ABOUT US
OUR BLACKSMITH’S WORKSHOP IN THE HEART OF THE PEAK DISTRICT
Step inside our large, purpose-built blacksmith’s workshop, where traditional craftsmanship meets a friendly, hands-on experience.
With four double forges, a gas forge, plenty of anvils, tools and everything you’d expect to find in a working blacksmith’s workshop, there’s plenty to see, hear and get involved with.
Nestled away in a peaceful village just a short distance from the beautiful Peak District town of Bakewell, our workshop is the perfect place to discover the fascinating craft of blacksmithing.
Whether you’re completely new to the craft or already have an interest in working with hot metal, we look forward to welcoming you into the forge and sharing our passion for blacksmithing with you.
JESSICA
My journey into blacksmithing began in 2006, when I initially started studying to become a farrier. I soon discovered that my skills and interests lay in creating traditional decorative ironwork, using time-honoured tools and techniques.
I successfully completed my farriery course at Myerscough College in Preston before going on to study at the National School of Blacksmithing at Herefordshire & Ludlow College. Since then, I have been very fortunate to have worked alongside one of the very few Master Blacksmiths in the country, as well as a number of other highly established blacksmiths.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of large and specialist projects, while also taking on commissions of my own. I have now been blacksmithing for over 20 years, and my passion for the craft continues to grow.
I have created this lovely workshop as a place where I can continue my own blacksmithing work and commissions, as well as welcome groups for hands-on blacksmithing experience days.
If you have an idea for a piece of work you’d like to commission, I’d be delighted to hear from you. Please get in touch using the details on the contact page, and I’ll be happy to discuss your ideas and see how we can bring them to life.
TIM
I started as an Artist Blacksmith in 2007 - some say it was fated, as my surname, ‘Puddephatt’ is Norman for the ‘Foot of Iron’. I’m a self-employed Blacksmith who works to commission, taking each job as a chance to refine and perfect skills that were seven thousand years old when they were taught to me.
I’m inspired technically by the ability for precision and accuracy that comes with using hand tools. Creatively, I like metal’s almost endless possibilities, when you match it with fire. It’s a balance between what you can physically achieve and what you want to create - metal lacks life until you forge it, but no other material can do as much, as readily.
I’ve travelled the country following skilled artistic and heritage blacksmithing work, now finding a home in Sheffield.
PHIL
I started my blacksmithing journey when I trained at Warwickshire college between 2009-2011 where I gained my level three in blacksmithing and metalwork, after my first year there I set up my workshop and became a self employed blacksmith as well as continuing with my college course, I have been a full time blacksmith ever since and love every aspect of the job.
I also went back to college in 2016 for another year as a technician and part time lecturer to teach the wonderful craft of blacksmithing to budding new students.
Since then I have concentrated on my own designs and commissions for private clients as well as working along side other Smith's on larger scale projects across the country.
I also have given one to one experience days in my own forge for the past 5 years, this has allowed me to grow my skills and gain a lot of experience in all areas of teaching blacksmithing to all who want to learn.