changed the set-up of one of his large presses to dome a very thick piece of steel I had brought with me that I could do a particular project at home that would otherwise have been impossible for me to do. This trip to the forge (staying in the shepherd's huts) was intended as the high spot of our holiday and it certainly was, once again I'm hoping to return again in the not too distant future."

4 Sep 17'

Darren reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"A fantastic day ! Bought a one day course for my son's 13th birthday - his choice - and he had the most amazing day. Nigel is clearly a superb craftsman but he also has a passion for passing his knowledge on. My son received just the right balance of tuition combined with plenty of hands-on time with an emphasis on creating his own work. He left having created more than he ever expected and everyone he has shown his creations to (pretty much everyone he sees !!) has hardly believed he made them. He had lots of time working on his own with input from Nigel when he was unsure or he got to trickier parts. Lots of explaining from Nigel, especially when they undertook really tricky parts together. My son has learnt a lot about the ways in which metal behaves and the vast possibilities of what can be made. He has already planned his next visit. Perfectly OK for Dad to have a go too - which left me very happy !!"

26 Aug 17'

Thomas Pickering reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"excellent few days, Nigel was is an excellent tutor and an expert in his field. a real and true craftsman in every sense of the word. i was given free reign to produce whatever i could conceive, (within reason) with nigels help i was able to produce 2 damascus steel knifes. ten out of ten across the board."

21 Aug 17'

Salamander Stoves Ltd. reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just back from an amazing course at Fransham Forge. Nigel is an excellent teacher and a fabulous blacksmith. We all had a brilliant time and came away with an immense amount of knowledge, our metal creations and broad smiles. I would highly recommend this course for anyone with a slight interest in metal working. Thanks again Nigel. 5*****"

19 Aug 17'

Brian Wakelee reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Nigel is an excellent instructor and a very talented gentleman! The Forge was great and the tooling that was on hand was nothing short of Amazing. There were obviously the basic tools of the trade (Anvils, Tongs, Hammer, Forges) however Nigel had Some heavy duty tooling that you just have to see to believe! The course was setup to lead you through the basic forging techniques and to show you how to progress as you become more comfortable. I am a machinist and welder by trade and have very briefly touched on blacksmithing throughout my career, however nothing that has sparked my interest like this course! I was only available to attend one day of the course, however if I could have spent a week at the forge I would happily have done so! Again, if you are even remotely interested (and by reading this review, I suspect that you are) Don't wait any longer! Get signed up and get into the ancient, magical, and mystical world of blacksmithing! You wont regret it! V/R Brian Wakelee"

22 Jul 17'

Sarah Betts reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Amazing. I spent two days working with Nigel, who is as supportive and compassionate as he is skilled. I had never attempted any metal work before, but with his guidance and knowledge -- I made some wonderful gifts for my parents. The area surrounding the forge is astonishingly beautiful and is decorated with a whole manner of unique and inspiring sculptures and shepherd huts (as well as a tipi). Overall an unmissable and unforgettable experience."

16 Jul 17'

Martin Corrall reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Really enjoyed my one day course - a great introduction to the ancient craft of blacksmithing. Nigel Barnett is an engaging, patient and skilled teacher as well as a Master of his art. The surrounding wood is a fascinating place bedecked with metal creations and the forge is equipped with multiple forges, anvils, endless tools and some seriously big power hammers. I was completely exhausted but went away very happy at the end of this most enjoyable day. Thank you Nigel."

10 Jul 17'

Mark Jutsum reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My wife bought me a voucher for Christmas to spend the day in Fransham Forge and it turned out to be one of the best Christmas presents I ever had! I have never tried any metal work before but from the moment I arrived, I was put at ease and made very welcome. Nigel Barnett is a very approachable, very patient and very skilled as a master blacksmith. My wife and I stayed for two nights in the shepherds hut (gypsy caravans) on site which was idyllic. The huts are in a quiet forest clearing with all the facilities on site including a kitchen area, showering room and flushing loo etc. To get to these (which are close by) you cross an iron bridged stream, which is very quaint. For those who want to wild camp there is a composting toilet available. The grassed forest clearing gives you space to play outdoor games if you wish and to cook on the various BBQs, fire pits etc provided. Its a great place for families too as there are peacocks and chickens roaming and large sculptures among the woodland. The forge is a working forge with many projects ongoing from small hinges to port cullis iron gates for castles. Working at the forge starts at 8am and finishes around 6pm and during this time instruction and tuition is given to you in basic or advanced levels depending on your previous experience. I came away with 4 items, all included in the cost. My wife was so impressed with my items that at first she didn't believe I'd made them (with a little help from Nigel). These are all yours to take home as a souvenir of your day. I highly recommend it, in fact I taking my friends and going back. Nigel has a show room/shop where you can purchase many items all beautifully made on site."

