One day | £90 | All materials included

Want to know more?

What you’ll make

You’ll carve a Celtic knot design in Maltese limestone. The stone is soft enough to work in a day but takes detail well, and the finished piece is something you can keep or give as a gift. Traditional hand tools—mallet, chisels, rasps—the same techniques used for centuries.

What you’ll learn

The day covers the fundamentals: how to hold and use the tools safely, reading the grain of the stone, working from a design, and achieving clean lines. By the end you’ll understand why stone responds the way it does, and you’ll have the skills to continue carving if you want to.

No previous experience needed. If you can use a hammer, you can carve stone.

Materials & tools

Everything’s provided: Maltese limestone, a full set of carving tools (mallet, chisels in various widths, rasps, rifflers), safety equipment, and dust masks. You’ll work at a dedicated carving station with proper lighting and ventilation.

Your finished piece goes home with you at the end of the day.

Schedule

10am – 4pm

Introduction, tool handling, starting your design in the morning. Morning tea/coffee is included, and a lunch break between 12:30–1:15pm – the Secret Cafe is next door if you don’t bring your own.

The afternoon session continues the carving, refining details, and finishing techniques.

The pace is steady but not rushed. Stone doesn’t respond well to hurrying.

Who this is for

Anyone interested in traditional crafts, working with their hands, or learning something outside their usual routine. The course suits complete beginners – no art background or manual skills assumed.

If you’re considering a longer course but want to try it first, this is a good starting point. If you just want to carve something and see how it feels, that works too.

Practical details

Location: The Stone Man Workshop, Luddendenfoot, Halifax, HX2 6EQ. Free parking on site.

What to wear: Old clothes that can get dusty, closed-toe shoes (steel toecaps not required but sensible). Long hair should be tied back.

What to bring: Lunch if you prefer not to use the Secret Cafe. Water and tea/coffee provided throughout the day.

Group size: Maximum 6 people per course, which means individual attention when you need it.

Ready to start?

Available dates and times are shown in the booking system. If you’re booking using a gift voucher, contact me by phone or email rather than booking online.

Questions about the course? Email studio@philipobriensculpture.uk