Abney Park, South Lodge

Hackney City Farm

Learn about working with the grain, the basis for all woodworking. Use a shave horse and drawknife to make cooking utensils. 

Make your own cooking utensils! Learn the basics of green woodworking and working with the grain. Make a locally grown spatula  to take home with you. We will be using a shave horse and draw knife, traditional chair making tools that are very safe to use. Suitable for complete beginners.

This is a great taster course for anyone who's considering our longer courses. 

Limited low income and unwaged discounts are available for this course for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

This is a seated course, we will be working on shave horses, so it's suitable for people who are unable to stand for long periods of time. 



*The terms softwood and hardwood describe the leaves, seeds and structure of the trees rather than the type of wood they produce.*

Learn to use a shave horse, draw knife and a carving knife to make your own cooking utensils to take home with you. You will finish the day with a spatula and a butter knife to show off at home!

* Take home your own lovingly made butter knife and spatula
* Build upon the techniques learn during the class to become a proficient carpenter
* Try making other objects using these techniques, and pass on your knowledge and newly acquired skill set to friends with a similar interest

Take home your new butter knife and spatula!

Hurry! Save your spot soon as spaces are limited

Not quite the woodworking class you were looking for? [Click here for more woodworking classes in London](https://obby.co.uk/woodworking-classes-london).

Although this class has specific dates when it runs, you can also book it for a private group of 4-5 people on a day of your choosing! The cost of this is £50 per head and all you have to do is click [this link](https://obby.co.uk/group-workshops/london), enter the necessary details and then leave us to do our magic and arrange it for you. It couldn't be simpler!

Gurnam

The only downside was the cold, it was 2 degrees and felt a bit too cold to spend that much time outside. But we did have a fire to help.

Another great class from Jo. Was very useful for improving knife skills and getting more familiar with cutting with the grain. Small group which means you get lots of support from the teacher. Great setting in lovely Abney Park Cemetry, with a little fire and hot drinks to keep warm in winter.

This was an amazing day. I did the workshop a week after my Mum died and found a lot of peace in the connection with nature. The tutor was lovely - engaging, patient and talented. I highly recommend it!

Absolutely brilliant! I hope to come back for more.

Fantastic day with a great tutor, I went away so much more confident  to use a knife  safely and understanding how to work the wood. I'd recommend  these classes to anyone, even if it's a one off activity or to learn new skill. Jo was an excellent teacher and host. I'll definitely be back again.

Make a spatula

Alli Anthony

Jo is a fabulous teacher. We all worked at our own pace and Jo explained everything clearly. I went with my partner and two grown up sons. We all enjoyed it and I am really pleased with my spatula- thank you for a lovely day 

Natalie Harney

A really brilliant class. I learned lots and came having made something I was proud of. I’m going to try to come back for another class soon!

Tracey   Anderson 

Excellent workshop, which was for me more about the process , than my end result, as l Iove just whittling with Wood. 
I was however pretty pleased with my Spatula. 
Jo is a patient and inclusive teacher. Would recommend to anyone wanting to have a go. I can’t wait to do another class.
Very calming working in nature with wood!
Great morning 👍🏽

Lesley Moss

As a complete beginner I didn't know what to expect but I had a wonderful morning making my spatula. Everything was explained very clearly with lots of help at every stage. The London Green Wood instructor, Jo, was very friendly and encouraging. I'm now recommending this class to my friends and hoipe to go back to try a slightly more ambitious project.

Vanessa C

Sinead 

Everyone at LGW was super friendly and the day was lovely. The location at Hackney City Farm was beautiful, well covered (it was raining all morning) and we were given just the right amount of help vs time / space to go off and get on with making our spatulas. Would definitely recommend this for people who are into woodworking or just as something different to try. Was a lovely day and activity, and very well run. 

Philip Parnell

I thoroughly enjoyed the spatula making class. I learned a lot and the teacher was very friendly. Thank you for a great time.

p mcgrath

absolutely tremendous experience, such a lovely, welcoming, and supportive athmosphere and great fun. would highly reccomend it to anyone at all interested in working with their hands or just having a fun experience. 

JOHN  MATHER

My friend and I really enjoyed the spatula making class.  The tutors, Ben and Sharon, were friendly, accessible and very good.  I'm going to sign up to the 4 day class after this.  Highly recommended.

Gabrielle Bailey

SO MUCH FUN. Highly recommended,  just what I needed!

Mathieu Jones

I had a great time learning how to make a spatula out of green wood. Highly recommend.

Joey Mazars

Paul Greenhalgh

Great half day spatula making. Highly recommend doing this but do wear warm clothes if it's cold!

Karen Tickner

My husband and I really enjoyed the experience- recommended! 

James Carroll

Fantastic experience...great instructor! Positive environment...loved it!

