Burngate Stone Carving Centre
Burngate Stone Carving Centre
Burngate Stone Carving Centre
5
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
About
Located in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, Burngate provides facilities and expert tuition in traditional stone carving skills for locals and visitors. We offer a varied programme of courses and activities with something to suit everyone from 8 years to 80+. The location is inspirational, and the surrounding landscape is designated as an AONB, it is also part of the Jurassic coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have a small, friendly tearoom serving Dorset tea, locally roasted Carve Coffee, cake, and local Purbeck ice cream. Sit back and relax in the peace and quiet. We have gallery space exhibiting a variety of arts, crafts and stone sculpture by local artists and sculptors. General information. We run Have-a-Go carving sessions - two hours of fun! Ideal for all ages whatever the weather. Courses to suit all levels of experience. Courses include: Freeform Carving, Relief and Intro to Stone Carving, Ideal for individuals, family/groups/corporate.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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5.0
58 reviews
Excellent
56
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Gabriella N
Bournemouth, UK106 contributions
Sept 2021 • Solo
I’ve just been on a one day stone carving course. And it was fab.
The location is gorgeous, views all the way over to Isle of Wight and in lush green countryside.
There were 8 of us on the course. I brought some pictures for ideas and the tutor (Jigger Stockley) helped decide which would be do-able for a novice. The centre also had an ideas folder for anyone who didn’t bring pics.
Jigger spent time with all of us individually, going through the stages of creating relief work, all the way from initial drawing through to polishing and washing off the dust.
It was really absorbing and great to take your mind off everyday concerns (and we laughed that it’s also a great way to get rid of annoyances by hitting stone with a hammer and chisel 😊)
Really recommend.
The location is gorgeous, views all the way over to Isle of Wight and in lush green countryside.
There were 8 of us on the course. I brought some pictures for ideas and the tutor (Jigger Stockley) helped decide which would be do-able for a novice. The centre also had an ideas folder for anyone who didn’t bring pics.
Jigger spent time with all of us individually, going through the stages of creating relief work, all the way from initial drawing through to polishing and washing off the dust.
It was really absorbing and great to take your mind off everyday concerns (and we laughed that it’s also a great way to get rid of annoyances by hitting stone with a hammer and chisel 😊)
Really recommend.
Written 11 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The team at Burngate are really pleased you enjoyed the experience of stone carving, and it is a great way to escape every day life and be absorbed in a creative art. Look forward to welcoming you back next year 2022!!
regards Claire
Written 15 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracey L
1 contribution
Dec 2021
Amazing! Thoroughly enjoyed our “have a go” session with Jigger and could not believe the results we achieved from being complete novices. Stunning location too. Would highly recommend, to anyone wanting to do something a bit different, a crafty couple of hours immersed in tap-tapping away and trying something new. We shall be returning, along with our three impressed and now jealous teenagers, very soon we hope! Jigger is a very talented craftsman and has an incredible teaching quality that relaxes you in and makes it such an enjoyable experience. Lovely welcome too. Overall… what a day! Cannot wait to dream up some designs (not too ambitious) for another short session or have the courage to take it a step further and allow Jigger to help us create something even more impressive?! Worth every penny. Whatever your artistic/creative level is, we would say “have a go” as you won’t be disappointed. Have fun!
Written 2 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SnapBadger
Stafford, UK6 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We’ve travelled past Burngate Stone Carving Centre many times and this year we got our act together and booked an introductory session for a couple of hours with Jigger Stockley, the Stone Mason.
On arrival we were greeted warmly by Di, who gave us a quick tour of the facilities (all adhering to current physical distancing measures re: COVID).
With 5 children aged 6-16 it may have been difficult to keep them all engaged and on track, but Jigger was great, providing one on one guidance when you needed it, and we came away having thoroughly enjoyed our time. It’s amazing what you can produce in just 2 hours.
I would highly recommend Burngate Stone Carving Centre. You won’t regret it
On arrival we were greeted warmly by Di, who gave us a quick tour of the facilities (all adhering to current physical distancing measures re: COVID).
With 5 children aged 6-16 it may have been difficult to keep them all engaged and on track, but Jigger was great, providing one on one guidance when you needed it, and we came away having thoroughly enjoyed our time. It’s amazing what you can produce in just 2 hours.
I would highly recommend Burngate Stone Carving Centre. You won’t regret it
Written 22 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear SnapBadger,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! When you've created your new masterpieces with the tools you purchased, you must send us pictures!
