A welcoming carving studio in the heart of Dartington, open by appointment for visitors, courses, and consultations.
We offer expert-led woodcarving courses for all abilities. Our specialist carving shop is available by appointment, with professional guidance and a carefully selected range of quality carving tools, timber, books, carving kits, gifts, and more.
The studio is also home to award-winning local woodcarver William Barsley, who undertakes bespoke commissions and offers live carving demonstrations.
Join our woodcarving community for exclusive updates on upcoming workshops, events and exciting things happening in the studio.
SHOP
Specialist carving shop offering professional guidance, and stocked with quality carving books, tools, timber, carving kits, gifts and more.
HOME OF WILLIAM BARSLEY WOODCARVING
The Orchard Carving Studio was founded by William Barsley, a professional woodcarver and sculptor based in Devon. Trained in traditional carving techniques and with years of experience creating bespoke works for historic buildings, private commissions, and public art, William wanted to create a space that celebrates craftsmanship and community. Set within the beautiful surroundings of The Cider Press Centre in Dartington, the studio is both his working workshop and a creative hub where traditional skills are kept alive.
Alongside William’s own work, the studio includes a carving shop and a welcoming teaching space offering a range of courses for all abilities. From beginners discovering woodcarving for the first time to experienced makers refining their craft, students can learn in an inspiring environment supported by William and a roster of talented guest tutors. At its heart, the studio is about keeping traditional carving alive, inspiring creativity, and connecting people through the joy of working with carving.
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The Workshop space is really warm, comfortable, light, intentional and fit for purpose . There is a beautiful shop on site with artisan carvings, tools and books to inspire. Toilets are close by and refreshments were provided.
Will is a brilliant facilitator, firstly he is eminently talented and skilled, a master carver and he was genuinely enthusiastic in sharing with everyone who took part in the workshop.
Will is a great communicator, warm and encouraging, I didn’t struggle at all, he made sure I could see his face and each stage was explained and demonstrated really well. He did the same for everyone there, everyone felt they had a little one to one tuition.
His teaching style is relaxed and experiential, show then off you go. My friends and I were all amazed at ourselves, we created lovely wooden leaf tiles, to get used to the tools and the safe and correct way to use them, we then , with much more confidence created another tile project of our own choosing. We were all genuinely really happy with what we managed to accomplish in just three hours!
I can absolutely highly recommend this course, venue and Will to all. A workshop with Will would make an ideal, rather special gift , something a little different, for someone you love. Or if you are ready to learn something new, learn with the best. Thanks Will and The Orchard Carving Studio , I had a wonderful day and I’m so happy with my tiles
William is an incredibly warm and friendly teacher, who creates a relaxing environment from the moment you walk into his studio. William’s wealth of knowledge and skill, creates a learning journey filled with expert guidance. His teaching style, meant that every student was able to quickly get to grips with the basics of using the tools. Over the coming weeks our ideas came to life and we all achieved an individually brilliant carving.
I will definitely be looking to return in the not so distant future.
