Fransham Forge reviews

22 Sep 15'

Nick reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Had a fantastic time and has inspired me to start a career in becoming a blacksmith!"

22 Sep 15'

Peter Hibbit reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I attended the single day course and had a great time. It was great to be in a working blacksmiths rather than in a classroom like environment, so I was able to see other work going on around us. I made 5 things in the single day. During lunch I was able to wander around the wood and look at the art work. A great day!"

24 Aug 15'

Oscar Gray reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Another fantastic day! Thankyou to Nigel again. Looking forward to coming back."

21 Aug 15'

Tony Howe reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I spent three days on the course at Fransham Forge and I cannot praise it enough. Nigel was an excellent teacher ensuring that safety was paramount he made me feel very welcome and I learnt a great deal. I made several useful objects learning several different skills as I did so. I was then able to manufacture something's of my own choosing and by the end I felt like I had lots of new knowledge and skills. I also enjoyed staying in the shepherds hug on site, it was well kitted out and cosy."

18 Aug 15'

Andrew reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Recently completed a two day course which was purchased as a birthday present. Had a fantastic time, made all the better by Nigel 's friendliness and his knowledge of how to work the metal and tutoring style. After having made a poker and bottle opener I then managed to make a bird bath. Thoroughly enjoyed the two days and would recommend it to anyone."

16 Aug 15'

Aaron Symonds reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I had a wonderful time at the forge and i would definitely do it again, it was good fun with really nice people. Nigel is a great guy with plenty of stories and cups of tea."

5 Aug 15'

Oscar Gray reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Absolutely FANTASTIC 2 days! Nigel is a brilliant teacher with really clear demonstration of techniques and leaves plenty of scope for you to put your own twist on things. Really looking forward to going back!"

21 Jul 15'

Maggy Lovell reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"The course was a birthday present and I really enjoyed my day at the forge. Nigel is a very good teacher with lots of interesting tales to tell. I came home with a set of four fire irons, including hooks to hang them, for our new wood burner. I would recommend the course to anyone who is practical."

18 Jul 15'

Kate and Steve reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"If your looking for a different way to spend a day and come away with something other than just a memory , get yourself and your friends along to see Nigel. I've never seen my wife have so much fun with a hammer and red hot metal. Nigel is not just a great teacher, story teller but really really good chap. Take time to enjoy the art exhibition in the woods our favourite piece was the unzipped railway sleeper, followed closely my the giant flute!"

7 Jul 15'

Dennis Cooper reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I have recently spent two remarkable days with Nigel at Fransham Forge. Nigel certainly has a special gift for Blacksmithing and his courses are packed with no nonsense instruction & extremely helpful advice. All my questions were answered in depth, addressing issues I had not even considered. It was a wonderful opportunity to watch him at work & then benefit from his encouragement & patience as I attempted to create my own piece of artwork. With his knowledge & guidance he will take you as far as you can go & even a little further than you imagined possible. Unbelievably I did manage to produce a copy of an "Ammonite set in rock", that my wife had spotted ( & always coveted ) after a visit to the Forge's shop. I cannot thank Nigel enough for letting me have a go at such a difficult project. It has earned me lots of "Brownie Points" Honestly, I had an amazing two days & worth every penny of the course fee."

21 Jun 15'

scott/ryan reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Nigel thankyou .a great day Its nice to know that people are still willing to give time to others. we both had a great day.Made a poker and shovel which was good .Made a small acorn key ring . inthe afternoon he asked any ideas of what we would like to make. after some thought made a lantern stand. in learning some skills in the morning we started .in the forge we heated some square bar and done some twisted on one end we curved a arc of 7 inches and heated up end and flattened and made a leaf. Then some round bar same leaf on one end.we then run the bar though a air hammer along to give texture then we wrapped them shorter bars around the main square upright. the base is made from a round cultivator disc which underneath we welded three round balls on for feet.with some squashed tube and a big washer which we hammered impression into .then welded the uprights and wrapped the other leaves around the main square . looks great and a big Thankyou See you soon . Ryan my son has been so inspired he is seriously pursuing a career as an Blacksmith artist Thank you"

14 Jun 15'

Niki Williamson reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just been on a two day course with Nigel which was fantastic. On the second day we made a big dandelion garden sculpture which I'm really pleased with. Nigel is very enthusiastic and passionate about the blacksmithing craft and I would highly recommend his course."

13 Jun 15'

Ann Oxby reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My husband and I have recently returned from doing a one day course with Nigel. We enjoyed making the poker and shovel. Would have been great if we were able to discuss and make a simple item of our choice later in the day. Shepherds hut very comfortable for a nights stay."

24 May 15'

Alex reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Absolutely fantastic course, nigel is exactly what I was looking for in a tutor. I can't wait to go back and visit the forge again, all blacksmithing aside nigel is a very genuine and interesting guy. I'm also glad to have met him as I know he'll be there to help me with any questions I may have in the future. Alex, 20"

20 Apr 15'

Richard Groom reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I have just done a two-day course with Nigel. A very busy first day learning the skills to produce introductory pieces, then an even busier second day learning more skills to produce a garden sculpture. The finished results were better than I would have dreamed possible thanks to the tuition from Nigel and his team. My wife and I stayed in one of the shepherd's huts which was very cosy. (She went bird watching and we met up in the evenings.) We rounded off an extremely enjoyable weekend with a barbeque on the Saturday evening. It was an excellent course and I would recommend it to anyone. We would love to go back."

