Bring a team, a group of friends, or come solo and join the fold. Our group courses at Brinsbury College offer a social, high-energy way to dive into the world of the blacksmith. With up to 12 forges firing at once, the workshop comes alive with the rhythm of hammers and the shared thrill of creation.

The Group Experience

Looking for an experience day for a single person to join 7 other individuals experiencing this amazing craft for the first time?

Looking for a unique team-building day, an educational day for schools or colleges, a memorable stag or hen party, or simply a creative day out with up to 12 mates?

Our Brinsbury sessions are designed for action.

• Your Own Station: No sharing required. Each student gets their own forge and anvil for the day.

• Expert Guidance: Led by Alex Smith, a master blacksmith with over 25 years of experience, you’ll be guided through every strike, bend, and twist.

• Take Home the Legacy: Every participant leaves with a hand-forged piece of ironwork they created from scratch.

We offer three distinct levels of experience to suit your group’s confidence:

• The Essentials (Easy): Perfect for those who want a fun, relaxed introduction. Forge your own Toasting Fork and Fire Poker—the ultimate BBQ or fireplace accessories.

• The Gardeners’ Choice (Intermediate): Learn more technical skills like tapering and riveting as you craft a classic Hanging Basket Bracket.

• The Masterpiece (Advanced Beginners): For those who love a practical challenge. Experience the art of the Rams-Head Poker, involving splitting and fire-welding.

• Private Hire: Book the entire workshop for a group of up to 24 with 12 forges. Each forge can be shared with a team of two. It’s an unbeatable way to bond, laugh, and learn a rugged new skill together.

• Team Sculptures: For something truly unique, work together as a team to create a large-scale piece like a garden obelisk, sculpture, or bird bath.

---

• Price: £160 per student (includes all materials and safety gear).

• Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Please arrive by 8:50 AM for the safety briefing).

• What to Bring: A packed lunch and plenty of energy!

• Vouchers are available - Buying this as a gift for a loved one?

• What to Wear: Old, non-synthetic clothing (cotton/denim) and sturdy footwear. Gloves, goggles and a leather apron are supplied and must be worn by anyone attending the course.

• Ages: 12+ (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult participant).

• Group Courses are held at: The Forge at Brinsbury College, Stane St, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1DL.

• Payment and Booking - Email- alex@chalkpitforge.co.uk for further information.

• Scroll down for more details.

Alex The Smith will guide you through various blacksmith processes.

The picture above is of your teacher, Alex, bashing hot metal at Chalk Pit Forge at Amberley, where he only teaches on a one-to-one basis. He has been teaching since 2009.

'Make a simple Poker and Toasting Fork' - No dates currently available.

'Make a Hanging Basket Bracket' - No dates currently available.

'Make a Rams Head Poker' - No dates currently available.

Individual slots are available for any of the following:

Make a Toasting Fork and Poker!

Easy rating for beginners.

This is an Ideal course for someone who has never tried blacksmithing and who isn't very hands-on or doesn't necessarily have a practical aptitude.

Each person can expect to make a toasting fork and a poker for your BBQ or fireplace. You can also make some hooks if you have the time.

Above is a picture of a proud student with their fire poker and toasting fork, which students will make on the day.

Techniques will include: bending, twisting, forging and splitting.

Make a Hanging Basket Bracket.

An intermediate rating for beginners, and is suitable for students with or without a practical aptitude.

In this course, you will learn to taper, spread, bend, twist and rivet.

Make a Rams Head Poker!

A difficult rating for beginners.

Suits beginners who are used to practical work, or it will suit students who have achieved the Simple Poker and Toasting Fork course or the Hanging Basket Bracket course.

In this course, students will learn to split, forge, twist, bend and fire weld.

Please email me if you'd like to book a group for a School, College, team building activity for work or for a group of friends.

The price depends on how many people attend.

There are 12 forges and anvils. We can cater for 24 people, where each forge has a team of two.

You can either choose to work on one project together, as a team, or you can each make your own piece and work individually.

Working individually - You can choose what you'd like to make from the above courses or you can choose from the following: freestanding candlestick holders, wall candlestick holders, bottle openers, paper knives, blacksmith chisels and punches, door knocker, coat hooks, shepherd's crook bird feeder hanger, boot scrapers, bull's head hooks or curtain rails.

Everyone in the group has to make the same thing.

Working as a team - You can choose to make a sculpture, an elaborate obelisk for plants to climb up, a decorative coat and umbrella stand, plant holders, a table or a bench.

Funded

This project was supported and partly funded by the UK shared prosperity fund, through the Horsham District Visitor Experiences Grant.