Beth Ingram

Another brilliant course. Esther was great Thankyou 

Peter Bright

Fabulous workshop in a great local institution.

Ignacio Fernández Dussaut

The spatula carving class was excellent, I really enjoyed making the spatula. The instructor was awesome, helping me along the way. I would definitely recommend this class.

Viv Rowdon

Clear, kind, calm teaching, relaxed and focused atmosphere and lovely setting. Highly recommended.

Oli Savage

Great instructor, and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!

A welcoming and inclusive introduction to the fascinating world of working with wood. A responsive, kind and generous tutor and a convivial working environment. An ideal gift for friends & family.

Phyllida Jacobs

I really enjoyed this class. The instructor was very helpful and explained everything clearly, great for an absolute beginner. I found making something with my hands very satisfying. Hackney City Farm is a lovely setting for it, especially when the weather is nice. I'll definitely book another class. 

Ilaria Orsenigo

Wonderful experience making spatulas.  Lovely staff and amazing location to escape the hustle and bustle of London. Highly recommended! 

Jackie Wigley

Was a fantastic experience- Sharon was so clear and very patient! Would highly recommend this course! Wish it had gone on for longer.

caroline hewitt

Fabulous course - so lucky with the weather and lovely tutor.  Definitely recommend.

Michael Dillon

Such an enjoyable morning with a caring teacher - learning and making . 

Manu Rathore

Great space and the class was so much fun!

Cristina Clopatofsky

Would highly recommend the spatula making course. The instructor was calm and knowledgeable, and the 3 hours went by so quickly! I

Joe Williams

Had a lovely time making the spatula! Esther was a great teacher.

Matthew Farrugia

A renewing experience - perfect way to spend a morning! And a great birthday present for the one I love!

Sarah Page

Cosmos Roberts

I enjoyed my day at London Green Wood making a spatula . The process was explained step by step and the tutors are patient in answering any you have . I have to say once i started i was totally focused and managed to make two . And the experience was totally therapeutic, relaxing and calming and i will be looking to take up the bowl turning day as well. 

Daniel  Pattison

SPATULA IS MY NEW GOD. I AM BECOME SPATULA, WHITTLER OF WOODS. 

We had a really lovely time. It was incredibly meditative and and the instructor was very kind and patient. The time went by incredibly fast. Highly recommended. 

Clare Woods

We had such a lovely day! Matt, our instructor, was very nice and knowledgeable. 

Nonny Osakabe

The class was a good size for the teacher to give us all plenty of attention. Sharon was really enthusiastic about teaching and gave good instruction at each stage, and was always positive about everyone’s work. It was an interesting and relaxing way to spend a morning, in pleasant surroundings, even if it’s raining. I think it would also be great for tourists to make their own souvenir. 

Rita Jeffery

I booked this as a birthday present for my husband. There were only 4 of us in the class and the tutor was excellent. She showed us how to do each step, making sure that we were okay. Really enjoyable, relaxing experience. Thank you

Lewis O'Sullivan

Knowledgeable and friendly, would definitely go back.

Jane Heather

Beautiful morning spent at London Green Wood.
I loved the process of making a spatula from locally found Cherry wood and the gentle care from our tutor Lucy.
Will definitely be back to progress to a spoon :)

Mei-Mei  Peberdy 

My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop. It was a very calming and meditative experience working outdoors in a small group. Sam is a highly skilled, calm, and patient teacher. The techniques we learnt were simple for beginners to grasp. It is very intense on the hands and upper body - I  was aching for a couple of days afterwards. Perhaps something to consider if you have any disabilities or chronic illnesses like myself. 

Sanaya  Buhariwala-Collins

This was such a beautiful, memorable experience and a perfect gift for my boyfriend's birthday. Thank you to our very attentive teacher Sam, who was an extremely helpful, chatty and engaging - a real inspiration! Will absolutely book again, a wholesome experience!

Sean Eke

Excellent session and very fun. Very well informed instructor. 

Marie Merlet

Amazing workshop in a lovely space with wonderful tutors!

Lucy Jackson Watts

Spending time outdoors making a spatula was THE BEST way I could possibly have spent a few hours on a Sunday morning. I was welcomed so kindly, instructions were clear, equipment and materials were provided and enjoyable to use and it was such a super location. I have some experience in wood work but it was great to learn from very experienced teachers. I can't wait to go on a longer training course with London Green Wood.  

Hannah Maude Martha Billie Zbitnew

i absolutely loved the spatula making class. andrea was the instructor and they did a brilliant job! i am waiting impatiently for the wood to dry and look forward to using my spatula for many years to come. may have discovered a new hobby. would recommend this highly to anyone who likes to be crafty. 

Claire Lindsay

Such a lovely workshop, in a lovely setting, with lovely people. It felt great to be outdoors working with wood, guided kindly by a helpful and gentle teacher to make my first ever spatula! Very relaxing and grounding. Thank you!

