Forged with Fire & Passion:
Meet Master Blacksmith Dave
Tucked away behind the scenes here on the farm, there’s a quieter kind of magic at work. It’s not always seen, but it’s everywhere – in the gates you pass through, the railings you lean upon, the playful details that make children’s imagination run wild at Discovery Land…
That magic is forged by hand, by fire, and by Dave, our in-house master blacksmith.
A Craft That Chose Him
Dave’s journey into blacksmithing began at a time when traditional trades were fading fast. Growing up around Godstone, he saw first-hand how skills that once shaped communities were quietly disappearing – but something about metalwork stuck with him.
An apprenticeship followed, earning just £24 a week, where learning was hands-on, practical, and guided by masters who were paid to pass on their craft. “You either have the aptitude or you don’t”, Dave says. “It’s about common sense, maths… and a bit of artistry if you want to create something beautiful.”
From sawmills to building sites, and later setting up his own workshop in Dormansland in 1985 (until it was dramatically blown away in a storm!), Dave’s path has been anything but ordinary. There were stints in Australia and even time working out of an old bus garage – once used by Laura Ashley to print tea towels.
What It Really Means to Be a Blacksmith
One of the biggest misconceptions? That blacksmiths make horse shoes!
“That’s a farrier!” Dave laughs.
True blacksmithing is the art of shaping metal with heat and force, heating it until it glows, then hammering it into form on a solid anvil (a heavy metal block). While modern tools like MIG welders (which only really came into play in the 1980s) have their place, Dave is clear: “If you’re forging, that’s blacksmithing. The rest is welding.”
It’s a craft that takes a lifetime to master, passed down through generations. Dave himself learned from masters of the craft, and decades on, still approaches each project with the same mindset: think it through, plan it carefully… then get on with it.
Life at Priory Farm
Dave has been part of the Priory Farm family since 2021, though his connection goes back much further, he visited as a child when it was still a pick-your-own. Since joining the team, his impact has been remarkable; his work can be seen all across the farm.
From sturdy gates and miles of fencing to intricate railings, beautiful features and hidden structural supports, much of what Dave creates blends seamlessly into the landscape. Some pieces are purely functional; others are full of character and charm.
Look closely within Discovery Land and you might spot his handiwork in the smallest details, like the wonderfully crafted bugs (including a centipede with a full set of legs!). In the Garden Centre, he’s helped shape everything from our beautiful water feature to the stunning tree sculpture within our outdoor plant area.
And then there are the bigger, more playful creations, like Timber’s Leafy Lookout, one of our more recent play features at Discovery Land. A true highlight for Dave, it’s a piece that brings together engineering, creativity, and joy. “Seeing the kids enjoying it, that’s what it’s all about” he exclaims.
Alongside his metalwork, Dave is also known for lending a hand across the Estate, from spreading mulch to weeding, quietly keeping things running as they should.
From Idea to Iron
So, how does a piece come to life?
It starts simply: a conversation, an idea, a need. Sometimes it’s a rough sketch, sometimes just a few words exchanged across a workbench.
Then comes the thinking – often the longest and most important part of the process. Each project is different, whether it’s a simple hinge that takes 20 minutes or a complex structure that unfolds over months. Proportions, strength, aesthetics, and practicality all have to be considered before a single piece of metal is heated.
The essentials? “A welder, a hammer… and your brain,” Dave says. “Experience is everything.” It’s that experience that allows him to anticipate how metal will move, stretch, and respond under pressure, skills that can’t be rushed or easily taught.
As for temperature, there’s no need for gauges or digital readouts. Years of practice mean Dave can judge it by eye alone, reading the colour of the metal as it heats. At just the right moment, just before it begins to melt, it’s ready to be shaped, transformed from raw material into something both functional and beautiful.
From first idea to final form, every piece carries that journey within it, a blend of intuition, craftsmanship, and time-honoured skill.
Craft in a Modern World
Blacksmithing today faces a challenge. Mass-produced, machine-made products have largely replaced handmade work, making traditional craftsmanship increasingly rare. In a world driven by speed and convenience, the time, skill, and individuality behind forged pieces are often overlooked.
But that’s exactly what makes Dave’s work so special.
Everything he creates at Priory Farm is custom-made. Nothing off the shelf. Nothing rushed. Each piece begins with a purpose and is shaped with care, combining time-honoured techniques with a deep understanding of the material. It’s a slower process, certainly, but one that ensures quality, character, and longevity.
In choosing handmade over mass-produced, Dave preserves not just a craft, but a tradition, creating work that isn’t just built to function, but built to last, and to be appreciated for generations to come.
Fit For A King
Some of his most remarkable work has taken his craftsmanship far beyond the farm, earning recognition on an international scale. His ironwork can be found across the world, from elegant decorative gates and railings crafted for a château in Limoges, France, to bespoke commissions as far afield as Australia.
Among his most prestigious commissions was the creation of a stylised golden eagle, placed above the throne for the wedding ceremony of the present King of Jordan, a piece that demanded not only technical excellence but a deep sense of symbolism and artistry. Closer to home, he has also undertaken highly specialised projects such as crafting bespoke doors to fit reclaimed French stone arches in Berkshire, requiring absolute precision, patience, and trust.
Dave has even been recognised for his work, winning awards for ironwork, such as The National Champion Blacksmith (multiple times!) and numerous medals from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, a testament to the artistry behind the craft.
A Life Forged in Metal
Ask Dave what a typical day looks like, and the answer is simple: “Every day is different.”
That’s part of the appeal.
While much of his work happens indoors in the forge, no two days follow quite the same rhythm. One might be spent crafting smaller pieces at the bench, while another is taken up by larger, more demanding projects.
Being part of Priory Farm also means stepping outside into the landscape he helps shape, seeing his work in situ, weathered by time and enjoyed by visitors, quietly becoming part of the place itself.
A Craft Worth Discovering
For those curious about blacksmithing, Dave recommends starting with a course, getting hands-on and experiencing the process first-hand.
But if there’s one thing he’d like visitors to know, it’s this:
Everything you see here, every gate, every detail, every hidden structure, is made right here on the farm.
Forged with care. Built to last. And quietly shaping the Priory Farm experience in ways you might not even notice.
Next time you visit, take a closer look – you might just spot Dave’s handiwork.
Explore our Garden Centre
With over 40 years’ experience of growing and selling plants, a visit to Priory Farm Garden Centre is the perfect choice for any gardener.