Discover blacksmithing through the ages, and see metalworking in action!
Activities free with your admission!
Normal entrance prices apply.
Discover blacksmithing through the ages! Join us for a weekend of metalworking in action, and explore this craft from its invention right up to the modern era as Butser Ancient Farm is taken over by over 80 blacksmiths!
For this special event, we’re teaming up with the British Artists Blacksmith Association (BABA) for an exciting weekend of blacksmithing through the ages. Craftsfolk from BABA, alongside some of our very own metalworkers, will be demonstrating this ancient craft and sharing how it has developed from the Iron Age smiths of over 2000 years ago, to the modern craft it is today. Watch expert blacksmiths in action smelting, forging, and more, and listen to fascinating talks to discover how iron work has forged the world we live in today.
On the Saturday Bladesmith Owen Bush will also be conducting an Iron Smelt, extracting Iron from its ore, for visitors to see the fascinating process.
Plus there’ll be a children’s trail and other hands on crafts for the whole family to try out as part of our summer holiday activities!
Please note on the Saturday Blacksmithing demonstrations will mainly take place between 11am and 3pm.
Discover the blacksmith’s tale
See metalworking in action through the ages, from ancient to modern
Discover how metalworking changed the world!
Enjoy all our other summer holiday activities
All included in your admission!
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11am: Joe Tyler - The Saxon Smithy
An insight to the traveling smith that forged their way into history over 1400 years ago. What did they make, how did they make it, and just how important were they in society?
12 Noon: Stan-Lee Lawler - The Future Of An Ancient Craft
Join Stan Lawler, a young blacksmith who finished college in 2023. He is new into the world of work and is keen to share his experiences, learning the Craft under the expert knowledge of many tutors. After graduating collage find out what options and where stan's journey will take him as he looks to the future in his talk "The Future Of An Ancient Craft".
2pm: Adrian Legge - Shoeing through the ages from its origin to present day
3pm: Andy Thearle - Why Heritage Ironwork is Important
A member of The National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) Andy will talk about the importance of retaining and maintaining our wealth of heritage ironwork around the country.
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11am: Joe Tyler - The Saxon Smithy
An insight to the traveling smith that forged their way into history over 1400 years ago. What did they make, how did they make it, and just how important were they in society?
12 Noon: Andy Thearle - Why Heritage Ironwork is Important
A member of The National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) Andy will talk about the importance of retaining and maintaining our wealth of heritage ironwork around the country.
2pm: Chris Blythman -Recreating the Ironwork of Sutton Hoo
Working for many years in blacksmithing education and with a wealth of knowledge on medieval ironwork, Chris will talk about recreating some of the ironwork found at the Sutton Hoo burial.
3pm: Kelly Burton - Kelly Forging Her Journey
Having previously been a fine art painter, with a particular love for Turner and her sights set on a degree at Chelsea, Kelly took what turned out to be a pivotal turning point in her life, embarking on her blacksmithing journey in 2007, where she started her BA (hons) in Artist Blacksmithing at Hereford College of Arts. Kelly left behind the days of painting fire, and was quite literally drawn to the flame, learning to control it, allowing her to manipulate steel into beautiful metalwork full of movement and craftmanship.
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11am: Stan-Lee Lawler - The Future Of An Ancient Craft
Join Stan Lawler, a young blacksmith who finished college in 2023. He is new into the world of work and is keen to share his experiences, learning the Craft under the expert knowledge of many tutors. After graduating collage find out what options and where stan's journey will take him as he looks to the future in his talk "The Future Of An Ancient Craft".
12 Noon: Kelly Burton - Kelly Burton Forging Her Journey
Having previously been a fine art painter, with a particular love for Turner and her sights set on a degree at Chelsea, Kelly took what turned out to be a pivotal turning point in her life, embarking on her blacksmithing journey in 2007, where she started her BA (hons) in Artist Blacksmithing at Hereford College of Arts. Kelly left behind the days of painting fire, and was quite literally drawn to the flame, learning to control it, allowing her to manipulate steel into beautiful metalwork full of movement and craftmanship.
2pm: Adrian Legge - Shoeing through the ages from its origin to present day
3pm: Joe Tyler - The Saxon Smithy
An insight to the traveling smith that forged their way into history over 1400 years ago. What did they make, how did they make it, and just how important were they in society?
Please be aware many of our guided activities and demonstrations are delivered by our wonderful volunteers and may be subject to change on the day. Talk schedule may be subject to change.
Annual Passholders get free admission to the farm any day we’re open for general admission — you only need to visit twice before you’re quid’s in! Learn more.
DOGS: Please feel free to bring your dogs with you! We just ask that they are well-behaved and kept on leads at all times.
REFUNDS: If we aren’t able to open the farm on the day of your visit, you will of course be completely refunded. Unfortunately in any other circumstances we aren’t able to offer refunds.
COVID-19: We’re still being careful, and will follow the government advice at the time. We’re a mostly-outdoors site, and encourage people to mask indoors if it makes them more comfortable. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been asked to self-isolate when you’re due to visit, please stay at home and take care of yourself.