How It All Began
Every fire starts with a single spark. For me, Duncan, that spark was a simple blacksmithing taster session. What began as a fascinating day quickly ignited into a deep, enduring passion. I set up a small hobby forge in my garden, spending countless hours learning how to move and shape steel. That backyard setup eventually grew into a full-time calling, leading to the creation of Sheiling Forge as a dedicated professional workspace. Today, I am incredibly proud to say that the forge is a true family endeavour, with one of my sons now working alongside me at the anvil.
We work with iron the traditional way: heated in the forge, shaped on the anvil, finished by hand. No shortcuts, no mass production. Every piece we make carries the marks of the hammer — and that's exactly how we like it.
Over the years, our work has found its way into homes and gardens across the North of England. From a simple hook to a full set of architectural gates, we approach every commission with the same care.
Our Values
Handmade, always
In our workshop, there is no assembly line and no automated machinery churning out identical products. "Hand made" isn't just a label for us; it is the absolute core of our daily practice. Every piece of steel that leaves our shop has been personally handled, heated in the forge, and deliberately struck. Because we rely on the physical act of shaping metal with a hammer and anvil, complemented by precise TIG and MIG welding when the project calls for it, no two items are ever exactly alike.
Family craft
At Sheiling Forge, blacksmithing is more than a trade; it is a shared passion. Working side-by-side at the anvil allows us to combine our strengths and preserve traditional techniques, passing down a profound respect for the craft from one generation to the next. Because this is a family endeavour, our personal pride goes into every single hammer blow. We treat our clients' projects with the same care and dedication we would bring to our own home, ensuring that everything leaving our Lancashire workshop carries the authentic mark of our family's craftsmanship.
Built to last
In a world increasingly filled with mass-produced, throwaway goods, we stand firmly for permanence. Using traditional blacksmithing we craft functional heirlooms designed to withstand the test of time and be passed down for generations.
Lancashire roots
We're proud of where we come from. Based in Myerscough, West Lancashire, our forge is surrounded by a region with a rich, deep-rooted history of agriculture, industry, and hard work. That heritage shapes everything we make. Just like the rugged landscape of the North West, our ironwork is built to endure.
The Workshop
Sheiling Forge is a true, active blacksmith's shop where the old and the new seamlessly intersect. We heat our steel in a modern propane gas forge before shaping it the time-honored way by hand, with hammer and anvil. To achieve the highest quality in every bespoke piece, we believe in using the absolute best method for the job. This means we proudly blend historical craftsmanship with contemporary precision. Depending on the requirements of your project, we might utilize traditional techniques like authentic forge welding and hot riveting, or we may employ modern TIG and MIG welding. This balanced approach ensures that every item we craft is not only rich in character, but structurally unyielding and built to last.
Ready to Create Something Special?
Tell us what you have in mind, and we’ll reply with ideas, timing, and simple next steps—let’s make it happen together.