9 Jul 17'

Martin Rivett reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Excellent 2 day course. Full of forging and Nigel's anecdotes. Not only did I make 6 + items, thanks to Nigel's training they where of fantastic quality. Cannot recommend enough, going again in September. If you fancy learning an excellent skill, book now."

9 Jul 17'

Ross Kirby reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Would definitely recommend this course to anyone wanting to experience the amazing work of a blacksmith - even if you're an absolute beginner like myself! I took a two-day course (Friday to Saturday) and I was lucky enough to be able to stay and sleep in the teepee Nigel had built (which was awesome by the way and surprisingly bug-free if you keep a nice fire going!). Nigel's teaching was absolutely superb, I was nervous but incredibly excited on Day 1 and Nigel's funny stories and down-to-earth sense of character helped take the edge off the nerves and enabled me to focus on metalworking and to enjoy every moment spent at the Fransham Forge. At the end of Day 1, I was fortunate enough to finish with three pieces - a fire poker (which had both a twist and alternating twist design along with scroll work) a spade (which also had scroll work) and a pendant in the shape of a leaf. I had never chanced my arm at any form of blacksmithing before, so I was very proud to have these pieces finished at the end of Day 1! Nigel's form of teaching really encourages you to enjoy working the forges with a bit of freedom and not feel pressured by time or skill; Nigel was very supportive and any questions you had he could answer in detail. On day 2, Nigel encouraged us to begin creating projects of our own - which I thought was an amazing opportunity to explore what you can do with support from an amazing teacher. I really want to become a Swordsmith one day, so I thought I'd start small and create a Viking Utility Knife; which would have been used for slicing, carving or cutting. Nigel's form of teaching enabled me to have some freedom whilst working the forge, but he always checked on me to see how I was doing and gave me tips here and there whilst I was working the high carbon steel he had cut for me to use. By the end of Day 2, I had managed to successfully hand-forge not one, but two Viking Utility Knives. As I said earlier, I had never chanced my arm at any form of blacksmithing before - so I am incredibly proud of what I achieved with support from Nigel and I am incredibly grateful; as Nigel has made me more determined to pursue a career in blacksmithing and hopefully one day successfully become a Swordsmith. Even though the electricity had been cut in order to trim trees (which had been growing around the power lines) and poor Nigel was left with the workshop door three quarters open and with no power for a little while during the beginning of Day 1, we stil managed to get forging. I also took the opportunity to explore Nigel's gallery and admire all the metalwork he had done - which by the way is abosolutely breathtaking. Nigel's perception of life in metal is truly inspirational and captivating, all the twisting and turning, patterns and the forgework all done by hand coagulate and form beautiful essences of life that we sometimes take for granted every day. A big thank you to Nigel for teaching me and encouraging me to pursue my dream of hopefully becoming a blacksmith and a sworsdsmith one day. Another big thank you as well to Nigel's friend who I have forgotten the name of but helped keep the blacksmiths hydrated with coffee and tea! A really wonderful course and an incredible teacher - I hope whoever reads this is captivated by what Fransham Forge has to offer and chances their arm at blacksmithing for a couple of days - it was so much fun and I'm so happy I had the opportunity to go and do something constructive and creative!"

9 Jul 17'

Thoma family reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just returned from a fantastic family weekend break at Fransham Forge. Did a one day course as a whole family treat (kids aged 16 and 14 yrs), and had a great time. Nigel was endlessly patient, and made sure that we all came away feeling that we'd achieved impressive results. Staying in the Shepherds' huts was perfect - such a tranquil and secluded setting in the woods. Just a shame we didn't bring any musical instruments to have a sing along around the camp fire."

