A vibrant Friday-Saturday hub for makers, tool lovers, and woodworking enthusiasts.
This year’s Marketplace is packed with opportunities to meet master toolmakers, try out the latest in premium hand tools, watch live demonstrations, stock up on essentials, and discover new makers and materials.
Friday 24th October: 12:00–18:00
Saturday 25th October: 09:30–16:30
What to Expect from The Marketplace
Dedicated Benches for LIWF Course Tutors
Course providers will have dedicated benches to showcase their work and answer your questions. You’ll also find renowned toolmakers, authors, and educators from around the world throughout the hall. Meet the course tutors:
- Frank Strazza – An award-winning Fine Furniture Maker from Texas, USA – strazzafurniture.com
- Dorian Bracht – Furniture Maker & Author on Japanese Joinery – tischlereibracht.com
- Georgy Mkrtichian – Artist, Carver & Cabinetmaker – georgylevan.co.uk
- Rachael South – Upholstery & Caning Tutor – rachaelsouth.com
- Ian Parker – Fine Furniture Maker – ianparkerstudio.co.uk
Toolmakers
- Steve Jones – Head of Design at Veritas Tools
- Phil Edwards – Traditional Wooden Planes made in England – Philly Planes
- Oscar Rush – Hand-Forged Axes, Adzes & Edge Tools – oscarrush.co.uk
- Nigel Melfi – Plane maker and violin maker – @nigelmelfiplanes
Authors
- Derek Jones – Author of Cricket Tables
- Dorian Bracht – Author of Japanese Joinery
- Richard D. Wile – Author of A Sharpening Handbook
Demonstrators
- John Parkinson – Demonstrating Lie-Nielsen Toolworks – johnparkinsonfurniture.com
- Richard Arnold – Demonstrating18th Century Planemaking – richarnold.co.uk
- Ryan Saunders – Demonstrating Veritas Tools – rsaunderswoodworks.com
Course Providers
- The Quiet Workshop – Short Courses & Bench making plans – thequietworkshop.com
- James Mursell – The Windsor Workshop – thewindsorworkshop.co.uk
Merchants
- Classic Hand Tools – Premium Hand Tools, Books from Lost Art Press, Mortise & Tenon Magazine, Japanese Joinery, Joy, Alex, Fraser, Mo, Alex, Mary, Mike and much more – classichandtools.com
- Odies Oil – Non-toxic, food safe, one coat, naturally effective, interior and exterior wood finish and stabiliser – odiesoil.co.uk
Prize Draws
At around 4pm each day of The Marketplace Classic Hand Tools will announce three £150 voucher winners.
Entry is free and all you have to do is fill in a slip available from Joy and be in main room at 4pm to claim your voucher.One entry per person each day.
The vouchers must be claimed in person, at 4pm, on the day of entry.
Marketplace Ticket Prices & Times
£15 pre-booked ticket includes access to all Marketplace stands, demonstrations & seminars.
- Friday only: 12am–6pm
- Saturday only: 9:30am–4:30pm
- On the day tickets are subject to availability. If the show sells out it will be advertised on this website and social media channels no less than 5 days prior to the show.
- Children under 16: Free
Getting Here & Other Essential Information.
Nearest station – Cyprus on The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Travelcard Zone 3 – Journey times are 25 minutes from Stratford, Bank or Tower Gateway. Once at Cyprus the venue is a 5-minute walk through the University Campus.
Useful Post Code – E16 2RD
Food & Drink – there are food outlets as you walk from the DLR but please note that the cafeteria in the Marketplace building will be open for refreshments including lunches on both days of the marketplace so, unlike last year, there is no need to stray from the main buildings.
Parking – free parking is available. You must access this through University Way which leads to a barrier controlled access. This is operated by humans who will grant you access to the site (a short walk of about 400 metres to the venue). There are no other free parking areas so please use this one only.
Special requests for hand tool or books? – Please contact Classic Hand Tools if you’d like something brought to the festival especially for you, or to use their send-on service to avoid travelling home with heavy purchases: Tel: 01473 784983 | Email: sales@classichandtools.com
Questions about the Festival? – please contact us at info@londoniwf.co.uk