Waters & Acland Ltd - Kendal

Heather Zusman

I trained at Waters & Acland back in 2017 and took the designer maker course. I am beyond blessed and grateful for my studies and training here with Will, Ollie, Graham, and Tim. I started my training not even understanding what "chuck- a- drill" was and ended with a skillset that provided me with "lead furniture fabricator" titles at various companies. Graham was my lead shop mentor/tutor. He had insane knowledge and teaching skills. What I remember most was how talented he was and how dedicated he was to each student, individually. Will and Ollie were really awesome design tutors helping each student master sketchup and rendering. Their course plan was perfect and I learned so much with each project we produced. Tim was working full time producing furniture at the time, but I remember how impressive his work was and was just in awe of his laminated lounge chair.
For anyone interested in this course, I would highly, highly recommend it. It was the best training/education I've received and so appreciated the small class size. The tutors were able to give so much attention and guidance to each student. I learned so much and have created a great living for myself all thanks to these four men!

The lake district is my home away from home. Hoping to come back soon and rent a bench or take another course!

Sigurd Randby

I was here for the 1 term Designer Maker Course in 2022; three highly enjoyable months of workshop training in beautiful surroundings. The W&A team is nothing short of outstanding – welcoming and knowledgable people who effectively improved my understanding and skills in the craft. I recommend to anyone wishing to learn woodworking, myself starting from zero. Here you'll learn from the masters.

Alison Sidney

I have just been on the 2 day make a box course and would highly recommend it. The facilities are fantastic and Pete was an amazing tutor we all made a beautiful box to take home and treasure. I am already planning to return to learn some more new skills.

Ali Brannan

I attended the 1 Week Make a Table (Lamination and Veneering) course in May 2024. I had very little experience with woodworking before the course and no experience with lamination or veneering. I learned a huge amount over the course of the week, which was down to the great tuition from Pete who was guiding us on the course. I also came away with a lovely piece of furniture that I will cherish forever. There was a really inspiring atmosphere within the school, I would recommend it to anyone interested in woodworking and furniture design, I look forward to returning in the future!

Chris Skoglund

I take the W&A online course and absolutely love it. The early stages focus on hand tool prep and use. The included projects focus on precision, from layout to hand planing and chiseling. Each project comes with thorough online instruction as well as printed materials. The projects are logically organized to that you take the skills from one project into the next. The discord community is helpful and enthusiastic. Gareth, the instructor, is quick to respond to questions about the projects and immensely helpful and knowledgeable. It's an overall great experience and super, super good value. Highly recommended.

kyle waite

I Attended the 12 month furniture designer/maker course in 2014 at 19Yo with no experience. Great mix of ages and skill levels attending the different courses. Incredibly well run, in depth course, with state of the art facilities. Great 1 on 1 tuition from Graham. Massively helped out by Will and Olly (the owners) during my time there and thereafter. Was able to start a job straight from the course. set me up with a great start in the industry and have gone on to set up my own business in 2020 (Kyle Fraser Furniture Ltd) and I am going into my 4th successful year. Still remain in contact and good friends with all the boys. Can not recommend highly enough!!!

Tomer Arad

I attended the 3 terms course at W&A and I recommend it very much.

The school has a beautiful workshop with highly maintained hand tools and machinery, the teachers are true professionals with years of experience and the syllabus takes you through every important step in order to become a skilled furniture maker.

If you are considering a career in the furniture industry the yearly course is a great place to start and if you're doing woodwork just for fun, their short courses are great too.

Anthony Adams

Attended the two day Make a Box short course.
Really enjoyed it - knowledgeable, friendly tutor in a small group of students.
Relaxed but high standard of supervision and a clear desire to share skills and knowledge.
Workshop was well equipped and everything was provided.

Good local accommodation/food/drink options also.

Definitely recommend - lovely part of the world to mess about in a workshop.