About us

We are a collective of Artist Blacksmiths in North Norfolk who are passionate about creating bespoke metalwork for our clients whoever they may be.

Holkham Forge has been operating for three years in the 19th century forge on the Holkham Estate. It was created with the merger of two separate forges and three separate blacksmiths with 30+ years of experience between them.

We are proud tennants of the Holkham Estate in North Norfolk. In 2009 we moved into the original mid-ninteenth century Estate forge with help from the Norfolk Coast Partnership Sustainable Development Fund to install new infrastructure and equipment.

We are menbers of the British Artist Blacksmith Association (BABA) and you can see larger photos of our work on our BABA profile page.

Holkham Forge Partnership are:

James Spedding: Blacksmith for 7 years, journeyman smith for 2 years, Apprentice for 1 year

Roger Foyster: Blacksmith self taught for 17years after studying graphic design

Helen Spedding: Artist for 18 years, blacksmith for 5 years

Other smiths in the Forge...

Arthur Purdy: Apprentice for 12 months

David Capes: He is the reason we all became blacksmiths; our teacher and mentor for many years, who was sadly killed on his motorbike on the A47. He casts a long shadow in the forge with the memory of his creativity, ingenuity and filthy jokes.

The Forge has been in the press a couple of times recently. Below are links to the EDP and Anglia TV News.

World Forging Championship
James was fortunate to be on the team chosen as winners of the biennial World Forging Championships in Stia Italy (September 2011)
Here is the link to the regional ITV News coverage

Admiral Wilson Bench
We recently completed a project to make a piece of sculptural seating for Abel Homes in Swaffham.
Here is the link to the EDP news article

Great Snoring Village Sign
In April 2011 the Great Snoring Village Sign was finally installed. We were the third set of blacksmiths to work on the project after the sad death of David Capes.
Here is the link to the EDP News Article