The London International Woodworking Festival 2025 will be the only dedicated hand tool event for woodworkers in the UK in 2025.
Taking place over six days, London IWF 2025 brings together master craftspeople, toolmakers, educators, and enthusiasts from around the world.
From immersive courses and expert-led workshops to inspiring talks and a bustling marketplace, the Festival is a celebration of woodworking skill, tradition, and community.
The Festival
The week starts with paid Courses before the Marketplace, Masterclass & Seminar days at the end of the week.
Courses – 2, 3, or 4 day courses from Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd October, 9:00 – 17:00. Student numbers vary.
Masterclasses -1- 2 hour presentations or talks. Friday 24th & Saturday 25th October.
The week culminates in the Marketplace event, running from Friday 12:00 noon until 18:00 and Saturday from 9:30 until 16:30.
There will be tool demos, book signings, and lots of conversations.
It’s a chance to meet the makers, try the tools, and be inspired by pieces on display.
There’s also a 3 prize vouchers to win on each of the Marketplace days.
Regular free short form Seminars will be held during Marketplace hours for your chance to hear from expert craftspeople.
More information below.
Courses & Masterclasses
Courses
2, 3, or 4 day courses
Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd October
9:00 – 17:00 daily
Courses include entry to the Marketplace for both days.
- 4-day Course: The Art of Marquetry: Hand-Cut Inlay Techniques Past and Present with Frank Strazza
Join acclaimed American craftsman Frank Strazza for an immersive exploration of the timeless art of marquetry, using traditional hand techniques and fine shop-sawn veneers. 4-day Course | Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd October, 2025 | 9:00 – 17:00 | Price £875 | 12 places Over the course of this hands-on… - 3-day Course: Introduction to Lettercarving with Georgy Mkrtichian
Learn the art of hand-carved lettering with master craftsman Georgy Mkrtichian. This hands-on course introduces participants to the essential tools, techniques, and design principles of letter carving in wood. 3-day Course | Tuesday 21st – Thursday 23rd October, 2025 | 9:00 – 17:00 | Price £525 | 12 places Over… - 3-day Course: Introduction to Japanese Joinery with Dorian Bracht
Author of the fabulous 2024 book “Japanese Joinery”, Dorian Bracht will be guiding you through the making of glueless patchwork joinery stool. There are up to 12 places available on this 3 day course. 3-day Course | Tuesday 21st – Thursday 23rd October, 2025 | 9:00 – 17:00 | Price… - 3-day Course: Upholstery – Traditional Stuffed & Stitched Footstool with Rachael South
3-day Course | Tuesday 21st – Thursday 23rd October, 2025 | 9:00 – 17:00 | Price £525 | 12 places This immersive three-day course with Rachael South guides you through the specialist craftsmanship required to create a traditionally stuffed and stitched footstool. Starting from the bare frame, you will: All… - 2-day Course: Drawing Skills for Woodworkers with Ian Parker
Develop the ability to visualise and communicate furniture designs through quick, expressive sketches and rich, lifelike renderings in this unique two-day masterclass with master craftsman, furniture maker, artist, and designer Ian Parker. 2-day Course | Wednesday 22nd – Thursday 23rd October, 2025 | 9:30 – 16:30 | Price £325 |…
Masterclasses – Sponsored by Classic Hand Tools
The Masterclasses are either practical workshops or extended talks. Each lasts around 60-75 minutes with Q & A afterwards. Numbers vary per class so please book in early.
Masterclasses include entry to the Marketplace and a £20 discount off orders exceeding £250 with Classic Hand Tools, redeemable once per ticket, only during the festival.
Friday 24th & Saturday 25th October
10:00 – 12:00 noon & 14:00-15:30
- Masterclass: “The Story of Lie-Nielsen Toolworks: Beginnings, Process, and End Result” with John Parkinson
Friday October 24th, 2025 | 10:00 – 12:00 noon | Price £35 | 25 places. Join John for a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most respected names in hand tools. From Thomas Lie-Nielsen’s humble beginnings in a shed on a Maine dairy farm, through the meticulous manufacturing process,… - Masterclass: Hide Glue Use & Techniques with Ian Parker
Friday October 24th, 2025 | 10:00 – 12:00 noon | Price £35 | 12 places. SOLD OUT. Ian Parker will demonstrate using hide glue for veneer work, particularly on curved surfaces and the ‘instant grab’ properties that negate the need for clamps. Ian will produce a simple veneered surface, perhaps… - Masterclass: Back to the Bench with Richard Arnold
Friday October 24th, 2025 | 14:00 – 15:30 | Price £35 | 25 places. Richard Arnold delivers a “Back to the Bench” Masterclass, rediscovering Pre-Industrial Woodworking Techniques. This session explores how furniture and tools were crafted before the age of machines, when precision came from hand and eye, not electricity.… - Masterclass: Japanese Joinery Techniques with Dorian BrachtSaturday October 25th, 2025 | 10:00 – 12:00 noon | Price £35 | 25 places. Joint making the Japanese Way: discover the precision and elegance of Japanese joinery in this live demonstration with Dorian Bracht. Dorian will showcase a selection of traditional joints, explaining the techniques and principles behind each…
- Masterclass: Veritas Tool Design & Manufacturing with Steve Jones
Saturday October 25th, 2025 | 14:00 – 15:30 | Price £35 | 25 places. Join Steve Jones, Head Designer at Veritas Tools, for an inside look at how some of the world’s most respected and innovative hand tools come to life. From concept to prototype to finished product, Steve will…
The Marketplace
Friday 12:00 – 18:00 | Saturday 09:30 – 16:30
An energetic space for tool demos, book signings, and craft conversations. Come meet the makers, try the tools, and explore the best of woodworking today.
Featuring:
- Dedicated benches for course leaders: Dorian Bracht, Frank Strazza, Ian Parker, Georgy Mkrtichian, Rachael South
- Demonstrations and tool advice from:
- Lie-Nielsen Toolworks (John Parkinson),
- Lee Valley & Veritas (Steve Jones, Richard Wile, Ryan Saunders),
- Phil Edwards, Richard Arnold, Oscar Rush
- The Quiet Workshop – Short Courses & Bench making plans
- James Mursell of The Windsor Workshop thewindsorworkshop.co.uk
- Derek Jones – Author of Cricket Tables
- Nigel Melfi – Plane maker and violin maker
- Odies Oil
- Classic Hand Tools and more exhibitors to be announced…
Seminars
Bite-sized inspiration from master makers and toolmakers.
Each 20-minute session includes a short talk and Q&A—no booking required.
Confirmed Speakers with more on their way!
- Richard Arnold – 18th Century Planemaking
- Phil Edwards – Making Wooden Planes: The Essentials
Daily Prize Draws
In-room attendees only
- Friday About 4pm 3 x £150 vouchers
- Saturday About 4pm 3 x £150 vouchers