Bristol Folk House

Discover Bristol Folk House: Make a Mini Bridge

Start date: 28 May 2026

Day: Thursday

Course length: 1 Day Course

Time: 18:00 to 21:00

Course code: Yuup

Full fee: £48 | Over 65s: £43.20 | Benefit: £38.40

Tutor: Heather Coleman

Courses description

Bristol Folk House is hosting this workshop through Yuup - please follow the link to book.

Step inside one of Bristol’s hidden creative spaces and craft your own miniature suspension bridge using traditional metalworking techniques.

This experience is part of City Uncovered: Bristol, taking place from 18th–31st May – a limited-time series of unique, under-the-radar experiences designed to help you see the city differently.

What to expect:

You’ll begin your experience at Bristol Folk House—a much-loved but often overlooked creative hub tucked away in the city—setting the tone for a hands-on workshop in a truly “hidden gem” venue.

After a short introduction to the design of suspension bridges, you’ll be guided step-by-step through the process of creating your own miniature version. Using copper and brass sheet, you’ll learn how to cut your design with a jeweller’s saw, before adding intricate details with wire and chain.

With support throughout, you’ll then assemble your bridge and mount it onto a wooden base—transforming your work into a finished decorative model to take home.

Expect a focused yet relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of guidance to help you build confidence as you work with new tools and materials.

This experience is perfect for:

• Curious creatives wanting to try something new

• Beginners interested in metalworking or jewellery techniques

• Bristol lovers keen to reimagine an iconic landmark

• Anyone looking to discover a hidden creative space

About this experience:

This practical workshop introduces traditional jewellery-making techniques in an accessible and engaging way. Hosted at Bristol Folk House—a long-standing community arts venue that many locals have yet to discover—it offers a chance to learn new skills in a unique setting.

Designed for beginners, the experience focuses on learning by doing, guiding you from raw materials to a finished piece. What makes it special is the combination of craft, local inspiration, and access to a lesser-known creative space in the city.

What’s included:

• Step-by-step guidance from an experienced tutor

• Use of specialist tools and equipment

• All materials (copper, brass, wire, chain, wooden base)

• Your finished mini suspension bridge to take home

Good to know:

• Duration: 3 hours

• Location: Bristol Folk House

• Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

• Accessibility: Seated workshop, but no step free access

• What to bring: Reading glasses if needed

Please note: All 10, and 12 week courses have a half term break in the middle. For term dates please visit our Contact us page. We are not open on bank holiday Mondays and any class that falls on these days will be made up at the end of term.

Fees

You will need to have paid in full for your course or workshop to guarantee your place. We do not accept deposits or part payments. Courses and workshops are becoming increasingly popular, so please book early in order to guarantee your place.
We do offer concession rates for anyone over 65, NHS staff (blue light cards), Students or claiming the benefits listed below. As we are a self-funded organisation we receive no financial support, in order to offer these rates.
The concessionary rate is for those whose sole source of income is from a state benefit. We accept Universal Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance. Please show a recent letter or statement stating your benefit when enrolling.

Refunds

In the event that we have to cancel a course, we aim to inform you 2 working days before the start date, or at least 24 hours before a day workshop. If we have to cancel a course, then you will receive a full credit note or refund.
If you wish to cancel your place you must inform us up to 14 days before the start date of your course or workshop. In this case you will receive a refund minus a 15% admin fee.
If you give us less than 14 days notice, or your course or workshop has already started a refund will be not given.

Please see full terms and conditions for more information.

Latecomer

If a course has already started, please call the office as it may be possible to join after the start date. This may only be possible if the course is not already full, if it is not disruptive for the other students and you are aware that you have missed a percentage of the course and the tutor will not have time to catch you up. This will be at discretion of the Folk House. We run our courses termly, so it might be best to start at the beginning of the course.

Levels

You must be over 18 years old to attend a course or workshop at the Bristol Folk House.
All our courses and workshops are non-accredited and will not receive a certificate for attending.
We offer a range of courses at all levels and our tutors make every effort to accommodate your individual needs. Before choosing you may want to speak to the tutor to make sure the course is right for you. Please contact the office.
To join all of our courses you must be able to follow written and verbal instructions and you may be invited to take part in group discussions. Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from any additional support to help you to take part in this class. Please contact the office if you require any further information.
If you have a disability, learning difficulty or mental health issue which may affect your participation in your chosen course please contact the office prior to enrolling. If you will need to bring a career or support worker with you to the class, please inform the office when enrolling so we can make arrangements.

Access/ Parking

Much as we would like to provide access for all, the Folk House has no level access or accessible facilities.
We have no onsite car parking at the Bristol Folk House but there are many paid parking spots in the area. Please ask us for details on parking or see our website for more detail.
We are on a busy bus route and have plenty of bike racks in our courtyard garden.