Who are we? The Northern School of Woodwork (previously called Wharfedale Workshop as we used to be in Ilkley in Wharfedale) runs a range of courses specialising in hand tool woodwork at beginner and intermediate levels.
INTRO TO ROUTING – ONE DAY COURSE THIS SUNDAY 19 JULY – ONE PLACE OPEN DUE TO ILLNESS – EMAIL ASAP
See below for more detail on all our courses. Email for booking and payment details.
2 DAY INTRODUCTION TO FINE WOODWORKING COURSE – £295.
This is the core course we run and focuses entirely on hand tools and the skills needed to begin to make boxes, cabinets and simple furniture. It is the best starter course we have and is suitable for absolute beginners and “returners” alike. You will leave at the end of the weekend with a core skill set to enable you to begin to make fine woodwork projects. (You may not be ABLE to do it all yet but you will know HOW to do it!)
Courses run every month – check out the Google reviews!
Next places available 12/13 September . Email to secure.
ROUTER SKILLS COURSE: £195 one day comprehensive course for complete beginners to the powered router. Covers everything you need to know to use a router safely and accurately.
Next course Sunday 19 July 2026 1 place left
BOX MAKING COURSE: £420 The popular box making course is now being run over 12 Tuesday evenings. This will allow us to make a very nice dovetailed, hinged English ash or oak box with lining! We will also have time for some hand tool basic training as well. Hard work but very rewarding. Beginners welcome.
Booking now open for 8th September 2026 box making course – Just 2 places left. Email if you would like to take a place.
READ THIS! You will find more details on each of these courses on the relevant page of this website – access these using the menu at the top. Once you have looked at that information, email to book a place and we will send booking and payment details; you can’t book directly from this site. Looking forward to seeing you in the workshop! You will also find some FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Bench Making
This rather fine bench has now been taken to its new home, has had the base painted and is waiting on a few coats of danish oil for the oak top. We run this one a one to one basis and are on our sixth bench this year. Each bench is made by you with our help, to your style and dimensions; find more info here – Bench Making
What do we do? Our most popular course is our 2 day introduction to fine/hand tool woodworking which gives a thorough introduction to woodwork. This course runs every month and places tend to be booked very quickly. We also run two other courses in Box making and Routing; these run around once a quarter. People also come to make a work bench – this is done on a one to one basis.
Where do we do it? Our workshop is in Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, near Leeds. Find out more about our workshop, the mill and our neighbours here:
How do I book a course or ask a question? You can contact us by email at northernschoolofwoodwork@gmail.com Also, if this website doesn’t answer your questions then find out more ways to contact us here but do read the FAQs (below) first:
FAQs
Is the 2 day introduction course suitable for complete beginners? – Yes it is
Under 18s? – Sorry no as the insurance does not allow it – we are not aware of any children’s woodworking courses
Do I need to bring any tools? – No all you need is provided
Lunch? – Bring sandwiches or several nearby options to buy hot or cold food – tea and biscuits provided
Parking? – On site and free
Booking on-line? – No. Email and we will reply with booking and payment details
Availability of courses? – This website is kept up to date with available dates for the individual courses
Small print: You may cancel or change your course (if space available) at no charge with 6 weeks notice; 2-6 weeks notice 50% fee retained; 1-13 days notice 100% fee retained. We will however always try and fill your space (and often do) but this is not guaranteed. One to one days are not refundable. Vouchers must be used within 6 months of purchase.
Box making 