What is the minimum age to participate?

The workshop is for ages 14 and over. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a participating or supervising adult.

How long is the session?

Each session runs 2.5 hours; morning and afternoon slots are available on the listed dates.

Do I need prior experience?

No prior smithing experience is required—full tuition and demonstrations are provided for beginners.

Is safety equipment provided?

Yes. All safety gear and a full safety briefing are included in the session price.

Is travel to Tanfield Railway included?

No. A train ride or other travel to East Tanfield Station DH9 9UY is not included in the booking.

Can I cancel or transfer my booking?

Bookings for this experience are non-refundable and non-transferable, so confirm travel plans before booking.

Forging at Marley Hill: Hands-On Blacksmithing Workshop in Gateshead

Marley Hill Engine Shed at Tanfield Railway sits on the industrial edge of Gateshead, England, where soot-dark brick and iron meet the quiet of the reclaimed rail yard. The Blacksmithing Experience invites visitors to step away from screens and shape metal at a working forge, learning hammer technique, heat control and finishing under expert tuition. This 2.5-hour session is tightly focused: up to ten participants share the engine shed forge for a hands-on introduction to traditional smithing. You will heat, bend and hammer a length of hot steel on an anvil, use tongs and hammers, and finish a small, take-home piece. The workshop includes all materials, safety equipment, a safety briefing, and a hot drink and sweet treat; note that a train ride is not included. Sessions run morning and afternoon with specific dates published for July and August 2026. What sets this experience apart is its setting inside the Marley Hill Engine Shed. The space itself - brick walls, coal-scarred beams, and the low glow of a working forge - offers a visceral link to the region's industrial past. Working metal here feels immediate and local: you're practicing a craft closely tied to the maintenance and machinery that once moved goods and people on the nearby tracks. The group size keeps instruction personal while preserving the social energy of a communal workshop. Practicalities are straightforward but important: arrive at East Tanfield Station DH9 9UY ten minutes before your session, bring your ability to handle tools and lift modest weight, and note the age and height restrictions - participants must be 14 or older, under-16s must be supervised, and a minimum height of 4ft 5in (135cm) applies. The experience is physical but accessible to fit, able-bodied visitors who want a tactile, skill-based day. Sessions include full tuition and safety gear, and the instructor will tailor demonstration and feedback to individual pace. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and cotton clothing to avoid synthetic fabrics near the forge; long hair should be tied back. Because the workshop is physically active and uses hot metal, participants should disclose any mobility limitations or medical concerns when booking. The meeting point is clear - East Tanfield Station DH9 9UY - and the experience is non-refundable and non-transferable, so plan travel accordingly. Bring curiosity, a steady hand, and simple work gloves.

About Tanfield Railway

Tanfield Railway is a heritage railway based in Tanfield Lea, England, operating steam-hauled and heritage train experiences through the Causey Valley. The railway offers a range of public events and specialist rides including Afternoon Tea Trains, Heritage Steam Train Rides, Freight Train Guard Experience, Steam Engine Footplate Ride, Mince Pie Specials and seasonal events such as the Gan' Canny Gala. Guests travel in restored Victorian carriages and can enjoy scenic journeys, walks in the Causey Valley and visits to onsite facilities.

Tanfield Railway provides hands-on opportunities that recreate historic railway roles. Booked experiences include a Footplate Pass that allows participants to join the steam crew for a full round trip, and a Freight Train Guard Experience where participants perform guard duties in a Harton A16 brake van. Many experiences include period dress, take-home goody bags and certificates where listed, and some bookings offer an online discount.

The site features Marley Hill Engine Shed, described as Europe’s oldest working engine shed, and operates services across a wooded valley route. Tanfield Railway promotes safe, ticketed visits and encourages online bookings where available. Visitor information, schedules and ticket details are published by the railway for each listed event. For those seeking heritage rail experiences in County Durham, Tanfield Railway provides authentic steam rides, specialty dining on board and themed seasonal trips that highlight local railway history.

Timetables, ticket prices and accessibility information are provided on the railway's listings for each experience, helping visitors plan trips and book online well before arrival and departure.