Crafts / Blacksmithing & Heritage Metalwork

Blacksmithing & Heritage Metalwork

Fire, metal, hammer, anvil - the tools and principles have barely changed in a thousand years.

About Blacksmithing & Heritage Metalwork

Fire, metal, hammer, anvil - the tools and principles have barely changed in a thousand years, yet the work ranges from the sublime wrought iron screens of our greatest cathedrals to the functional gate hinges of a listed farmhouse. Heritage blacksmiths and metalwork specialists repair and recreate the ironwork that holds historic buildings together - structurally and aesthetically. Cramps, ties, window armatures, decorative screens, hinges, locks and architectural ironwork of every kind all fall within this craft's scope.

Typical earnings

Apprentice: £18,000–£22,000 | Qualified conservation smith: £28,000–£40,000 | Artist blacksmiths / specialist commissions: higher

Practitioners in this craft

Practitioner interviews are in production. At least one practitioner featured in each craft will be a woman working in that trade. If you know someone still practising this craft, or would like to be featured, get in touch.

office@craftgate.org

Career pathway

Apprentice Smith

Forge basics - lighting and managing a forge, using hand tools, making simple forms

Forge safety, hammer technique, metal properties, BTEC L2 Blacksmithing

Blacksmith

Producing bespoke ironwork - gates, railings, furniture, architectural details

Hot forging, welding and cutting, design interpretation, finishing

Artist Blacksmith

Large-scale architectural and sculptural commissions

Design skills, scale drawing, client liaison, high standard finishing

Heritage Metalwork Specialist

Conserving and replicating historic ironwork - window armatures, structural cramps, screens

NVQ L3 Heritage Skills Heritage Metalwork, metal pathology, conservation ethics

Architectural Ironwork Conservator

Complex metalwork contracts on cathedrals, country houses, scheduled monuments

Advanced conservation, condition reporting, heritage liaison

Master Smith / Workshop Principal

Running a forge, taking commissions, training apprentices

Full craft mastery, business management, training delivery

Getting qualified

✓BTEC Level 2 in Blacksmithing
✓BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (Plumpton College or Herefordshire & Ludlow College)
✓Level 3 Apprenticeship in Blacksmithing
✓Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills - Heritage Metalwork
✓Professional bodies: British Artist Blacksmiths Association (BABA), Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

Find a placement

Ready to try Blacksmithing & Heritage Metalwork for yourself? Browse available placements with verified hosts.

View Blacksmithing & Heritage Metalwork placements ← All crafts

Ready to learn?

Start the Blacksmithing & Heritage Metalwork Foundation Pathway - 6 modules covering conservation philosophy to career qualifications.

Start Learning →