12 Jun 17'

Kelvin reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"In order to review it is very hard to come up with words that haven’t already been used by other reviewers! My course was a birthday present from my partner who has given me many very lovely and thoughtful gifts........this was simply the best ever! As soon as we met Nigel the night before (we stayed in a Shepherd’s hut on site) it was clear this was going to be a fun and informative experience. He had stayed on after hours to wait for our arrival and took us on a tour of the forge and grounds which are an excellent showcase for some of his work. Nigel is a man with great talent, boundless energy and a very generous nature, clearly putting back a lot into society. After a great night’s sleep in the shepherds hut the day began with safety information (but presented in a non boring way) followed by a little chat on history, some advice on anvil height, choice of hammer and how to hold it. Nigel then demonstrated some technique then we were immediately able to try it out on our own anvils. If anyone had any fear of “failure” that would have been immediately dispelled by Nigel making comments such as “there are no mistakes, only design changes”. If the work didn’t go as planned Nigel was always on hand to help correct it. Once we had experienced hand forging we were introduced to the use of the power hammer (of which there are many in the forge)........I had been worried that my arm would be aching by the end of the day but a combination of being taught the right technique and use of the power hammers meant that my arm was fine.......but I went home with aching ribs as a result of laughing more in a day than I normally do in a month! Nigel has a seemingly endless fund of stories and anecdotes from his rich and varied life, they just keep coming during the course of the day. I came home with several items I am proud of and it won’t be long before I book for another course. If you are still reading this, don’t spend too much time thinking about booking yourself on a course, just do it, right now!"

11 Jun 17'

Lewis reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Did one day course with Nigel yesterday and loved it,one of the funniest blokes I've ever met!! Will be going again for sure because I'm now in love with power hammers!! Get it booked people you won't regret it!!!!"

3 Jun 17'

Steve reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Went to a beginner blacksmith's 1 day course today and had a excellent time. Nigel is a fantastic teacher and a master of his craft. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is interested in learning. Thank you."

1 Jun 17'

Superb course reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Spent a Friday course with my brother in May. Nigel is a great host, knows his stuff, and has loads of stories. Lovely place to do the course and made some useful items. Had a great day."

20 May 17'

Shane Murphy reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Thanks Nigel best course I've ever been on great tutor see you soon"

14 May 17'

James Richardson reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Incredible weekend - I did the one day course and stopped the night before in one of the cosy Shepherds huts. Nigel is a top bloke and excellent teacher who was able to get us making interesting pieces straight away with varying techniques. The forge and its surroundings are really special and I hope to go back soon. Even with no prior metal work experience I recommend this course."

7 May 17'

Claire Owen reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"An absolutely fantastic day, Nigel is truly inspirational his enthusiasm is infectious.I had a brilliant day making my poker,shovel acorn key ring and a bowl , Nigel guided us without interfering with patience and energy .He has so many funny stories from his life he shared throughout the day.Ican not recommend this course enough I haven't ever done anything like this before but Nigel makes it excessible for everyone. Thankyou Nigel."

7 May 17'

Ben reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I would like to start by breaking this honest review into three parts. That will be the course, the venue and finally the tuition. To start with the course Nigel got us to make a poker and coal shovel to try out basic techniques. I should add we were both total novices. After this we made a small pot, an acorn key ring and a very delicate leaf necklace. These were the pre-planned so to speak but we had the option at any point if we had something in mind we wanted to build. He taught us not just how to work the metal but also some history as to why. Now the venue. This place has it all, and I mean all. It has a workshop that has every tool you need for whatever task you need whether it is small work like we did or big forges and power hammers. Not only is the forge well equipped but at lunch there's a small forest to walk around where he keeps some of his art, shepherds huts and some lovely old engines and not to mention a little bit of wildlife to boot. It is only short ride off a main road so easy to get to. Finally we get on to the tuition. All I can really say is this is a top class bloke. Once your working he is not over bearing but will not let you struggle and if you do cock up he repairs it in no time. The lessons were informative but more important fun and when everyone was doing ok he rocked out with some pipe instrument. I'm 30 and was in there with an old boy so this course is for all ages and I am already trying to think of what I can make next time. So to finish this off I would say fantastic price for a day where you learn, have fun and even take home some items you made. Thank you Nigel."

30 Apr 17'

Simon nunn reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My sister in law and brother in law got the one day introduction course for my son for a Christmas present. I'm glad to say that Both myself and my brother in law went along and had a fantastic day so much so we are in the process of booking a two day session and all three of us cannot wait. Thank you Nigel"