Isobel Jobson

I came on the spatula making workshop with my sister with no previous woodworking experience. We were shown how to use the drawknife to smooth the wood, then shape into our spatulas. Annie was a fantastic instructor- very friendly, knowledgeable and clear. This was a great activity and I'm looking forward to cooking my first meal with my spatula! 10/10 would recommended 

Hal Arnold Forster

amazing! Had a great time and would go again 

Liv Wennstedt

We absolutely adored this workshop! Such a lovely experience with an incredible group of people!!

Rowena Morris-Denholm

Ani was very welcoming - and taught and guided us superbly. All five group members were individually supported and our varied skills  /challenges were celebrated thus giving a very personal experience. We all enjoyed the challenge and could not have wished for a better host.

Wendy Huang

I love the space and the warm welcome from the teachers! The class I took was making a spatula and it was a lot of fun to do some woodcraft. It's a mindfulness practice and creativity exploration. They will guide you through all the steps and they will kindly answer all your questions during the session. I will definitely go back to another class. Thank you the London Green Wood.

Kate Flanagan

I took part in the spatula making class with my partner and we both loved it! Our course leaders were really clear with their instructions, making it fun and easy for complete beginners. We also liked how informal and relaxed the entire setting was, and I am hoping to do more courses with London Green Wood when I can. It was so fun, thank you! 

Georgia Hume

We absolutely loved our private spatula carving session with Annie, arranged for our dad’s birthday. It was so therapeutic and calming and such a lovely way to spend a morning together as a family!

Georgia Mantle

Had such a great afternoon at London Green Wood! Thank you Andrea for being such a great teacher really enjoyed the course 

Olivia Davis

Really enjoyable afternoon.  No experience required and Jacob was a great teacher.

Sophie Timson

Had a very pleasant afternoon carving a spatula on the farm! Great tuition in a super space.  It's an addictive and therapeutic activity. Thanks 

I had a great time making my spatula! It was 3 hours of calm and focus, which is rare for me these days. 
The tutor Annie was excellent, attentive and knowledgable. They helped me where I needed it and gave me the confidence to get through even though I picked a bit of a strange block of wood! 

Looking forward to using my new spatula when it's dried and oiled. Thanks London Green Wood! 

Sibel Yaman

Elen Carpenter

Fabulous workshop. Knowledgeable, helpful and friendly instructor. Very satisfied with my take home project and can't wait to try what I learned at home.

Alice Priestland

We made spatulas and it was so great! As there were 6 of us we had our own booking, it was really fun, and well taught. Definitely recommend

Zaid Moosa

Had a great day at Spatula Workshop, the trainers were very clear and patient and made it a really enjoyable experience, recommend anyone to give it a go!

Vasiliy Demchenko

We had a great time with London Green Wood making our spatulas.  Sharon was very informed and provided us with plenty of guidance.  Already planning our next workshop!

Laura Le Ray

It was a really enjoyable experience! We had time to make two spatulas and I can’t wait to start using them once they’re dried! 

Alan Fricker

Loved this course.  Well delivered and very satisfying.  I made a couple of spatulas in the end that I am looking forward to using. Very happy to recommend this course

Kevin Saey

I got the spatula workshop as a gift for my partner and we really enjoyed it. The price is very good relative to similar workshops in London, and we actually managed to learn a lot and get a beautiful piece home! Jacob was  friendly and good at explaining the technique and he gave everyone in the class the individual attention that we needed. Will definitely be back for a different class!

Paul  Taylor

It was a great experience, Jacob was a very good teacher, great venue, nice and relaxed , and came away  with something i  had made 

Tessie Jordan

I really enjoyed the course. The teacher was good, there was a friendly atmosphere and it was great to have a go at creating something using traditional skills and tools. 

Make a spatula at Hackney City Farm

Antonia Collyer

So good, I registered for the 4 day course! 

Tiphaine Pittet

We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the course! Thank you again!

Iona Buddle

It was really great, the teacher was super transparent and helpful,  however 3 hours didn't seem like enough time for a beginner, i was not able to finish my spatula in that time and it is really thick and unusable sadly. But i would be interested to go back and spend more time on something. 

Peter Welsh

Excellent experience, will definitely look to try more in the future 

Marion Lloyd

I didn't really expect to master new woodworking skills, but - hey! - I made a marvellous spatula out of a log of pear wood.  It was quite a magical operation, taught with expertise, encouragement and patience.  All of our group of 6 were rather amazed by our results.  It was a very enjoyable 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon.

Sally Clegg

This was such a fun day for me and my boyfriend! Really great class, very friendly and relaxed, and we were so happy with what we made in such a short time. 

Choose a date

August 2025

September 2025

October 2025

Can't make these dates?