Teaching & Courses
This list is not exhaustive by any stretch of the imagination, it is up to you to decide which course provider suits your requirements and your choice will be based on many factors including course content, geography, cost etc. We know most of these course providers through meeting them at shows or indeed working alongside them at shows and exhibitions.
Being an inquisitive lot we have visited many of their establishments. They wouldn't be on our list if we didn't think they were a decent bunch.
Contents
General Woodworking Skills
James Mursell's Make A Windsor Chair
Top tip - if you want a taster course to cover a variety of woodworking skills then consider James Mursell's Make A Windsor Chair - 5 days of intensive work including steam bending, turning, shaping, measuring, drilling and finishing. The course should result in a chair to be proud of.
Alex Primmer, our Shop Manager, did this course a few years back and the chair still stands the daily test of 200lbs sitting on it!
David Barron Furniture
Cabinet maker and tool maker David Barron, teaches a variety of courses from his workshop in Southampton. Classes are limited to four students ensuring close attention and vary from casual to advanced woodworkers. The courses are intense and each encompasses a range of skills which revolve around the making of an attractive piece for you to take home.
Specialising in hand cut dovetails David's magnetic guides and saws are all available to buy from Classic Hand Tools.
www.davidbarronfurniture.co.uk
Robinson House Studio Furniture School
Robinson House Studio want to help to get you to a point where you can start your own business, or help you put together a portfolio if you’re looking for employment within the industry, as well as provide passionate hobbyists with the next step in their craft with professional knowledge and practical experience. Wide range of courses from weekends to two years.
www.marcfish.co.uk
Lowfat Roubo
Traditional Craft Courses for contemporary craft people. From fine furniture making to French polishing, improve your workshop skills today with Derek Jones.
www.lowfatroubo.co.uk
Nafisi Design
Abdollah and Kate run a bespoke furniture and interior design studio in Horsham, West Sussex. Abdollah is also teaching workshops in traditional joinery.
nafisi.design
Waters and Acland Fine Furniture Workshop and School - Cumbria
A world class furniture training facility with furniture design and furniture making courses of a quality a career can be based upon, in one of the most beautiful parts of England, the English Lake District.
Their furniture courses are full time. The school is part of our thriving commercial workshop.
www.watersandacland.co.uk
Cheshire Woodworking
Ciaran is a skilled woodworker who runs short short courses in Cheshire as well as creating unique hand crafted gun boxes and furniture.
Rowden Atelier Woodworking School
Established in 1995 by David Savage the school located in North Devon is internationally renowned.
rowdenatelier.com
The Building Crafts College - Stratford, London
Very well equipped (recently expanded - 2010) workshops running one & two year courses plus selected short courses related to furniture making.
www.thebcc.ac.uk
Jonathon Markovitz - Oxfordshire
Centrally located in beautiful surroundings on the Oxfordshire-Berkshire borders, Jonathan teaches adult students (especially those seeking a career-change and a more creative, fulfilling lifestyle) to design and make fine furniture to the highest standards of craftsmanship. Short & long courses.
www.markovitz.com
Williams & Cleal - near Taunton, Somerset
Based near Taunton in Somerset, Lovely peaceful location. Short and long courses. Very friendly. Husband and wife team Jane Cleal and Justin Williams head a small dedicated team.
www.williamsandcleal.co.uk
Tom Kealy - Buckland St Mary, Chard, Somerset
Tom's classes are designed to be flexible, so that they can be tailored to meet student’s individual requirements, whether an enthusiastic beginner or a more experienced woodworker.
www.tomkealy.com
The International Boat Building Training College - Lowestoft, Suffolk
The IBTC has a world wide reputation for their 1 year boat building courses. They also run a 12 week woodworking skills course.
www.ibtc.co.uk
John Lloyd - Sussex
Courses from beginner to advanced level in Sussex. Easy access for you Sussex & London folk.
John is vastly experienced and has been teaching short and long courses for several years. A very dry sense of humour which seems to match that of retired Classic Hand Tools staff member David Thornton who has now survived 3 of John's courses.
www.johnlloydfinefurniture.co.uk
West Dean College - Chichester, Sussex
We can certainly vouch for the accommodation, the food and the terrific location. Joy and Mary from the Classic Hand Tools staff have also taken carving and woodblock printing courses here. They returned refreshed, re-invigorated and hungry for more - so they must be doing something right! They offer a wide range of courses - you should go there once in your lifetime.
www.westdean.org.uk
Warwickshire College
Furniture making and wood machining courses from beginners to advanced, qualification courses and leisure courses in our well equipped Leamington Spa workshop.
