Description
Artisan woodworking courses in Somerset UK for adult beginners (over 18)
All bookings must be made 48 hours before the course date, to enable us to prepare the workshop and materials.
Course Contents
Join us for this hands on experience day as Marc Wood discusses different timber types and their uses, marking out, finishing and using adhesive, how to safely use a variety of hand tools to craft various traditional joints and he will also answer your questions along the way.
You will be taught how to use chisels, saws and an electric Scroll Saw and a Pillar Drill as part of the process, making use of your new woodworking skills to craft your very own chunky wooden ‘dowel’ picture frame for an 8 x 10 inch print or our classic ‘dovetail’ mirror with an 8 x 10 inch mirror glass size, from start to finish.
We have kept this course small with a maximum of 6 students to allow Marc to answer your woodworking questions and demonstrate techniques while spending time with each person.
Tea and coffee are provided, we advise that you bring a packed lunch because there are no permanent food outlets on site.
£200.00 per person treat yourself or someone special to an ‘Arts and Crafts Experience’ gift with an E Gift Voucher for a future date (group bookings of up to 6 are welcome)
Course Dates are to be found in the drop down menu and monthly dates are added throughout the year.
FAQs
Running from 10 am until 5 pm, this introductory woodworking experience day will be 6 hours of tuition with 2 x 15 minute tea breaks and 30 minutes for lunch (7 hours in total)
** Please note on occasion we may run over by half an hour or so, if we are a group with differing levels of confidence working with hand tools **
There is free car parking (please be aware of uneven ground) and toilet facilities on site.
Safety equipment is provided, and you are advised to wear sturdy footwear and clothes that you don’t mind getting dust on (and possibly the odd Danish Oil drip too!)
Please accept our sincere apologies as disability access requirements are limited, with uneven ground and stepped entrances (please contact us before booking and we can discuss our suitability for your needs)
Our Location
We are based at Shippens, Flaxdrayton Farm, TA13 5LR – this lovely hive of creativity and community is set around a courtyard of 19th Century farm buildings and is also home to several designer-makers involved with Somerset Arts Week and Open Studios.
Where to Stay
If you are traveling and would like to stay overnight there are many excellent options nearby, we recommend:
Hotels: The Kings Arms Inn, 49 Bishopston, Montacute TA15 6UU, 01935 822255
The Fleur de Lis Hotel, West St, Stoke-sub-Hamdon TA14 6PU, 01935 593274
Glamping: Shepherds Huts Ham Hill, Norton-sub-Hamdon, Stoke-sub-Hamdon TA14 6TE, 07900 785000
Yeabridge Farm, Yeabridge, South Petherton, TA13 5LW, 01460 242800
Cancellation Policy
We will retain 20% of the price paid (£40.00) for a full cancellation or we can offer a rebooking for a future date, as long as we are informed up to 2 weeks before the course date.
If we have to cancel because of adverse weather conditions we will offer a rebooking for a future date (Rural South Somerset is beautiful, but unfortunately snow and ice or severe flooding can cause major disruptions from time to time)
If you have any questions at all please contact Marc and Rachel Wood.
Ben Goddard –
A few weeks ago, my partner and I had the privilege of attending Marc’s woodwork course.
As complete novices, we were a little unsure of ourselves but Marc was reassuring and very patient!
Despite my ineptitude, Marc supported us to make a lovely mirror and frame, of which we are very proud.
It was a wonderfully informative and educational way to spend a day, thoroughly recommend!
It is also worth a mention, that the surroundings are truly idyllic and a world away from town life!
Matt Cline –
My dad and I attended a full day course with Marc and Ian. The day was very well organised and prepared with interesting woodworking tips, learning and then practical hands on work.
We were able to use hand tools to try a half lap joint and then progressed on to making our picture frame/mirror. With the 4 of us on the course we each created our own frame in one of two styles and took it from pre-cut pieces of wood to full frames in the course of a few hours. The time flew by as we came to finish sanding, adding detail dowels and then oiling the finished piece.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with great company of the 4 of us and Ian and Marc. The setting was lovely and we enjoyed all of our tea breaks in the warm spring sunshine in the courtyard. The course was very beginner-friendly and we are both pleased with what we were able to build and bring home.
Terry hort, (verified owner) –
My name is Terry hort, local guy.
I spent an amazing day with Marc.
Time was not a problem very patient, very kind and considerate.
You felt that you were the only important person.
Ladies or guys….this is a perfect birthday or Christmas or special present for anyone.
Value for money!
No question!
This guys gives his all and is very knowledgeable.
This is the place to learn in this field.
Thank you Marc.
Mai wish you every success.
You deserve it 👏
Terry
Martin Gaskell –
Completed Marc’s one day course, it was great. Learned useful theory, hand created a joint and then moved on to building a sturdy and elegant mirror. Used many tools new to me, how to evaluate trade offs for different projects including differing wood properties. As said, great day.
Farquhar Ogilvie (verified owner) –
Fantastic day. Learnt a huge amount about wood and how to work with it. And the practical experience added a lot to confidence on what projects were within reach. Marc clearly is a master and had a great day with him.
Phil Bagg –
I was given a day as a birthday present, and rolled up to the workshop in a nice rural setting. Was greeted by Marc who put me immediately at ease, within minutes I knew this was a professional set up.
Always reassuring when safety is treated seriously, and a very good presentation/introduction.
I then started to feel a bit anxious that I would never be able to produce an item to the expected standard, all seemed a bit advanced for me.
I needn’t have worried, Marc is an excellent teacher, very patient and adaptable to different learning styles and before long I was completely immersed in the task.
Lots of tips that I could bring home with me and have a go, a couple of purchases later and I’m off, inspired by the mirror hanging in pride of place in the hallway.
Would recommend this to anybody even remotely tempted to have a go, you will come home with a big grin on your face and a nice wooden object……..and a wish list…
Barry Hamblin –
Attended the full day course – a present from my wife – and what a thoroughly enjoyable time I had. Marc is brilliant – knowledgeable, patient and encouraging. We started with discussing and learning about the different woods and their uses, joining, hand tools, glues, stains and oils, etc. We used hand tools to make a basic joint and then got into making a mirror, which included the use of machinery and power tools. The day absolutely flew by and I came away with a finished product which despite my questionable wood working abilities I’m very pleased with. I would highly recommend Marc and the course and I’m hoping he will at some point in the not too distant future run a more in depth or advanced course like cabinet making or similiar – I’d definitely be up for that. Thanks again Marc for a great day 👌
Dean (verified owner) –
I recently attended the full day course after researching various local options.
It was definitely the right choice, Marc was friendly and knowledgeable and I had a very enjoyable day in his workshop learning and picking up tips and hints and trying various tools and techniques.
Very pleased with the picture frame I made and came away with along with a sense of achievement.
I thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who would like to learn a bit more about woodworking and have an enjoyable day.
Many thanks Marc, thoroughly enjoyed myself.