Woodworking is a hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. This gives you the opportunity to work with your hands and create something tangible that you can be proud of, and a carpentry course is a great way to start this rewarding craft.
From simple wooden toys and birdhouses to more complex pieces of furniture that can be used and enjoyed for years, the possibilities are endless when it comes to woodworking .
One of the benefits of woodworking is that it is a versatile hobby that can be tailored to your interests and skill level. Whether you want to learn more about traditional woodworking methods or prefer more modern methods that incorporate technology and power tools, there is something for everyone.
Finding a local woodworking class or course can be a great way to connect with other like-minded people and join a community of people who share your passion for the craft. It's also a great way to get kids involved in a new activity that can teach them some practical skills. There are many family carpentry courses in the UK that can be unique and fun for a weekend or school holiday .
Here's our pick of the best carpentry courses and courses in the UK.
NORTH LONDON. make a palette knife
Perfect for beginners, this 3-hour class will teach you how to make local spoons to take home. Learn how to work with wood texture and use traditional tools such as a razor and carving knife to hone your skills in a relaxed and fun environment.
Classes are held outside, so dress appropriately for the weather.
Course Name: Make a Spatula
Managed by London Green Wood
Address: 1a Goldsmith Row, Hackney, E2 8QA, London.
Duration: 3 hours Price: £45 per person BOOK HERE
EAST LONDON. Cut a spoon
Learn how to use an ax, knife and rounds to make a beautiful and practical wooden spoon. Using freshly cut green wood, an experienced tutor will support you throughout the process and encourage you to carve at your own pace.
All tools and materials are provided for this 2.5 hour class and it's a great way to slow down and focus on learning a new skill.
Name of the course: carving with a spoon.
Managed by: Creative Nature HQ
Address: Thames-Side Studios, Unit TW-008, Harrington Way, SE18 5NR, London.
Duration: 2.5 hours Price: £80 per person BOOK HERE
CENTRAL LONDON. Introduction to Furniture Restoration
Breathe new life into your furniture with this one-day introductory course. An experienced mentor will guide you through the process of removing paint, refinishing woodwork and repairing brittle finish.
You'll practice and learn how to fix common problems like white circles and surface scratches. Don't let good furniture go to waste. join now and experience the joy of restoration.
Course name: Introduction to Furniture Restoration - 1 day
Powered by Goodlife Center
Address: 49-55 Great Guildford Street, SE1 0ES, London.
Duration: 1 day Price: £195 per person BOOK HERE
SOUTH EAST LONDON. Build a Windsor stool
Create your own classic Windsor chair fit for a king. This 2-day hands-on course in London will teach you the basic techniques of making greenwood chairs using traditional tools such as an axe, hatchet, knife and needle shaver.
Learn how to split freshly cut wood and carve a comfortable seat to make a beautiful three-legged stool.
Course Title: Preparing for the Windsor Chair
Manager: Ben Willis Woodcraft
Address: 3 Stoney Lane, Crystal Palace, SE19 3BD, London.
Duration: 2 days Price: £220 per person BOOK HERE
SOUTH LONDON. Atelier River epoxy coffee table
Join the team at The River Shop in South East London to learn everything you need to know about the fun process of creating your own unique river table.
From customizing the mold to preparing the wood, including mixing colors and pouring resin , you'll be guided every step of the way. At the end of the two-day course (which will take place over two consecutive Sundays), you will leave with a beautiful resin and acacia wood coffee table that you designed and made yourself.
All tools, supplies and apron are provided, but be sure to wear old clothes and be prepared to get dirty.
Course Name: Reiver Epoxy Coffee Table Workshop
Powered by River Shop
Address: TB-05 Thames Side Studios, Unit 8, Harrington Way, SE18 5NR.
Duration: 3 hours Price: £575 per person BOOK HERE
SUMMER PACKAGE. Fine Furniture Discovery Week
Designed for those with little experience but plenty of enthusiasm, this week-long course will teach you how to use the tools like a pro and create a small project to take home.
With a maximum of 8 students per class, you can benefit from the focused and attentive attention of experienced tutors to develop valuable carpentry skills.
