Suitable for: Beginners, improvers, professionals
Considerations: Partially outdoors, moderately physically demanding
Refreshments: Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day. We also have a fantastic on-site cafe, Embers, run by local chef Shropshire Lad.
What to wear: Outdoor/wet weather gear, clothes you can get messy ;
What to bring: Notebook and pen, If you have available: electric drill, hammer, saw, tape measure
The course:
Coracles are traditional round riverboats, designed to be paddled with a single oar and used for centuries on rivers across the British Isles. On this two-day masterclass, you’ll build your own Ironbridge-style coracle using traditional materials and simple hand tools.
Under the expert tuition of Kevin Grimley you will create a basket-like wooden frame from ash laths, then fit and sew a calico cover.
This course focuses on the distinctive Ironbridge-style coracle—lightweight, practical, and historically tied to this region. Traditionally covered with animal hide, today’s coracles use canvas or synthetic materials, sealed with tar or bitumen for waterproofing. They’re small enough to carry on your back, and surprisingly nimble on the water.
For those keen to explore further, we also have the Coracle Shed on-site—home to historical examples, displays, and deeper resources on the history and craft of coracle making. Learn more at: The Coracle Shed
What you will learn:
- How to identify and select suitable ash laths for coracle building
- Techniques for bending wood to shape using heat and pressure
- Nailing and clenching methods to securely fix the frame
- How to cut, shape, and stitch the calico cover in preparation for waterproofing
- Safe and effective use of traditional hand tools
- Basic sewing skills for tailoring and attaching the boat’s cover
- How to paddle and handle a coracle on water
- Insights into the history and cultural significance of coracles
Tutor: Kevin Grimley
Kevin Grimley is a carpenter and traditional boatbuilder who has been making coracles for 25 years, ever since taking a course at Beamish Museum sparked his interest. What began as curiosity grew into a long-term passion—not just for building the boats themselves, but for the process, the history, and the satisfaction of making something useful by hand.
He teaches alongside his wife Ellen, who shares his commitment to hands-on learning and keeping heritage skills alive. Together, they’ve helped many people build their first boat and walk away with a real sense of achievement.
Kevin says:
"I love to teach people to make this wonderful craft the coracle. I love to see the participants at the end of the courses when they realise what they have achieved."
"I like to make my courses a fun experience for my students. We tell stories and encourage everyone to relax and help each other if anyone is struggling."
Their son Nathan also joins in, assisting on the course as part of an informal apprenticeship—helping to carry on the tradition into the next generation.
