WATERS & ACLAND

WATERS & ACLAND Waters and Acland is an award winning fine furniture workshop and furniture school.

The Waters and Acland furniture school and workshop is a hub of creativity, passion, and dedication to the art of fine furniture design and craftsmanship. Since founding our workshop and fine furniture school in 2006, we have pursued a dual mission: to craft furniture of exceptional quality and to preserve the legacy of woodworking through our comprehensive courses. From 2-day workshops to our pre

stigious 1-year Designer Maker Course, we offer something for everyone. Additionally, we have embraced online learning, including our popular Makers Club, offering a complete online course, community access, and exclusive perks for woodworking enthusiasts around the world!

24/06/2026

Following up on yesterday’s post, here’s some making footage from former W&A students Silvy and Thomas’ .ten.ooo recent commission. Great job, guys! 👏🏻

We’re always very proud to see work from our former students, and it’s fantastic to watch Silvy and Thomas build their own business. 🤩

Another beautiful commission piece by former W&A students, Silvy and Thomas TenTen. Single bed frame in ash, featuring c...
23/06/2026

Another beautiful commission piece by former W&A students, Silvy and Thomas TenTen. Single bed frame in ash, featuring chunky finger joints and a stunning live edge headboard. 🤩

A few pieces from past students on our 4-week Fine Furniture Making Course.We have one place left on our 4-week furnitur...
22/06/2026

A few pieces from past students on our 4-week Fine Furniture Making Course.

We have one place left on our 4-week furniture making course, starting 29th June at our Lake District furniture school.

Designed for anyone ready to immerse themselves in fine furniture making, this intensive four-week course offers the perfect opportunity to build confidence, refine techniques, and create a collection of beautiful furniture pieces to take home.

Over the month, students progress through a carefully structured series of projects designed by award-winning furniture designer Will Acland, beginning with smaller skill building pieces such as the Chinese Puzzle and Octagonal Cutting Board, before moving on to a finely crafted joinery table and culminating in the Tri Table with a marquetry top. Along the way, you’ll develop essential hand tool skills, learn accurate hand cut joinery, and gain experience with laminations, veneers, power tools, and router table techniques.

With a maximum of just five students per course, every participant benefits from close guidance from our dedicated tutors in a focused, creative workshop environment alongside our full-time designer maker students.

Visit our website for full details and to book online.

Complete online course members receive 10% off all short courses here at the furniture school, meaning you can save £385 on the 4-week course.

Designer Maker student Brian Keegan is getting close to the finish line with his Danish modern inspired lounge chair in ...
18/06/2026

Designer Maker student Brian Keegan is getting close to the finish line with his Danish modern inspired lounge chair in elm.

These photos show the chair dry assembled, with the final glue up happening next before the last stages of hand shaping and finishing. Even as a dry fit it’s already looking beautifully balanced, and super comfortable. Looking forward to seeing the finished piece! 🤩

17/06/2026

Chest on stand by former W&A student Susan .h197, made during her time on the Designer Maker course. The shine and texture of those cherry drawers is simply stunning.

If you’ve ever dreamed of making bespoke furniture, whether professionally or as a hobby, our courses can help you develop the skills to make it happen.

WIP shots from Designer Maker student Matt Matt Farrell - making great progress on his sideboard, and his second self-de...
16/06/2026

WIP shots from Designer Maker student Matt Matt Farrell - making great progress on his sideboard, and his second self-designed furniture piece on the course. 😎

Our next three-term course starting in September is now full.

We do, however, have availability on our two-term / International Designer Maker course (1 place), or our 4-week course starting at the end of this month (1 place)

Get in touch with Oliver Waters: [email protected] for more details.

Really great to see former Designer Maker students continuing to develop their practice beyond the course. Silvy and Tho...
12/06/2026

Really great to see former Designer Maker students continuing to develop their practice beyond the course. Silvy and Thomas, who completed our designer maker course together, now run their own furniture business and are producing exceptional bespoke work under TenTen

This beautiful piece from their studio, originally designed and started during Silva’s final term on the course, is a strong example of how ideas can evolve after the course:

Chadansu: Tea Display Cabinet. Made of ash (stained black), charred and brushed Douglas fir panels with brass handles.
Exploring simplicity and composition in traditional design, it features a sliding door and fitted drawer compartments.
Photos by Sam Taylor

It’s always rewarding to see former students translating their skills into thoughtful, well-resolved pieces like this.

———

Change your life through craft. We are now taking applications for our next available full-time, 3-term Designer Maker course starting September 2027.

We currently have 1 place remaining on our 2-term / international Designer Maker course starting this September.

If you’re curious about studying with us, our short courses are a great way to get a feel for the work. We offer a wide range of 2-day to 4-week courses - visit our website for more details. (Also, just one place remains on our upcoming 4-course!)

And if you can’t join us in person, or want to develop your practice from your own workshop, our online courses offer structured, project based learning with detailed tutorials and plans you can follow at home.

11/06/2026

Designer maker student Jon making a laminated component for his latest self-designed project. The finished cabinet is going to be something very special - take a look at his design and follow the progress over on his Instagram feed. 👍🏻

If you’d like to join us for some serious skill building, we have just one place left on our 4-week fine furniture making course starting June 29th, and also just one place left on our 2-term designer maker course starting this September. Check out our website for more details - links in bio.

A few studio shots of Tom Davies’ beautiful Overlocker Cabinet, made in ash and oak on our Designer Maker Course.Tom’s f...
10/06/2026

A few studio shots of Tom Davies’ beautiful Overlocker Cabinet, made in ash and oak on our Designer Maker Course.

Tom’s first self-designed piece draws inspiration from Arts & Crafts furniture while feeling distinctly contemporary. Built from solid timber with carefully considered joinery, the cabinet was designed around the practical storage and use of a sewing machine, combining functionality with elegant craftsmanship.

We currently have just 1 place remaining on our 4-Week Furniture Makers Course starting 29th June, ideal for anyone looking to immerse themselves in fine furniture making this summer.

We also have 1 place remaining on our 2-Term Designer Maker Course starting in September. Contact Oliver Waters for details: [email protected]

New 5-Day Mirror Making Course, featuring lamination & profiled shelving, now available for booking.🪞Learn professional ...
09/06/2026

New 5-Day Mirror Making Course, featuring lamination & profiled shelving, now available for booking.🪞

Learn professional lamination techniques and build a substantial laminated component from scratch. You’ll also explore hand shaping methods to create a refined edge profile, adding character and craftsmanship to your piece.

Leave with an heirloom quality mirror to be enjoyed for generations.

- 5 Days (Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00) at our furniture school in Staveley
- 2026 Start Dates: August 31st or November 9th

Visit our website for more information and to book your place. Link in bio

Address

22-25 Staveley Mill Yard
Kendal
LA89LR

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Website

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