Join us to celebrate the craft of woodworking
Monday 26 - Saturday 31 October 2026
Bringing people together around woodworking, from seasoned makers to first-time learners, the London International Woodworking Festival (LIWF) is a week-long woodworking festival in London celebrating craftsmanship, making and learning.
Makers, toolmakers and craftspeople from across the UK and beyond come together to share skills, learn from each other and keep the craft alive.
Every ticket supports the future of making, with proceeds reinvested into training and apprenticeships.
What’s On…
Courses
For those looking to fully immerse themselves in making, these hands-on courses run over two to four days. Sessions take place across full days in the workshop, where participants work closely with expert tutors to develop skills, build confidence and create a finished piece to take home.
Learn more about: Four-day Courses | Two-day Courses
Free Seminars
Hear directly from makers and craftspeople in this series of talks and live demonstrations. These sessions offer insight into the history of the craft, personal journeys, and the stories, skills and influences behind the work, with opportunities for open discussion and questions.
Marketplace
At the heart of the festival, the Marketplace brings together toolmakers, suppliers, publishers and craftspeople. Explore tools, materials and books, meet the people behind the work, and connect with the wider woodworking community.
Masterclasses
These half-day practical sessions offer a focused introduction to a specific skill or technique. Running for around three hours, they provide a guided, hands-on experience led by expert makers. Ideal for those looking to explore a subject in an accessible, time-friendly format, masterclasses offer a concentrated and engaging way to learn.
At a Glance…
With Christopher Schwarz
Build a complete Irish stick chair over 4 days while learning the essential techniques of vernacular chairmaking using simple tools.
Four-day course:
26 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Megan Fitzpatrick
Build a traditional Dutch tool chest in this practical 4-day course, learning essential hand-tool joinery and casework techniques…
Four-day course options:
26 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Dorian Bracht
Learn the principles of Japanese joinery in this 4-day course, building a project using traditional techniques and precise hand-tool work.
Four-day course:
26 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Derek Jones
Make a traditional three-legged cricket table in this four-day, hands-on course, exploring the principles of English vernacular furniture.
Four-day course:
26 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Gaby Ara
Learn traditional upholstery techniques in this 4-day course, constructing a fully stuffed and stitched upholstered stool.
Four-day course:
26 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Frank Strazza
Explore the techniques of Italian Renaissance marquetry in this immersive 2-day course, learning how to create detailed pictorial inlay using traditional hand methods.
Two-day course options:
26 - 27 October 2026
28 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
Develop digital design skills in this two-day, hands-on course, learning how to use CAD to plan, visualise and communicate woodworking projects.
Two-day course options:
26 - 27 October 2026
28 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
Free Seminar
An informal, discussion-led session inspired by the Bench.Talk.101 woodworking community, bringing together ideas, experiences and conversation from across the craft.
Time: 15.00-16.00
With Georgy Metichian
Develop traditional woodcarving skills in this two-day course, focusing on carving classical ornament used in furniture and architectural work.
Two-day course options:
26 - 27 October 2026
28 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Ian Parker
Learn the traditional window method of knife-cut marquetry in this 2-day course, creating precise veneer designs.
Two-day course options:
28 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Ian Parker
Develop your ability to sketch and communicate ideas in this 2-day course focused on drawing for design and making.
Two-day course options:
26 - 27 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Andrew Crawford
You will make a simple but elegant rectangular box with a solid timber carcass, veneers and inlaid lid. There will be a choice of several timbers, veneers and inlays.
Two-day course options:
26 - 27 October 2026
28 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Linda Petersson & Rachael South
Learn to sew cushions on an industrial sewing machine, including decorative and piped trims, in this 2-day course. All materials and feather pads provided but you are welcome to bring your own fabrics.
Two-day course options:
26 - 27 October 2026
28 - 29 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
With Rachael South
Learn the techniques of rush seating in this 2-day course. You’ll be provided with a wooden frame to weave a hand-twisted natural rush seat.
Two-day course options:
26 - 27 October 2026
Starts 09.00 - Ends 16.00
Discover how CAD can support woodworking design in this 90-minute masterclass, exploring digital tools for planning and visualisation.
Starts 09.00 - Ends 12.00
With Christopher Schwarz
Explore the traditional craft of chip carving in this hands-on masterclass, learning how simple tools are used to create precise geometric patterns in wood.
Starts 13.00 - Ends 16.00
With Frank Strazza
Explore the fundamentals of marquetry in this 90-minute masterclass, focusing on cutting, composition and decorative detail.
Starts 09.00 - Ends 12.00
With Ian Parker
A 90-minute introduction to using hide glue in woodworking, exploring its properties, applications and continued relevance in modern practice.
Starts 11.00 - Ends 13.00
With Georgy Metichian
Discover the foundations of historic woodcarving in this masterclass, exploring traditional techniques used in furniture and architectural ornament.
Starts 13.00 - Ends 16.00
With Dorian Bracht
Discover the precision of Japanese joinery in this 90-minute masterclass, exploring traditional joints and their underlying principles.
Starts 09.00 - Ends 12.00
With Megan Fitzpatrick
Explore the design and construction of the Dutch tool chest in this 90-minute masterclass, combining demonstration and practical insight.
Starts 11.00 - Ends 12.30
With Rachael South
Create a handmade leather phone case in this practical masterclass, exploring simple techniques in cutting, shaping and stitching.
Starts 09.00 - Ends 12.00
With Andrew Crawford
Discover the traditional craft of box lining in this hands-on masterclass, exploring fine decorative line work used to enhance furniture and wooden objects.
Starts 09.00 - Ends 12.00
Free Seminar with Lie-Nielsen Toolworks
Learn the principles of sharpening and how to achieve consistent, reliable results.
Time: 1.00-2.30
Free Seminar with Andy Brown
Discover rare and unusual tools and the roles they played in traditional woodworking.
Time: 13.00 - 14.30
Free Seminar with Richard Arnold
Explore the construction and restoration of traditional sash windows in this specialist seminar.
Friday 30 October. Time: 11.00 - 13.00
Saturday 31 October. Time 15.00 - 17.00
Free Seminar with Rachael South
An insight into the history of chair caning and seat weaving, exploring the craft through a personal family story spanning generations.
Time: 10.00 - 11.00
Free Seminar with Roger Wates
An introduction to one of the most important chair collections in the world, with selected pieces on display during the session.
Time: 11.00 - 13.00
Free Seminar with Phil Edwards (Philly Planes)
Explore the craft of wooden plane making and the tools behind it.
Time: 11.00 - 13.00


Stay at the Good Hotel at a preferential rate secured for London International Woodworking Festival attendees.
Choose how many nights you’d like to stay when booking, and a member of the LIWF team will be in touch to arrange your check-in and check-out dates.
The rate is per room (maximum 2 people) and also includes breakfast and VAT.