Thinking of exploring the wonderful craft of woodturning or woodcarving, or looking for a friendly, creative group to share your passion with? We would love to welcome you to Woodart Workshops — a unique, member-led collective of talented carvers, turners and wood artists, right here in our local community. Whether you are a complete beginner who has never held a chisel, an experienced maker looking for new ideas and fresh inspiration, or simply curious to see what we do and how we work, our doors are always open, and you will find a warm, encouraging atmosphere waiting for you every time you visit. There is absolutely no pressure, and everyone is welcome, regardless of skill level or background.
One of the best things about our club is just how easy and accessible we make it for everyone to get involved — you don’t need any previous experience, and you don’t need to own or bring any equipment or materials at all! We have a spacious, fully equipped, and well-maintained workshop space filled with a fantastic range of high-quality lathes, carving tools, chisels, gouges, sanding equipment, safety gear, and all the accessories and consumables you could possibly need, all available for every visitor and member to use freely during our sessions. You can literally turn up with nothing but your enthusiasm and curiosity, and still take part fully in every activity, learn new skills under expert guidance, and even leave with something beautiful and unique that you have shaped and crafted entirely yourself. We strongly believe that everyone should have the chance to experience the joy, satisfaction, and creativity of working with wood, without the worry or barrier of having to invest in expensive tools or machinery before you even know if you enjoy the craft.
Our nightly attendance cost is just £5 per person — incredible value for unlimited access to our professional-grade facilities, expert help and guidance from experienced makers, and a whole evening of creativity, learning, and fun in great company. There are absolutely no hidden fees, extra charges, or ongoing commitments required; that small contribution simply helps us cover our basic running costs, maintain and upgrade our tools and equipment, keep our workshop safe and comfortable, and ensure we can keep our doors open and our activities accessible and affordable for everyone in the long run. Whether you come along just once to try it out, or join us every fortnight as a regular face, you will always find our club welcoming, affordable, and excellent value for everything we offer.
As a club, we pride ourselves on being refreshingly different from many other woodworking or art groups — we operate without a formal, complicated committee structure, guided instead by just three elected officers: Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. Every decision, every new project, every event, and every improvement we make is proposed, discussed, and decided upon by our members themselves, making us a truly collaborative, community-driven organisation where everyone has a voice. On any regular club night, our workshop buzzes with positive activity and energy; you will see members sharing tips and techniques, helping each other master new skills or solve problems, testing out new designs and ideas, or simply enjoying plenty of laughter, friendly banter, and good conversation while working away on their latest pieces. We run structured lessons and workshops in both woodturning and carving, led by both professional tutors and our own highly experienced, long-standing members, so there is always someone knowledgeable on hand to show you the basics, help you improve your technique, or answer any questions you might have, no matter how big or small.
Throughout the year, our calendar is packed with a rich variety of activities and events designed to inspire, challenge, and engage everyone, from absolute beginners to advanced craftspeople. Twice a year, we are delighted to welcome nationally recognised experts and leading artisans from across the country to come and give special demonstrations, workshops, and masterclasses — giving you the rare chance to watch true masters at work, see incredible skills in action, and pick up professional tips and insights you won’t find anywhere else. We also host highly anticipated public exhibitions where we proudly display the wonderful, diverse work created by our members, giving everyone a chance to showcase what they have made and share their creativity with the wider community. Alongside these highlights, we hold our popular annual auction and weekly raffle; these fun events not only bring everyone together but also raise vital funds that go directly towards purchasing new equipment, upgrading our workshop facilities, and ensuring we can continue offering the best possible experience for everyone.
Three times a year, the whole club also comes together to support good causes and give back to the community we are part of, by selecting a charity to support and donating beautiful handcrafted items we have made ourselves to raise money and awareness. It is all part of what makes Woodart Workshops such a special, vibrant, and purposeful place to be.
Whether you want to have a go at your very first woodturning project, learn how to carve intricate details and decorative shapes, improve your existing skills, meet like-minded creative people, or simply enjoy a friendly, productive, and creative evening out, we are here for you and ready to help you get the most out of your time with us. Come along, say hello, and discover just what you can create with a little guidance, some great tools, and a lot of imagination.
📌 Find out more, see our full meeting schedule, location details, and latest news:
We can’t wait to welcome you to the workshop and see what you will create! 🪵🪚✨