Welcome to the Quinnell School of Blacksmithing

We are one of the leading blacksmithing course providers in the country, specializing in hands-on introductory blacksmithing courses and engaging experience days for beginners. . .

Immerse yourself in the fascinating and ancient craft of blacksmithing.

Forge red-hot iron and ‘let the sparks fly’ in our well-equipped, purpose-built teaching facility. Our carefully crafted courses aim to provide participants with the foundational skills and techniques needed to embark on their journey into the art of blacksmithing.

Our blacksmithing courses and experience days are suitable for absolute beginners (adults, and teenagers from the age of 14 upwards*) or for metalworkers seeking to gain a basic understanding or improvement of iron-forging techniques. courses are limited to 8 participants (although we have capacity for 10), each with their own forge, anvil, leg vice and all necessary hand-tools. We have been running blacksmithing courses now for more than 28 years. . .

The emphasis within our courses is Centred on learning the core techniques and processes of hot-forging while engaged in the creation of both decorative and/or useful objects. Participants can look forward to making several such items to take home at the end of each course. They are also encouraged to freely explore the fascinating properties of hot iron, all under the sympathetic and expert guidance of our highly skilled, friendly and supportive tutors.

★★★★★

Check out our all-five-star google reviews here. Past students have described the experience as “exceptional” & “absolutely fantastic”, and the satisfaction of proud makers showing off their achievements at the end of each course is very evident. With our decades of experience, and over 1,800 happy students to date, we can confidently be sure that you will enjoy yourself enormously!

Based just of Junction 9 of the M25 in Leatherhead, Surrey and right next to our world-famous Fire and Iron Gallery in a pleasant semi-rural, historic setting, Our blacksmithing courses are run and managed by Tom Quinnell. Our family blacksmithing business has been running continuously since 1932, but our courses first took place back in 1996 when The Quinnell School of Blacksmithing was set up by Richard Quinnell. Richard was a prime mover in the 1970s revival of the craft of artist blacksmithing in the UK, and he was awarded the MBE in 1989 for his contribution. Tom is Richard’s grandson, and he is now the 5th generation to work at the site. After a successful 15-year career with Mercedes-Benz, Tom returned to work at Rowhurst Forge where he grew up and learned the craft from a very young age.

Giving a course as a gift? A blacksmithing course makes an amazing and unforgettably unique present for a birthday, Christmas, retirement, or wedding anniversary (6th is an iron anniversary ; 11th is Steel - why not do a course together?) - we can supply you with a voucher at no additional cost, that can be either emailed so you can print at home, or carefully gift-wrapped and collected from us, or delivered via Royal Mail (simply select at checkout).                                    

It's also a great educational experience for a young person* - and a way for them to test their aptitude if they are thinking of taking metalworking up as a career (there are apprenticeships and college courses right up to BA (Hons) and MA level that we can advise on).

[*We can take younger students, down to 11 years old, but only on condition that if under 16, they must have a parent or close family adult member also booked on the course with them. they must be well-motivated and really want to take the course and must have reasonable stamina. Alternatively, we offer shorter and tailored ‘one on one’ courses, suitable for younger students FROM THE AGE OF 11. - with these, an adult does not need to participate, but must be present and can observe throughout. For all students under 16, please contact us to discuss before booking.]