You'll learn how to set up and sharpen hand tools, interpret basic woodworking blueprints, best beveling and planing techniques, and understand basic woodworking techniques.
Name of the course: A weekly introduction to fine furniture
Operated by Williams & Clean Furniture School
Address: Willett Farm Workshop, Lydeard St Lawrence, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3QB.
Duration: 5 days Price: £870 per person BOOK HERE
SUMMER SET. Laminate flooring and inlay
Unleash your creativity with inlays and laminate flooring with this 2-day paneling course. Discover the benefits of working with veneer and choose from a variety of colors, grains and types to create your own veneer tray.
Learn valuable skills such as choosing the best coating, pressing and joining techniques, principles of vacuum pressing and sandblasting. You also have the option of steam bending the tray handles.
Course Name: Leather Coating
Operated by Williams & Clean Furniture School
Address: Willett Farm Workshop, Lydeard St Lawrence, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3QB.
Duration: 2 days Price: £420 per person BOOK HERE
CHESHIRE. A basic 2-day turnaround
Designed for beginners, this 2-day course will give you a solid foundation in all the basic woodworking skills and allow you to create your own lathe parts.
Day 1 focuses on safe use of the lathe, sharpening tools and turning wood between centers using tools such as a rough hole, an angle chuck for turning holes and a split tool. Day two is dedicated to bowl and liner rotation, with special attention to mastering the bowl opening.
This is the perfect course for those who want to take their first steps into the world of woodworking.
Name of the course: A basic 2-day turnaround
Operator: Chesire Woodworking
Address: Old Alvanley Garage, Commonside, Helsby, Cheshire, WA6 9HB.
Duration: 2 days Price: £260 per person BOOK HERE
BRISTOL: Mobile Power Tool Cabinet
Make a small MDF cabinet with a woodworking power tool and learn how to fit it perfectly into any enclosed space. You will be introduced to the safe installation and use of various hand tools, sheet metal fastening and the use of self-tapping screws for carpentry.
You'll also learn about cabinet construction, hardware and hanging, meaning you'll be able to use your skills and make furniture anywhere in your home.
Course Name: Furniture with Power Tools
Powered by Makershed
Address: St. Paul's Learning Centre, 94 Grosvenor Road, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8XJ.
Duration: 4 days Price: £395 per person BOOK HERE
DENBIGSHIRE. Production of swinging oak gates
Learn the art of hacking and make an oak garden gate in just 4 days. Join mentor Jack Ritson and learn traditional woodworking techniques including splitting, ax and knife shaping, mortise and wing cutting.
You'll bring home handcrafted wooden gates up to 4 feet wide that you'll be proud to display to those walking through your yard.
Course Title: The Art of Splitting
Cinematographer: Vernogh Wood
Address: Llanbedr, DC, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1YE.
Duration: 4 days Price: £420 per person BOOK HERE
Gwynedd. Learning to shoot in Snowdonia
Learn how to turn wood in beautiful Snowdonia with qualified instructor and award-winning woodworker Les Symonds. Les will guide you through the process of creating the piece of your choice in their well-equipped workshop.
Classes are tailored to your individual needs, whether you're having fun learning basic skills or want hands-on guidance to further develop your woodworking skills.
The full-day course runs from 09:30 to 15:30, with flexible finishing times to complete your own project to take home.
Name of the course: Learn to ride in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day
Head: Mr
Address: 2 Cae Bach, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7TF.
Duration: 1 day Price: £175 per person BOOK HERE
POWYS. Making a Welsh rattan chair
Improve your carpentry skills with this seven-day course on how to make a beautiful Welsh rattan chair. Learn how to turn a wooden chair into a finished piece, using traditional chair-making tools like a draw knife and scissors to create green ash legs, swivels, and frame parts from scratch.
You'll also learn how to use an ax and traverse to give your seat maximum comfort, and the highlight of the class is steam bending the delicate arcs that make up the chair's arm and back. This intensive course is suitable for beginners, while more advanced variations are possible for carpenters with special skills.
