About Us

Forge Ways

Forge Ways is dedicated to providing a variety of workshops and hand made items in the beautiful Dyfi Valley on the southern edge of the Snowdonia National Park.

We run a variety of scheduled short courses throughout the year at our tranquil private woodland and the local Centre for Alternative Technology and you can also find us at festivals all over the UK demonstrating and running free workshops (check out the calendar here). Courses range from spoon and spatula carving, shrink pot carving, stool and table making, bushcraft courses and parties, guided walking and even axe throwing. If you're after a bespoke course for individuals, couples, families or groups then buy a voucher here?

Neil Hopkins

Neil is part of a two person team which run Forge Ways and is the main tutor .

Neil moved to the Dyfi Valley in 2007 to work as a Renewable Engineering Project Manager and foster parent, to live a more sustainable way of life on a smallholding, nestled in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains. He has a passion for traditional skills and low impact ways of living, combined with a wealth of experience instructing in the outdoors. Neil has diverse qualifications and experience of arboriculture, green wood working and bushcraft. He can often be found amongst the mountains as a member of his local mountain rescue team.

Neil delivers courses with a calm competency, enabling students to learn skills in a relaxed learning environment that is both mindful and along permaculture principles.

Neil has an enhanced DBS check and is experienced in delivering workshops in a sensitive way to people with diverse backgrounds and needs.

Jayne Hopkins

Jayne is the backbone of Forge Ways, always offering support and encouragement to any students or guests. She can carve a mean spoon too.