Spend a morning or afternoon learning the traditional craft of blacksmithing at Old Pound Smithy in North Devon.
Working with a coal-fired forge, hand-operated bellows, hammer and anvil, you’ll learn how to heat and shape steel using traditional techniques.
You’ll begin by forging your own bottle opener with guidance from our blacksmith, before putting your new skills to the test by making a simple hook more independently. Both pieces are yours to take home.
No previous experience is needed — just a willingness to get stuck in and have a go.
What you’ll do
You’ll start by learning how to light and manage a traditional coal-fired forge, using hand-operated bellows to control the heat.
With guidance from our blacksmith, you’ll learn some of the fundamental techniques of forging steel, including drawing out, bending, twisting and shaping hot metal at the anvil.
Your first project is a hand-forged bottle opener, giving you the opportunity to practise these techniques and become familiar with the tools.
Once you’ve completed your bottle opener, we’ll demonstrate how to make a simple forged hook. You’ll then put your new skills into practice, working more independently to create your second piece.
By the end of the session, you’ll have made two useful objects and gained a real introduction to traditional blacksmithing.
Perfect for beginners
Our Half-Day Blacksmithing Experience is designed for complete beginners, so you don’t need any previous experience of working with metal.
We keep our groups small, giving everyone their own forge and anvil, with plenty of individual guidance throughout the session.
You’ll learn at a comfortable pace, starting with demonstrations and guided practice before having the opportunity to work more independently on your second project.
It’s a hands-on introduction to a traditional craft, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, experiment and develop your confidence at the anvil.
What you’ll make
During your Half-Day Blacksmithing Experience, you’ll make two hand-forged pieces to take home.
Your first project is a bottle opener. Starting with a length of steel, you’ll learn to heat, hammer, shape and twist the metal to create a practical bottle opener using traditional forging techniques.
Your second project is a forged hook. After watching a demonstration, you’ll use the skills you’ve learned to make your own hook, working more independently while our blacksmith is on hand to offer guidance when needed.
Both pieces will carry the distinctive marks of the hammer and anvil, making them uniquely yours.
You’ll leave with two useful handmade objects and a better understanding of the traditional blacksmith’s craft.
Who is the Half-Day Blacksmithing Experience for?
Our Half-Day Blacksmithing Experience is ideal for anyone curious about traditional blacksmithing and keen to spend a few hours learning a new craft.
It’s a great introduction for complete beginners, whether you’re coming on your own, sharing the experience with a partner or friend, or joining us as part of a small group.
With two projects to complete, there’s plenty of opportunity to develop your skills and enjoy the satisfaction of making something with your own hands.
If you’d like to spend longer at the forge and tackle a more substantial project, take a look at our One-Day Blacksmithing Experience.
You can also explore our full range of blacksmithing courses in North Devon, including knife making, axe making and forged sculpture.
Book your Half-Day Blacksmithing Experience
Ready to try your hand at traditional blacksmithing?
Choose an available date below and book your Half-Day Blacksmithing Experience at Old Pound Smithy in North Devon.
All tools, materials and safety equipment are provided, and you’ll take home both pieces you forge during the session.
Want to try more blacksmithing?
If you’d like to spend a full day at the forge, our One-Day Blacksmithing Experience gives you the opportunity to develop your skills further and tackle a larger project.
We also offer traditional knife-making and axe-making courses, along with creative forging workshops where you can explore decorative ironwork and sculpture.
Explore our full range of blacksmithing courses to find the experience that interests you.