17 Apr 15'

Sam Mutten reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Absolutely brilliant day!! I attended the course today and I can tell you I will be going again. Nigel has a wealth of knowledge and both him and his colleagues were a pleasure to work with. Best £150 I've ever spent!!!"

12 Apr 15'

Karl reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Thanks for yesterday's course that you did for our teenage son. He really enjoyed it and staying the night as a family gave us all some really lovely time."

28 Mar 15'

Keith Franklin reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I have just attended a 2-day course with Nigel and it was excellent. Not only is Nigel a great tutor he is passionate about his craft and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to impart. He provides an insightful history of blacksmithing/forging, and has some great stories/experiences to share. First day made some set pieces, poker, toasting fork, two desktop paperweights and a keying. The second day was more freeform being able to create your own design or replicating one of the many items in his gallery. He is patient and guides you at a level/pace based on your capabilities. Very well equipped workshop with a huge range of equipment and machines, and even got a go on the power hammer. Great to get away from the stress of the day to day job and relax doing some very enjoyable rewarding work, (beating some hot metal with a hammer is a great stress release) and very pleased with the items that I made. I would definitely recommend Nigel to anyone thinking of having a go at blacksmithing. Thank you Nigel."

16 Mar 15'

Brett Cissell reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I did a 1 day course in blacksmithing with Nigel at Fransham Forge in March 2015. I was able to craft a firepoker, firespade, bottle opener and a key ring. Nigel clearly explained the process to follow and was always avalible for assistance. I am extremely pleased with the end results, being a finer quality then I was expecting. If you already have an idea of what you would like to make during your time, Nigel is very accommodating. I would definitely recommend this course as it is a unique and fun experience."

12 Mar 15'

Jonathan reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I recently spent a most enjoyable day with Nigel and one other would be blacksmith. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I was not disappointed in any way Nigel is an excellent teacher, calm and patient. His knowledge and enthusiasm for his craft is inspiring. I was delighted to return home with several pieces of work which, with a bit of help, I was able to complete. It was great to have a fellow student to compare progress and skill. Many thanks Nigel I will call in again and say hello when I am in the area."

14 Feb 15'

Be Lindsay reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My partner purchased a 1 day course as my Christmas gift and she has her work cutout to top it: it was, in a word, outstanding. Nigel is an incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating man whose impresive skills at working metal into works of art are equalled by his teaching abilities and story telling. You will not be disappointed and I would whole-heartedly recommend a day at Fransham Forge (you may even get to meet George and Peter who are quite a laugh too!). I will definitely be back."

27 Nov 14'

Stuart King reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I have just attended a 2-day course with Nigel and it was absolutely fantastic. I have a reasonably stressful job and I was able to completely switch off and think of nothing but what I was doing. Nigel is a top chap and I loved hearing his stories. I was very lucky as the first day was 1 on 1 with Nigel and then on the second day a couple joined. However, this did not detract from the attention Nigel gave me, he just moved around a bit faster! We made some great pieces and Nigel was very patient in explaining what to do. I stayed overnight in one of the shepherd huts in the grounds which was lovely and warm and cosy. When I left I was so relaxed and recharged ready to face the daily grind of work again. I thoroughly enjoy myself and will definitely be back. Thank you Nigel."

26 Nov 14'

Shaun McCabe reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"The 1 day blacksmithing course I did with Nigel was brilliant and he is an absolute character! His stories were hilarious and he was so welcoming. Me and my girlfriend stayed the night of the 7th November in one of Nigel's shepherds huts, despite the cold weather it was perfectly warm and cosy! The next morning we started, this being my first try at blacksmithing I was eager to learn but also a little worried about what I'd be able to achieve in 1 day. Nigel has a fantastic knowledge and I felt completely comfortable even as a beginner! He let me know it was totally up to me what I wanted to make and although I hadn't come along with any ideas his shop is full of plenty!! Spent a lot of time actually at the forge as it was 1 on 1, a lot more than I thought I would which was definitely a bonus, another bonus was using the power hammers! I enjoyed the day so much I'm going back to college to learn it as a profession. 10/10."

21 Aug 14'

J Muskett reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I spent the weekend at Fransham Forge with a couple of mates on the one day course which needless to say was our only regret, we should've booked the two day course! Nigel's knowledge of the art and his patience as a tutor were excellent made the whole experience unforgettable. Whilst working in the forge we had a great laugh, made some really good stuff that we could take back home and use and definitely appreciated Nigel's awareness of safety on site. The accomodation is set in a quiet and picturesque woodland surrounded by a miriad of sculptures and everything that we needed was provided. I will definitely be coming back."

17 Aug 14'

D Stephens reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Had a brilliant time blacksmithing with some mates. The forge is a lovely location, with lots of great sculptures dotted around. We camped at the forge which was very nice. The course itself is great, Nigel is a top bloke. Very patient and good at explaining the various techniques. Had a great time and would like to go back for two days next time!"