Run by blacksmith Spike Martin, the forge is located in the Old Builders Yard at Quex Park in Birchington. What began as a personal fascination with the craft has grown into a full-time passion and a workshop where both handcrafted pieces and immersive blacksmithing experiences are created. Spike’s journey into the craft started with training under blacksmith Ross Berry at Kaos Blacksmiths, where he learned the foundations of forging before developing his own skills and style at his own forge and anvil. Over the years he has continued to refine his techniques, expanding into knife making, tool production and mixed metal work.
Blacksmithing is one of the oldest crafts in human history, and stepping into the forge feels like travelling back in time. Here, glowing steel is heated in a coal fire and shaped using hammer and anvil, just as it has been for centuries. Each piece created at Bearded Pig Forge is hand forged and refined by eye, giving every item its own character and individuality. From practical tools to decorative items and jewellery, the emphasis is always on traditional methods and craftsmanship.
Much of the work produced at the forge is inspired by history. Spike has a particular love for historical craftsmanship and often creates pieces influenced by different periods, from the Migration Era through to the late medieval period, as well as items inspired by the 17th and 18th centuries. By recreating tools and objects from the past, the forge keeps traditional metalworking skills alive while giving them a modern audience.
One of the most exciting aspects of Bearded Pig Forge is that visitors don’t just get to watch the craft in action – they can take part themselves. The forge runs hands-on blacksmithing courses where participants can spend a day learning the fundamentals of working with hot metal. These experiences are designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, with expert guidance provided throughout the process.
During a typical day course, participants learn how to heat, shape and forge steel using traditional techniques. Students might create a twisted fire poker, decorative hooks or other practical items for the home, gaining a real understanding of how raw metal is transformed into something useful and beautiful. Even complete beginners can leave with a finished piece they have made themselves.
The courses run throughout the day in the forge workshop at Quex Park, with all protective equipment provided. Guests simply need to bring their curiosity and enthusiasm – and perhaps a packed lunch for the break between forging sessions.
Beyond the courses, the forge also produces a range of handcrafted items including knives, tools, jewellery and decorative pieces. Many of these are created in small batches or as one-off pieces, each shaped individually in the fire before being carefully finished by hand.
Together with the other creative studios around the Quex Craft Village, Bearded Pig Forge forms part of a thriving community of makers and artisans. It is a place where traditional skills are celebrated, where visitors can discover the fascinating world of metalworking, and where a simple bar of steel can become something remarkable.
Whether you are interested in history, craftsmanship or simply trying something completely different, Bearded Pig Forge offers a memorable experience that connects the modern world with one of humanity’s oldest and most enduring crafts.
