Beginner Blacksmithing workshops

Join Steve Hogwood in an authentic village Blacksmith shop from the 1880s and learn the ancient art of blacksmithing in this comprehensive and hands-on class. These popular classes are held most weekends at Wildes Meadow in the Southern Highlands of NSW. You will truly feel like you are stepping back in time to when all local communities had their village smith!

Learn how to use and control a traditional coke/coal and gas forge, as well as learning basic forging, hammer and tong skills. Throughout the class, you will also experience the surroundings of the magnificent Southern Highlands & in the middle of the day you'll enjoy a light lunch on the veranda of the blacksmith shop, overlooking the meadow; and after a big day at the forge, you get to take home the fruits of your labour.

Our schedule for the day:

• 10:30 am: arrive at the Blacksmith shop where will run through OH&S work practices and issue you with your PPE equipment.

• 11am: everyone will be briefed on their specific projects and we start forging.

• 12:30 pm: light lunch and refreshments on the veranda of the blacksmith's shop.

• 1pm: we will continue forging until 4.30pm, at which time we will review the work and clear up the shop after the day.

You will also get to meet other people passionate about this ancient craft in a really hands-on learning experience, while you step back in time for a day.

Everything is supplied too, so all you have to do is bring is your smile and passion to learn about a trade that’s as old as the human race itself, the ‘King of Trades’ as it was once called.