Here is a little taster, please click here.
www.warwickshire.ac.uk
The Chippendale International School of Furniture - Scotland
"Anselm Fraser trained as furniture designer and restoration expert with the renowned Michael Hay-Will and is today highly regarded as one of the UK’s leading exponents of the art of furniture making and design. He is an inspirational teacher who marries the 18th century values of Thomas Chippendale with 21st century techniques."
The words are from the Chippendale School of Furniture's web site....all we can say is that this is a truly beautiful location and that having met the man briefly we are sure he delivers what it says on the tin!
www.chippendale.co.uk
The Krenov School - Fort Bragg, California
The fine woodworking programme at The Krenov School is smaller than it's east coast competitor in Maine. Very welcoming.
thekrenovschool.org
Roger Berwick
Roger is a cabinet maker who also offers personal tuition at his workshop tailored specifically to your requirements from hand cutting joints to the use of heavier machinery such as spindle makers.
www.rogerberwickcabinetmaker.com
Craven Conservation & Restoration
Craven Conservation offer a range of services both in house and onsite. They also have a range of courses aiming to protect traditional skills and the materials used with these skills. Their courses range from pen making to chair making to restoration and upholstery projects.
www.cravenconservation.co.uk
AM Fine Furniture
Join Aidan on one of his varied courses making furniture. Leave with a remarkable sense of accomplishment, enthusiasm and the confidence to push ahead with your own dreams.
Edward Johnson School of Furniture - School of Craft
Edward Johnson is based near Chichester and offers courses on sharpening, hand shaping techniques, steam bending including making items using this technique.
Woodturning
Woodturning Cruise - Norway
Every 2 years a small cruise ship carries you round the Norwegian fjords with various stop offs. You learn as you cruise. Very well established with some top notch teachers.
The latest cruise took place in August 2018, keep an eye on the website for details of the next one.
www.woodturningcruise.com
Mark Hancock - Worcestershire
Many of you will have met Mark at the various events we attend. Mark also demonstrates and teaches woodturning. Based in Worcestershire. Very organised in a laid back manner. Lots of early hands on work.
www.markhancock.co.uk
The Association of Woodturners of Great Britain
The AWGB is an international non-profit making organisation dedicated to the advancement and promotion of woodturning. A good place to source information about courses in your area.
www.awgb.co.uk
Les Thorne - Hampshire
Gregarious, enthusiastic and very experienced, never a dull moment! based in Hampshire.
www.noturningback.co.uk
Woodcarving
Chris Pye - Herefordshire
Chris Pye is dedicated to the teaching, the learning and the love of woodcarving. Subscribe to Chris's web newsletter and download his e-books and accelerate that learning curve. Based in the west of England and offers 1 to 1 tuition.
www.chrispye-woodcarving.com
The Austrian Woodcarving School - Tirol, Austria
Mike Hancock from Classic Hand Tools visited this beautiful school in 2010. Great food, great facilities, fantastic location.
www.schnitzschule.com
Mary Anstee-Parry - Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Mary is a teacher, letter-cutter, woodcarver and sculptor. Based near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk where she runs regular courses.
www.anstee-parry.com
Michael Painter - West Midlands
Michael Painter has been teaching wood and stone carving for over 15 years and holds wood carving courses at his studio in Canwell, West Midlands.
www.mikepainter.co.uk
Glyn Mould - Peterborough
Glyn Mould is the resident woodcarver and teacher at the Sacrewell Farm Centre, Thorhaugh, near Peterborough. He has been applying his considerable skill and flair to the craft for over 25 years and teaching it as subject since 1984.
Click here to view Glyn Mould's courses at Sacrewell Farm Centre
Dick Onions - Hertfordshire
Wood and stone carver Dick Onions is Senior Carving Tutor at the City and Guilds of London Art School. He also teaches privately. Based in Hertfordshire.
