Find your course
Whether you would like to book a beginner course, learn to make a specific piece or want to take your woodworking further, we have a range of courses available to give you the skills foundation in hand tool woodworking you need to give you the confidence to take on more projects around the home.
Every woodworker started where you are, but I know how much people's skills improve with guidance to ensure you are starting from a solid foundation. During my courses you will benefit from in depth tuition from an experienced cabinet maker which is why our courses have been awarded a Gold certificate for 5 star reviews by CraftCourses.com
Browse all our different courses below and book your place today. We also have digital gift cards available which you can purchase by clicking the link below.
PLEASE NOTE: You must be OVER 18 YEARS OLD to participate in any of our courses.
Foundation Skills
Whether you have never tried woodworking before but are keen to start or you last tried woodworking at school and want to rekindle some forgotten skills, my foundation skills course are ideal for giving you a chance to learn and master the essential woodworking techniques needed to start undertaking your own woodworking projects at home.
Cracket Stool course
Over the course of two days you will learn the essential skills and techniques for hand tool woodworking while making a traditional North Eastern Cracket stool. During the course we look at key hand tool techniques as well as different joinery techniques and sharpening.
This is perfect if you want to spend a bit longer getting to grips with hand tool woodworking and end up with a finished piece of furniture to take home.
Japanese style tool chest course
Based on a traditional Japanese tool chest design, this two day course not only covers essential hand tool techniques but also allows you to develop your confidence with the saw, chisel and hand plane to cut complicated compound angles as well as decorative finishing.
Skill development
If you have completed one of my foundation skills courses or already have some woodworking experience and want to refine your skills to produce more decorative or complex pieces, my Skill Development course offer you the opportunity to not only tackle more advanced techniques but also discover how to plan and design your own projects.
Dovetail Box making course
Held over two days, this course focusses on the most iconic of woodworking joinery techniques, the Dovetail. Symbolic of the skilled craftsperson, during this course you will not only learn how to accurately mark, cut and fit dovetails you will make your own dovetail marking tool as well as have the chance to create your own unique oak or ash keepsake box.
4 essential Joinery techniques course
New for 2027, the 4 essential joinery techniques course is a chance to spend one day in the workshop learning how to cut accurate woodworking joints that can be used for a multitude of projects. During this day long course, you will learn how to mark out, saw and fit a dovetail corner, a mortice and tenon joint, a bridle joint and a housing joint. We will also discuss variation on these joints and how and where to use them.
Project Builder course
The project builder course is the natural next step to my foundation skills courses. This course allows you to plan and make a piece of furniture of your choice.
For more information about this course and how to book click below and fill out the contact form to discuss your project idea. Project Builder courses are booked by the day, and can be tailored to fit your schedule and working style.
Whether you just want 1 day to make a start on a project or book in a few days to develop bigger projects, you create your own course.
This course is designed for those looking to really develop hand tool woodworking as a core skill. This course consists of 6 days spread out over a number of weeks to create a unique wall cabinet made from either oak or ash. This course will build on our foundation course as well as being ideal for those who want a more in depth skills development course.
During the course you will create a cabinet that will consist of the cabinet itself, a fitted drawer, two frame and panel doors, hand carved drawer pulls and handles as well as a solid frame and panel back board. During this course you will learn dovetails, bridle joints, housing joints as well as various sawing, planing and chiselling techniques. There will be two of these courses running in 2027, for dates and to book, click below.
Workbench Course
If you have attended one of our courses, you may well have used one of our hand made pine workbenches. Made using simple joinery techniques and standard timber sizes, this small but mighty workbench is not only a invaluble addition to your own workshop it's also an excellent making experience. Ideal for anyone who has completed on of our beginner hand tool woodwoking courses, this course offers one to one tuition while you make a workbench over 2 consecutive days. All materials are provided all you need to buy is a suitable vice to add to your bench which you can do at a later date.
To find out more and to book your workbench course, click the find out more button below and select "Workbench Course" in the contact form menu and will be in touch to book dates.
Pices from £375
All of our courses are held in our beautiful workshop here in Weardale, County Durham.
We are located at Harehope Quarry ( www.harehopequarry.org.uk ) approximately a 30min drive from Durham City, and about an hour south west of Newcastle. Situated near the village of Frosterley the workshop is built on a former quarry which is now local wildlife site. We benefit from a number of accommodation providers near by. For more information on the local area and accomodation options, visit the Discover Weardale website www.discoverweardale.com