Meet Mark Harding - Blacksmith

In the lead up to our Heritage Crafts Weekend on 26 & 27 July, we take a moment to meet some of the traditional craftspeople that will be at the event. Most weekends you’ll find Mark Harding at work in our Victorian Garston Forge, either demonstrating traditional blacksmithing techniques or leading experience days.

“I’m a professional Artist Blacksmith based just north of Slough. I spent two years at the National School of Blacksmithing in Hereford where I attained my Level 3 subsidiary with distinction.

I’ve been a smith for around fifteen years and I’ve been a full time professional for about eight years.

Most of my work is for the domestic market which is commission and repairs. The rest of my work involves teaching and historical reproduction.

On the whole my work is a varied occupation involving many different kinds of metalworking making every day interesting and full of new challenges.”

If you’d like to try your hand at Blacksmithing, why not book an experience day in the forge with Mark’s expert tuition.