Click here to see where you can participate in one of Dick Onians courses
Jon Warnes Wood Courses
Jon has been working with green wood and green wood tools for the past 30 years, making benches, chairs, spoons, bowls, boxes, utensils, toys and much more. Jon also teaches all things green woodworking.
www.jonwarnes.co.uk
William Barsley
William is a traditional woodcarver who has been running courses for the last few years. Based in the wonderful county of Devon. Many of his students are beginners and there is a wide selection of courses to choose from - 2 hours to 2 days, something for everyone.
Michelle Bolton
Do you fancy learning to carve yourself but don't know where to start or want some specific tuition on particular areas / aspects of carving? Michelle can accommodate up to two people in her workshop in Braintree for one to one / one to two tuition. Alternatively if there is a group of you she is happy to travel and come to you to deliver bespoke workshops.
Stone Carving
Tom Clark - Martock - Somerset
Based in Martock, Somerset, south west England. Very flexible, lovely chap. Cheap bed n breakfast accommodation also available.
www.tomclarkstonecarver.co.uk/
Lucy Churchill - Cambridge
Lucy Churchill runs a few courses a year. Classic Hand Tools boss Mike Hancock attended one in 2009 and rated it excellent.
www.lucychurchill.com
The Austrian Woodcarving School - Tirol, Austria
New open air stone workshop - wonderful!
www.schnitzschule.com
The Building Crafts College - Stratford, London
Very well resourced stonemasonry workshop in East London next to Stratford main line station.
www.thebcc.ac.uk
Chairmaking
The Windsor Workshop
For chairmaking courses as well as a maker of travishers and spokeshaves, based in Sussex.
thewindsorworkshop.co.uk/chair-making-courses/
Westonbirt Woodworks
For chairmaking courses in the beautiful surroundings of Westonbirt Arboretum with Paul Hayden plus timber and ready made furniture for sale.
Greenwood Days
Greenwood Days have been running activities for individuals and companies since 2000, organising courses, 1-1 tutorials and structured team building days. Courses range from chair making to contemporary willow work, longbow making to coracle making and last from 1-7 days.
www.greenwooddays.co.uk
Boxmaking
Andrew Crawford
Andrew Crawford offers one-to-one tuition, weekend or five day courses, sharing his knowledge accumulated over 30 years of making beautiful boxes.
All courses are held in his barn conversion workshop on the Acton Scott Estate, situated midway between the historic Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge in the beautiful Shropshire Hills AONB. Techniques taught include timber conversion and selection, basic construction, curved forms, bookmatching, veneering, inlaying, fitting his own designed hardware, lining, finishing, choice of tools and machines, jig making and much more.
Lakeland Cabinet Makers
Mark - box maker based in Penrith, Cumbria. Runs weekend courses making boxes.
www.lakelandcabinetmakers.co.uk
Timber Hewing, Framing, Green Woodworking, Chainsawing, Axe Work, Pole Lathe Work, etc.
Steve Woodley - Essex
Steve Woodley is a highly qualified man in the field of forestry training. Chainsaws, axes, timber hewing, health & safety in the forest - he's your man!
He also teaches medieval hewing techniques and demonstrates at various shows throughout the land. Based in Essex.
www.handcraftedtimber.co.uk
Hewnwood - Wales
Hewnwood Courses - Traditional oak timber frame courses in wales set in a 12 acre broadleaf woodland. Courses run by Alan Ritchie in Brecon, Powys, Wales.
www.hewnwood.co.uk
Traditional Oak Carpentry
Suffolk based company run by Rick Lewis that specialises in oak framing.
www.traditionaloakcarpentry.co.uk
Orchard Barn
Orchard Barn - A social enterprise specialising in the delivery of Timber Framing, Roundwood and Shingle roofs, Restoration Skills and Wattle and Daub training courses for professionals, home-owners, self-builders, and anyone with an interest in getting hands-on with natural materials.
www.orchardbarn.org.uk
Jon Warnes Wood Courses
Jon has been working with green wood and green wood tools for the past 30 years, making benches, chairs, spoons, bowls, boxes, utensils, toys and much more. Jon also teaches all things green woodworking.
www.jonwarnes.co.uk
Pyrography
Bob Neill
Pyrography courses....Bob runs one day courses from his workshop in South Derbyshire and other craft centres and shows around the country...he also does Hands on Workshops for groups with 16 machines plus blanks....
www.bobneillpyrography.co.uk
