Discover the Art of Wood Turning: A Beginner’s Workshop

Looking to pick up a rewarding new hobby or unleash your creative side? Join us for a hands-on Introduction to Wood Turning—a fun, practical course designed especially for beginners!

Over the course of 3 to 4 immersive hours, you’ll step into the world of woodturning in our dedicated workshop at Cockenzie House and Gardens. Guided by an experienced instructor, you’ll:

• Get comfortable using a lathe
• Learn how to choose the right type of wood
• Explore essential woodturning tools
• Master the basics of shaping and finishing your own piece
• Gain important health and safety knowledge

Absolutely no prior experience is needed—we’ll walk you through each step with one-on-one instruction (unless you bring a friend or family member to join in the fun!).

All tools and materials are provided—just wear something you don’t mind getting a little dusty. Expect flying shavings and lots of creativity.

Sessions run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Cost: £90

Come away with new skills, new confidence, and a handcrafted piece to be proud of!


Bowl Turning from Beginners or more experienced: Take Your Woodturning to the Next Level

Ready to go beyond the basics and create something truly unique?
Our Bowl Turning Course is the perfect next step for beginners or more experienced who are eager to dive into one of the most satisfying forms of woodturning—shaping a beautiful, functional wooden bowl from start to finish.

In this 4 to 5 hour hands-on session, you’ll explore:

• The fundamentals of bowl turning, even if you’ve never used a lathe before
• Parts of the lathe and how to use them with confidence
• How to choose the right wood and understand grain direction for bowls
• The specialized tools used in bowl turning—and how to use them safely
• How to shape, smooth, and finish your bowl to a high standard
• Essential health and safety practices to keep your turning experience safe and fun

The course takes place in our dedicated workshop at Cockenzie House and Gardens, offering a relaxed, creative environment perfect for focused learning.

All materials and equipment are provided—just bring clothes you don’t mind getting dusty with wood shavings!

📅 Course time: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
👥 One-on-one instruction (unless attending with a family member)
💷 Course fee: £115
🎓 No experience necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to learn!

Leave with your very own hand-turned wooden bowl, new skills, and the confidence to keep turning!

✒️ Pen Turning Course: Craft Your Own Hand-Turned Pens

Looking for a creative challenge with stunning results?
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a budding turner looking to expand your skills, our Pen Turning Course offers a fun and rewarding introduction to the art of precision turning.

Over the course of 4 to 5 hours, you’ll create three unique pens from scratch—each with its own character and style. Along the way, you’ll learn the full process of pen making, from preparing the blanks to the final polish.

🪵 What You’ll Learn:

• Intro to the lathe (perfect for beginners or those needing a refresher)
• Explore pen kits—from slimline to rollerball styles
• Learn about pen blanks, including both wood and acrylic
• How to prepare and mount blanks for turning
• Choosing and using the right tools for fine detail work
• Achieving a smooth, high-quality finish
• Workshop health & safety best practices

You’ll make:

• 🖊️ 1 Slimline wooden pen
• 🗝️ 1 Keyring pen (wood or acrylic)
• 🖋️ 1 Rollerball pen (wood or acrylic)

All materials, tools, and kits are provided—just wear clothes that don’t mind a bit of dust and wood shavings!

📍 Course Details:

• 🕤 Time: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
• 🏠 Location: Our fully equipped workshop at Cockenzie House and Gardens
• 💷 Cost: £125
• 👥 One-on-one instruction (or bring a family member along)
• 🧰 No experience needed, though some turning experience is helpful

By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with three handcrafted pens, new skills, and the satisfaction of having turned everyday materials into functional works of art.
Sharpening Course

We are now offering a sharpening course. Contact us for more details.

We can also tailor other courses to suit your needs please contact us to discuss.

If you wish to book any of our courses or want more information please give us a call 07730791935

Gift cards for courses can be bought through the gift card page at the top of the website.