Course Title: Making a Welsh Rattan Chair
Manager: Ben Willis Woodcraft
Address: Redwood Valley, Bultibrook House, Norton Road, Prestain LD8 2EU.
Duration: 7 days Price: £625 per person BOOK HERE
EAST LOTHIAN. Wood Turning Weekend:
Perfect for beginners, this exciting weekend woodworking class taught by woodworking specialist Adam Stone focuses on woodworking and round joinery.
Learn how to work on a lathe and use a variety of tools and techniques to make a chair or planter with a split wooden top and three legs.
You will learn how to make spikes, taper feet, grind and finish on a lathe. If you're up for the challenge, you can even try to spin the bowl.
Course name: Wood Turning Weekend
Sponsored by: Chippendale International School of Furniture.
Address: Chippendale International Furniture School, Gifford, East Lothian, EH41 4JA.
Duration: 2 days Price: £400 per person BOOK HERE
AVIEMORE: High mountain cup carving
Learn about the traditions of Scottish woodcarving and make your own Highland carvings in Insria Forest, near Aviemore. Guided by a professional Wood Tom, you'll confidently use hand tools such as a knife and an ax to carve a glass of alpine couscous or a glass of whiskey to take home.
This course is quite technical and physical, so woodworking experience is recommended.
You will learn a variety of earth skills that can be applied to other sculpting projects, including using an ax for precise splitting, carving shapes with an ax, and safe cutting techniques with a carving knife and blade.
Course Name: Highland Cup Carving
Manager: Tom Wood
Address: Inshriach Farm, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1QP.
Duration: 6 hours Price: £70 per person BOOK HERE
ABERDEENSHIRE. Smart Coffee Workshop
Perfect for practicing alone or with a friend. A woodworking expert guides you to coffee-themed green carpentry. At the end of the workshop, you will make an espresso cup, a coffee handle and (if you have time) a teaspoon.
No prior experience is required and all materials are included in the price. you can even try locally roasted coffee by the fire. All you have to do is grab your packed lunch and get ready for a fun and creative day.
Course Name: Crafty Coffee Workshop
Operated by: Knockiehill Woodland Centre
Address: Melgum Road, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, Ab34 4UX.
Duration: 6 hours Price: £65 per person BOOK HERE
EDINBURGH. Children's classes and wood carving
If you're looking for a fun activity for kids, look no further than this harvesting and wood carving tutorial. These classes focus on good technique, engaging the largest muscles in the body to avoid fatigue and accidents.
Classes usually last an hour and a half, with opportunities to make items such as a butter knife or wooden flowers. Instructors can also demonstrate safe techniques for using spoon carving knives so you can continue your craft at home.
Class Name: Wood Carving and Wood Carving Class for Kids
Working: Alien spoons
Address: 22 Priestfield Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5JQ.
Duration: 1.5 hours Price: £45 per person BOOK HERE
BELFAST. Kids and Parents - Making a Rustic Chair
This fun one-day workshop will teach you and your child how to make a rustic chair together. This is a great way to make furniture for the home, helping children gain confidence and new carpentry skills.
The workshop is best suited for children aged 11-16 and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who wishes to work with the child.
Name of the course: Children and parents. Making a rustic chair
Managed by Green Woodwork Ireland
Address: Minnowburn, Ballinahatty Road, Belfast, BT8 8LE.
Duration: 1 day Price: £100 per adult and child BOOK HERE
NEWRY. Spandrel Neolithic Sculpture Experience
Learn the ancient art of woodworking from expert Pádraig Carragher and create a personalized Celtic pendant with native Irish trees. Using local wood from Padraiga's 26 acre private forest, you will learn how to use a lathe, sand and polish to create your pendant.
Your birth month will be translated in Ogham and engraved on the amulet, then packaged in a beautiful box for you to take home. The experience includes full instruction, use of equipment, outings and socializing, as well as light refreshments such as tea, coffee and homemade scones.
Course Title: Neolithic Suspension Experiment
Head: Bluebell Lane
Address: 49 Tallimakriev, Newry, BT35 9RE.
Duration: 3 hours Price: £80 per person BOOK HERE
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