One Day Stone Carving Workshop at Abbey House Glastonbury

Name: One Day Stone Carving Workshop at Abbey House Glastonbury
Start: 2026-08-20T09:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-08-20T17:00:00+01:00
Location: Abbey House

Schedule

Thu Aug 20 2026 at 09:00 am to 05:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Abbey House | Glastonbury, EN

Stone carving has been carried out by countless cultures around the world going back thousands of years. The tools and techniques of hand working have changed very little in that time and working with stone will open your eyes to the skill and beauty of medieval sculpture both at the Abbey and in historic buildings in general.
This course is designed for both complete beginners and those with some experience of stone carving.
It is tutored by experienced mason, carver and conservator, Nick Durnan who has worked at many cathedrals including Wells, Exeter, Salisbury, Canterbury and Rochester. He has been teaching for over 40 years and has run many stone carving weekend and one day courses.
The course will cover: tool and stone selection, carving and stone working techniques, health and safety in the carver’s workshop. This course, with a high level of individual tuition, is structured to the needs and abilities of the participants. You can choose a relief carving like Celtic knotwork, a simple foliage or rosette design, leaves, work in the round making a platonic solid or use a design of your own choice. You will be working in a soft fine grained limestone like Caen or Bath limestone which you can take away with you at the end of the course.
On this one-day course you will be able to complete either a simple relief Celtic knot or leaf carving, two of the platonic solids or a simple design of your choice.
Additional Information
All stone, materials and equipment (limestone, chisels, hammers) are supplied.
You may wish to bring a pen and paper to take notes and a camera. There will be a selection of stone sculpture and carving books and illustrations for your reference.
Tea & coffee are provided.
Please be aware:
Workshop tickets are not refundable or transferrable
This workshop takes place at Abbey House and there is no access via the main abbey site
Abbey House is not suitable for pets
Abbey House is not open to the general public and only those with a valid workshop ticket may attend.