Rowden Atelier Woodworking School

Best week ever! Our teacher Johnathan was simply brilliant at encouraging us to always aim to get finer results, whilst supporting us as we learnt new skills. Somehow he also made the week fun.All the instructors and longer term students made us feel welcome from day1. The daily talks were absolutely fascinating and the inspiration from everyone was priceless. You wouldn’t believe what can be achieved in wood until you’ve seen it at Rowden!

I completed the weekend woodworking course last week, and had a really enjoyable and informative time. Booking was easy, with timely and useful information provided by Sarah. The instruction was exceptional, Ed provided just the right amount of information to allow you to progress, with additional tips and tricks added when required. I learnt loads, if you have an interest in improving your skills and knowledge I cannot recommend this course enough.

Weekend box making with Ed Wild, a wonderfully patient and knowledgeable instructor. We were just two students and we covered a wide range of wood working skills, learning a tremendous amount in a busy and absorbing two days. I finished the weekend with a wonderful walnut and sycamore box made by myself with a precision and finish that I could have only dreamed of before coming to Rowden. Recommended.

I have just finished the one month course at Rowden. During this period we were instilled with attention to detail second to none - planing, sawing, chiselling, joining, honing, sanding, polishing and actually using our eyes to see the tiniest of imperfections and then correcting them. Taking a rough piece of wood and turning it into a beautiful object was wonderful. Our tutor Christian was amazing - in a calm and humorous way he got the best out of all of the group. The course has inspired me but also made me painfully aware of the skill and time it takes to make a piece of furniture - the Rowden team are incredible and an opportunity to time spent with them is not to be missed.

Just back from completing the one-week course at Rowden. The whole experience was brilliant from start to finish. Beforehand Sarah and Matt answered all my questions and were super efficient getting everything set up, helping with advice and accommodation questions. The course itself focused on developing fundamental skills for accurate woodwork. Our tutor Jonathan was patient, challenging and a great teacher. He had loads of advice and experience and was happy to answer our many questions about a career in fine furniture. I was really pleased with what I achieved at the end of the week. It was good to get the opportunity to chat to the students on the longer courses.I really can't think of any downsides, if I was been really picky then Rowden is fairly rural making a car a necessity (or a long bike ride). That said, part of the appeal is how nice and rural that part of Devon is.I am sure I will be back at Rowden in the future.

I had a really great weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed the box making course, who'd have thought I would be able to make something that looks so beautiful in such a short amount of time - not me for sure! And I was totally immersed in what I was doing, a truly perfect way to relax.Ed was an extremely good tutor, very patient and encouraging, making very clear instructions as we went along.Thanks very much, I am inspired and have the confidence to continue woodworking and to make the most of the beautiful tools that my father left behind.

I completed the 12 months course at Rowden and had a brilliant year - I learned a huge amount in that short space of time and that is really testament to the quality of teaching. The course has given me the confidence to now undertake a career change to pursue a career as a cabinet maker, and having Rowden on my CV was certainly helpful when it came to finding employment. I met some great people at the school and the opportunity to live in North Devon was a lot of fun.

I did the month -long course at Rowden in July. The group was just five people, which I gather is about the usual intake size for the courses at Rowden. There were other students at different stages on the year and six month courses, all of whom were friendly, encouraging and helpful. This attitude was also noticeable in the tutors, all of whom were happy to help even if not directly tasked with teaching our group.Our tutor, Steve explained things clearly and was encouraging. Our group was very mixed in terms of previous experience but Steve was able to adapt quickly to the needs of each student as he moved around the workshop. He ensured that everybody achieved the precision of working required and we were each encouraged to work at our own pace. The daily lectures, attended by all students were also interesting and useful.I found the course extremely enjoyable and rewarding. It fulfilled all my hopes and expectations and filled me with confidence. I would recommend the course very strongly to anyone who wants to become more confident and skilled with hand tools.

I attended the one month course at Rowden, and loved it! We were five students in total with various levels of previous experience, and our teacher Steve made sure that everyone were challenged appropriately. I really enjoyed my time both in class and socially, and I was sad to leave. If circumstances would allow it, I would have continued staying for longer! I can't recommend Rowden enough and I hope to be able to take another course there one day.