The Young Blacksmith Experience - Friday 9th April 2027

Step into the forge and become a blacksmith, creating memories that will last a lifetime…

We are delighted to welcome children aged 5–11 to The Young Quinnell School of Blacksmithing for a unique, hands-on introduction to the ancient craft of blacksmithing.

This is no ordinary children's activity. Each child receives their own dedicated blacksmith tutor, their own workstation and an individual, fully supervised experience at their anvil.

Working in our specially adapted children's forging area, young blacksmiths will learn how to safely work hot metal, use traditional blacksmithing tools and experience the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands.

And, most importantly, they don't just watch. They do the forging themselves.

A real forge. Real tools. Real blacksmithing.

This is not a generic children's craft activity. It is a real, specialist, safety-critical, one-to-one blacksmithing experience delivered by a professional blacksmiths.

What will they make?

Each young blacksmith can choose from a selection of specially designed projects, including:

• A leaf-design keyring

• A choice of coat hook designs

• Our characterful 'dog-head'

Examples of each item will be available to choose from on the day.

Their blacksmith tutor will manage the forge, heat the metal and safely hold the workpiece, while the child does the hammering and tool work under close, one-to-one guidance.

At the end of the session, they will leave with something they have forged themselves in red-hot metal. A unique little piece of craftsmanship made by their own hands and something they can treasure forever.

Safety comes first

Blacksmithing involves heat, fire, heavy tools and loud noises, so we have gone to considerable lengths to create an environment specifically designed for younger participants.

Before entering the forge, each child will be fitted with our specialist protective equipment, all provided as part of the experience:

• Custom-made leather apron

• Custom-made leather spats

• Leather forging gloves

• Safety glasses in children's sizes

• Safety boots in a wide range of sizes (if required)

• Ear defenders or ear plugs (optional)

Our PPE has either been specially designed by us and custom-made, or sourced in smaller sizes, ensuring that it fits young participants properly rather than relying on adult-sized equipment.

Each session begins with a short, age-appropriate blacksmith's safety briefing, and children remain under the dedicated one-to-one supervision of their blacksmith throughout the forging session.

All of our blacksmith tutors are fully trained, experienced, and have an Extended DBS check in place.

Your 45-minute experience

Your session will last approximately 45 minutes, although please allow at least one hour at the forge to allow time for getting ready and taking off the PPE at the end.

Please arrive 10 minutes before your allocated start time so that we can get your young blacksmith fitted with their protective equipment and ready to enter the forge.

Please come prepared

Participants must:

• Wear close-fitting, old clothing, preferably denim jeans and a close-fitting cotton T-shirt or jumper

• NO SHORTS

• NO SYNTHETIC CLOTHING

• Have long hair tied back

• Wear sturdy, closed footwear, ideally leather boots or shoes (we can lend footwear on the day)

• Be ready to listen carefully to their blacksmith and follow their instructions throughout the session

All required steel, forge fuel, specialist PPE and dedicated one-to-one tuition is included in the price.

£79 per child, including VAT

A parent or guardian must remain on site throughout the session.

Following booking, you will receive our full safety briefing and will be asked to complete the required booking and consent forms.

If you have any questions about whether the experience is suitable for your child, or if your child has any particular requirements you would like us to discuss beforehand, please contact us. We are always happy to talk through the experience with parents and guardians before booking.

We look forward to welcoming the next generation of blacksmiths to the forge.

Parents / guardians / teachers: Please carefully read the safety briefing document (to follow once you have made your booking and paid) for further information. If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to contact the Children’s Blacksmithing Manager: Tom Quinnell, via tom@fireandiron.co.uk or 01372 375148.

Friday 9th April 2027

45 minutes | One-to-one tuition | Ages 5–11 | All PPE and materials included | £79 per child

Places are limited - every child receives their own dedicated blacksmith tutor.