What Can I Expect

Enrol on a blacksmithing course in Cheshire and learn your trade! Alex's Victorian brick forge is a hive of activity in the heart of the National Waterways Museum in the Wirral. This is your invitation to spend a day at this working forge.

Your host Alex is a highly-skilled heritage craftsman and member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen. He has trained and been employed in many aspects of metal work; from jewellery and silversmithing, to steel fabrication, welding and blacksmithing. Alongside his blacksmithing qualifications, he also has a degree in Art and Design.

Alex describes himself as an artist blacksmith, steel fabricator, welder and designer. He takes on hand-forged bespoke and fabricated steelwork projects both large and small. He particularly favours forged bespoke steelwork commissions, due to its creativity and craftsmanship.

In fact, you might have seen Alex's work on George Clarke's ‘Old House New Home' Channel 4 TV show. Our super talented blacksmith fabricated and forged a gorgeous Art Deco-style gate to adorn a house dating from the same era in Liverpool.

As well as individual commissions, Alex loves to teach blacksmithing. As a student on a one-day blacksmithing course with this Cheshire-based craftsman, you will be shown the traditional smithing skills and techniques.

You'll learn how to heat, hammer and forge your hot metals to make a decorative hanging basket bracket. Pretty and practical, it's something that you'll be proud to look at every day in your garden. And if there's time, you'll fabricate a stylish forged leaf-wrapped fire poker too.

Group sizes are kept small for these blacksmithing courses in Cheshire, with a maximum of four students, each with a hearth to work on. Of course, all the protective gear and raw materials to make your masterpiece will be provided for you, but prepare to get a bit grubby and sweaty - forging metal is hot work!

When Is It Available

• Selected weekdays and Saturdays throughout the year, if you are looking for a Saturday, please enquire in advance 
• Dates are subject to availability
• Sessions start at 10:00 finishing at 16:00
• 20 minute break for lunch (bring a packed lunch)

Suitable For

• Minimum age 16
• A good, general level of fitness is required for this experience

Spectators

• Not suitable for spectators