Class Schedule

We currently offer weekend classes for Wood Carving, Stained Glass and Jewellery Making, weekday classes in Restoration and Upholstry and evening classes in Wood Carving (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Wood Working (Mondays and Wednesdays).

All of those classes cost £275, with a £100 deposit and the remaining of the tuition due on the first day of class. Payments can be made in cash, cheques or debit cards. Tools are supplied for all courses, materials will be charged separately for Upholstery, Wood Working, Jewellery Making and Furniture Restoration. We also host clubs in Wood Carving and Chair Seat Caning/Rushing.

We are planning on classes in French Upholstery, Traditional Finishes, Colouring Techniques, Using Machines in Wood Carving, and Seat Caning and Rushing. Please write and we will keep you informed of the future classes. Also, watch this space!!!!

A Week long Summer class in Restoration

10 August to 15 August - each class starts at 9:30 and ends at 4:30

Immerse yourself in the refined craft of fine furniture restoration during this exclusive one-week class. Designed for those with an appreciation for exceptional craftsmanship, heritage furniture, and traditional woodworking techniques, the course offers a rare opportunity to learn the skills and principles employed by professional restorers and conservators.

Set within a dedicated workshop environment, participants will explore the art of restoring antique furniture, gaining hands-on experience with time-honoured methods that preserve both beauty and integrity. Under expert guidance, you will learn to assess condition and provenance, undertake careful structural repairs, restore veneers and decorative elements, prepare and finish surfaces, and apply traditional finishing techniques including French polishing, waxing, and oil finishing.

Throughout the week, emphasis is placed on craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the philosophy of sympathetic restoration—respecting the character, history, and authenticity of each piece. Students will work with premium materials and specialist tools while developing an understanding of furniture construction, period styles, timber selection, and conservation-led restoration practices.

This intensive course combines practical workshop experience with an appreciation of the heritage and artistry behind fine furniture. Whether restoring treasured heirlooms or pursuing a deeper understanding of traditional craftsmanship, participants will leave with enhanced technical skills, confidence in their practice, and a renewed appreciation for the enduring value of beautifully made furniture.

A week dedicated to preserving craftsmanship, celebrating heritage, and mastering the techniques that bring exceptional furniture back to life.

Book Now - From £295.00

Furniture Restoration Saturday with Ernest Riall – Summer 2026

On Saturdays from 9:30 to 16:30 (except during school holidays) - 27 June to 29 August

In this course, Ernest will help students of all levels from complete novices to experienced restorers. All types of projects are possible (We do suggest you send a picture of the object if this is your first class with the school). All materials can be provided by the school (although a charge may apply). Ernest will carefully walk the student through every step of the entire process of restoring their selected project. Imagine the great feeling one gets from developing the hand skills needed to turn a warn piece of furniture into a thing of beauty.

With over 15 years experience running a very successful restoration business, Ernest is active with ICON (International Conservation) and he has a PhD centered around 18th Century English and French Furniture. This means that Ernest has proven himself to meet their very high standards in the restoration of antiques.

Price: £295 (Deposit: £100)

Class Dates (every other Saturday except during school holidays):
June: 27
July: 18
August: 1, 15, 29

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

Book Now - From £100.00

Summer School of Wood carving – with Misseden School of Creative Arts

Every day from 17 Aug to 21 Aug, each class starting at 9:30 and ending at 4:30,

Summary

Imagine a whole week of wood carving! No packing and unpacking schlepping your work back and forth, being able to concentrate on your creation, being able to speak with others who share your love of this craft FOR AN ENTIRE WEEKThe course aims to introduce complete beginners to the basic skills of carving, chisel sharpening and wood behaviour. In further sessions you may follow a structured course of set projects or develop your own ideas.At every stage you will add to your skills and knowledge of all aspects of carving and develop design skills. Experienced carvers will be helped to develop their own projects and skills.PLEASE NOTE: This course is being held at Wooburn Craft School – see below..

Description

Complete beginners will learn about the various carving tools including different types of chisels and mallets, different ways of holding your work, health and safety. Students will learn how to select the right tool for the situation, how to ‘read’ the grain and how to make smooth cuts regardless of the grain. To this end, the beginner student will execute a couple of exercises which will show how to copy with cuts at different angles to the grain and do simple chip carving with gouges and straight chisels. In subsequent days or weekends, you may then progress through carving a natural leaf in high relief, a Celtic knot work, copies of traditional foliage in various styles and timbers, sculpture in the round or high relief, including human, figure or animal figures or abstract work and lettering. At all stages of the course Ernest shall offer guidance on design and advanced carving techniques.

Please note: this course is to be held in the workshop of Wooburn Craft School in Wooburn Green, HP10 0PJ, near High Wycombe. Morning and afternoon refreshments are included in the course price but lunch is not. Students may be able to purchase lunch locally or can bring their own with them.

There is on street parking close by and a few spaces outside the workshop where tools and equipment can be loaded/unloaded.
Residential option is not available for this course but there are many local options in and around High Wycombe from large chain hotels to smaller guest houses, or even at Missenden Abbey which is about 20 minutes away by car.

Please bring with you

Beginners:

basic drawing materials (e.g. paper, pencils, sharpeners)
a ruler,
a pair of compasses,
and any woodcarving tools you may already own.

Other learners should consult the tutor before the course about the materials relevant to their stages. IMPORTANT: Wood for more advanced students should be arranged before the class starts, Students will be charged, at cost, for the wood.

EVERYONE Please wear stout shoes and old clothes.

The following items can be purchased from your tutor

Tools may be hired from the tutor for the weekend for £3.
Where there is difficulty in obtaining wood the tutor may be able to supply it at cost.

Level

Suitable for all levels

Course Location

Wooburn Craft School
Wooburn Green HP10 0PJ

Tutor

Ernest Riall

Ernest has studied with the leading woodcarvers in England and in France at l’Ecole Boulle. His passion is primarily focused on carving that is in the support of restoration of furniture but he is equally inspired by carving in support of artistic endeavours.
While most of his work has been with pre-18th century pieces, he has worked in a number of different styles from Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Baroque and Neo Classical, as well as modern pieces.

Ernest is active in the furniture and wood section of ICON (the Institute of Conservation). He has taught Wood Carving at both Bucks New University in High Wycombe and at Lyon’s Restoration guiding students to produce a variety of creative objects from a simple leaf, to a totem pole to abstract objects in plywood to horses and the list goes on. He is currently the Director of the Wooburn Craft School as well as teaching wood carving there.

Class Dates
AUGUST 17 -21

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 17:00

See Missenden School of Creative Arts’ Website for prices and to register:

https://www.missendenschoolofcreativearts.co.uk/summerschool_2025.php

Wood Carving Saturday – Spring/Summer 2026

Usually every other Saturday from 9:30 to 16:30 - 20 June to 22 August

Beginner students will learn the craft of Wood Carving using traditional tools through a couple of challenging exercises, talks and demonstrations. Those new to Wood Carving will learn all the basics and will develop the basic skills to successfully carve objects in wood. They will develop an understanding of wood, how to use the basic tools, then how to conceptualise a final Wood Carving goal and how to reach that goal. More advanced students will continue to improve their skills by carving more advanced pieces with careful guidance from the tutor.

Class Dates (every OTHER Saturday except during school holidays):

June: 20
July:, 25
August: 8, 22, 29