We're so glad you enjoyed your session and we hope to see you again.
Written 24 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah F
london34 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
My 9 and 12 year olds had a great time on one of the 2 hour ‘have a go’ stone carving sessions. Ideally situated just outside Swanage, the centre has lovely views and offers something unique. Jigger, the tutor, was patient and knowledgeable and the office manager and volunteer were friendly and welcoming. The groups are small which suits the space available and means everyone gets plenty of guidance. Refreshments were offered halfway through the session, and there is a tiny, but well stocked shop selling I’ve cream and local crafts. There are also some exceptional stone pieces available for sale, or simply to admire. There is much scope for development here. Maybe children’s parties? I was really glad we discovered this place and my children loved creating their stone blocks. A really nice way to keep children off their screens for a bit! Great value too.
Written 15 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely comments and its good to know that the size and course guidance enhanced your experience. We are hoping to expand what we are able to offer and will feedback your suggestions to the Trustees. Look forward to seeing you all again Claire
Written 1 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ish1983
Southampton, UK88 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
My husband and I did the 2 hour taster session and it was brilliant! We were shown the basic techniques of stone carving and given our own tablet to carve. Nico our instructor was lovely, friendly and very helpful. Location was stunning and the whole experience was amazing. Great value for money and will definitely go back for the full day experience
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clothkitty
Northampton, UK8 contributions
Sept 2021 • Solo
Spent a fantastic 2 hrs learning the basics of relief stone carving under the expert tuition of Jigger. There were only 3 in our session so had plenty of one to one help. Jigger was full of stories about stone masonry, how he got into it and show off the work of other masons who he has taught.
A great way to spend the morning on a dank Thursday.
A great way to spend the morning on a dank Thursday.
Written 9 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SDorset
Poole, UK3 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
This is such an excellent place offering a wonderful opportunity to learn something completely new. I have no art skills but I signed up to support a 10 and 13 year old in the “Have a go” session. It was brilliant fun and all three of us took home a worthy piece of art/ carving. Jigger is an excellent patient tutor and true craftsman with lots of interesting tales about his craft and life. All the staff here are so friendly they really make your morning a great experience.
We Will be back !
You don’t need to be arty, 8-80 could do it and you will all get something out of it so well worth just giving it a go. Very reasonably priced.
Thank you to the whole team.
We Will be back !
You don’t need to be arty, 8-80 could do it and you will all get something out of it so well worth just giving it a go. Very reasonably priced.
Thank you to the whole team.
Written 2 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil W
Blandford Forum, UK4 contributions
Aug 2021
My 10-year-old granddaughter and I took the 2 hour ‘Have a go’ course. We really enjoyed ourselves and were surprised what we could achieve in 2 hours.
We got to choose our own subject, sketch it out with help and advice from the expert and execute the carving with as little or as much help as we needed. Everyone in our group was really pleased with their experience. Such lovely, friendly people. Thanks so much.
We got to choose our own subject, sketch it out with help and advice from the expert and execute the carving with as little or as much help as we needed. Everyone in our group was really pleased with their experience. Such lovely, friendly people. Thanks so much.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely comments, and we are so pleased you all enjoyed the course, and look forward to welcoming you again Claire
Written 1 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Em B
9 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
We went for a stone carving class- it was fantastic. Not only did Amanda explain how to do everything well, she was patient and happy to help. Highly highly reccomend for anyone with arty skills or not! What an enjoyable morning.
You create your own design, transfer it to the stone and then chisel away! If I lived locally I'd definitely be signing up to the 2 day course!
You create your own design, transfer it to the stone and then chisel away! If I lived locally I'd definitely be signing up to the 2 day course!
Written 26 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post a lovely comment. We really appreciate it and I will pass your comment on to Amanda.
Written 10 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve R
Lytchett Matravers, UK280 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
The days course on stone carving run by the tutor, Jonathan, was an absolute delight. It was very exciting to learn new skills in a new material and I will continue to develop my skills in the future. The location of the centre is superb with views over Swanage and the surrounding landscape.
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
Previous reviews talk of needing to be able to stand for 2 hours, is this still relevant?
Written 26 March 2016
Hello, although we recommend that people stand to work on their projects, it is really about personal preference. Burngate is able to cater for all abilities (sorry for delayed response)
Written 24 June 2016
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