Blacksmithing Experience Day Gift Card - Stroud
The perfect gift for complete beginners or anyone curious about traditional blacksmithing. A hands-on day at the forge they'll never forget.
Blacksmith & Knife Making Experiences in Gloucestershire
I’m Mike, and I run a working forge in Slad, near Stroud, right here in Gloucestershire. If you’re local and you’ve been after something proper to do, or a gift for someone who’s hard to buy for, you’ve probably driven closer to it than you’d think. This is a real forge, not a demo. You spend the day making your own knife or hook from raw steel, and you take it home.
Small groups · Real working forge · You keep what you make
A working forge on your doorstep, near Stroud
Soulful Iron is a real working forge, not a demo, and you spend the whole day at the anvil making something to take home. Being local, I can tell you it’s a proper day out that people travel a long way for, so it feels a bit daft not to make the most of it if it’s on your doorstep.
Easy to reach from across Gloucestershire
The forge is in Slad, near Stroud, and it’s an easy drive from most of the county. Gloucester is about 20 minutes away, Cheltenham about 30, Cirencester about 20, and Nailsworth and the rest of the Stroud valleys are minutes down the road. There’s parking on site.
What you make on the day
On a blacksmithing day your first project is a hook, which teaches the core skills, and from there it’s pokers, handles and pendants in mild steel. On a knife making day you forge a knife from high carbon steel at 1,200 to 1,400 degrees in the gas forge. No experience needed, minimum age 11, and a maximum of six people per session so everyone gets real time at the anvil.
Local gifts, days out and group bookings
It makes a great local gift, a different sort of birthday, or a small group day out. If you’re buying for someone in the county who’s always fancied trying it, a voucher does the job nicely, and it’s valid for a year. For groups or something a bit special, get in touch and we’ll sort it.
Choose Your Experience: Blacksmithing or Knife Making
All levels welcome, no experience needed
Full day at the forge, 10:30am to 4:30pmBeginners welcome, no experience neededOn your doorstep, parking on site
Both are full days at the forge near Stroud. Small groups of up to six, all levels, and you take home what you make.
Knife Making Experience Day - Forge a Viking Style Knife!
A knife making course (experience day) at my forge in Stroud. Come get hands-on with fire and steel, enjoy the day, and walk away with a hand-forged knife made by YOU.
Popular knife-making course
One of our most requested experiences
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I do a blacksmith experience in Gloucestershire?
At Soulful Iron, a working forge in Slad near Stroud, running blacksmithing and knife making days for all levels.
How far is the forge from Gloucester, Cheltenham and Cirencester?
Roughly 20 minutes from Gloucester, about half an hour from Cheltenham and around 20 minutes from Cirencester. Parking on site.
Is there a knife making course in Gloucestershire?
Yes, knife making days are one of the main experiences, forging a blade from 1084 high carbon steel.
What ages can take part?
Minimum age 11, with ages 8 to 11 on dedicated kids’ days by arrangement. Under-16s (blacksmithing) and under-18s (knife days) need an adult with them.
How do I book or buy a local gift voucher?
Booking and prices are on the experience days page, and gift vouchers are valid for a year.
Is there parking?
Yes, on site.
Your local forge, on your doorstep
A proper day out in Gloucestershire, or a gift for someone who’s hard to buy for. Book your date, or send a voucher.