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robinson house studio

Marc Fish

furniture school

Tel: +44 (0)1273 513611

Email: info@marcfish.co.uk.

· RHS 19 & 50 week Furniture Design & Makers’ Course next start: 7th September 2026, and then April & Sept 2027.
· The 50 Week Furniture Design & Makers’ course SCQF credit-rated Level 8 by Qualifications Scotland. Read more · Join our Mailing list here.

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    • senior tutor – Theo Cook
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Wood Finishing

Wood Finishing Weekend Class

Wood Finishing Weekend Class

Next courses: 10th – 11th Oct. 2026, 27th – 28th Feb. 2027 and 9th – 10th Oct. 2027.
An ideal course for anyone who wants to learn more about finishing techniques and get some practical, hands-on experience. Cost: £350. Tutor: Marc Fish.

vanessa-dotsquared 13th July 202513th August 2026 Furniture Courses, Weekend Classes, Wood Finishing Read more

Gift Vouchers

Looking for an unusual gift or experience?
Why not buy a course gift voucher for a loved one this year? The vouchers can be for any amount and the recipient can redeem it against any course here at robinson house studio. Weekend courses start at £350.
More details here: marcfish.co.uk/gift-vouchers.

Long Courses 2026/27

The next long course start date is 7th September 2026, followed by 19th April 2027 & 6th September 2027.


Read more about the long courses here.

Weekend Courses Testimonial

“I have completed two weekends courses here. The plane making course with Theo and the wood finishing course with Marc. Both were great. They’re fantastic at what they do and were happy answering any questions. At the end of each course I was a lot more clued up on the subject and my work is improving thanks to them.”

Harry Lenton

Read more of RHS’s reviews here on Google.

Weekend Courses

  • Carbon Fibre and Composites Weekend Class

    Next course: Oct. 24th & 25th, 2026 + Feb. 6th & 7th, 2027. This course provides hands-on experience of the sophisticated techniques used in the composites industry. Cost £540. Tutor: Theo Cook.

  • French Polishing with Derek Jones

    Next course: 14th May 2027. A one day course on French polishing with shellac, run by Derek Jones, once editor of Furniture & Cabinetmaking magazine and author of French Polishing, Finishing & Restoring Using Traditional Techniques. Cost £150.

  • Introduction to Hand Tools for Furniture Making
    Marc Fish's tool board

    Next course: dates TBA. Covering hand tools, there will be practical sessions on planing, sawing and chiseling – forming the ideal starting point for cutting and fitting accurate joints. Cost: TBA. Tutor: Theo Cook.

  • Japanese Toolbox with Derek Jones

    Next course dates TBA. Japanese style joinery can be extremely complicated but there are occasions when simplicity and function come together to make the perfect form. Cost: £350. Tutor: Derek Jones.

  • Laminating Weekend Class
    Laminating weekend class with Marc Fish

    Next course: 5th & 6th Dec. 2026 and 29th & 30th May 2027. Experience these amazing techniques and take your work to a different level! As laminating is more accurate than steam bending, it is ideal for combining sculptural work with fine cabinet making. Cost: £350. Tutor: Marc Fish.

  • Make a Cricket Table
    Derek Jones at Robinson House Studio

    Next course: TBA. This course is taught by expert maker Derek Jones. The key principles for building a cricket table are simplicity, necessity and ingenuity. Using just two types of joint it’s possible to create a robust structure from almost any species of wood that can be used to make a variety of different pieces of furniture.

  • Make A Six Board Chest with Derek Jones

    Next course dates TBA. The six board chest is a design that is almost as old as the concept of furniture itself and is as relevant today as it has ever been. Cost: £350. Tutor: Derek Jones.

  • Make a Wooden Hand Plane with Theo Cook
    How to make a wooden hand plane weekend

    Next course: TBA. Learn how to make a wooden plane. This will involve skills such as band-sawing, routing, drilling, shaping with a spokeshave, sanding and finishing. A 3 day course. Cost: £595. Tutor: Theo Cook.

  • Making Jigs & Templates
    Andrew Strickland RHS cabinet making student

    Next course: date TBA. Learn how to make your own jigs and templates at this one-day course with senior tutor and master craftsman, Theo Cook. The course covers making jigs by hand as well as the use of CAD programs, laser-cutter, and a CNC router. Cost: TBC.

  • Making the Perfect Dovetails Weekend Class

    Next course: 14th & 15th Nov. 2026 | 20th & 21st March 2027. Ideal if you want to know more about the mark of a master craftsman – the dovetail joint! When well-executed it is the epitome of high-level work. Cost: £350.

  • Marquetry with Audrey Fasquelle
    Marquetry Weekend Course with Audrey Fasquelle

    Next course: dates TBA. We’re delighted to offer a Marquetry ONE day course taught by Audrey Fasquelle, a highly experienced craftsperson and recognised as a Master Furniture Maker for her marquetry work by the Furniture Makers Company. Cost: £195.

  • RHS Newsletter & Instagram
    Student Elliott Butterwick's flooded fens console table

    Keep up-to-date with RHS news about Taster week courses, Weekend classes and Student work here on our Instagram account.

  • Spindle Moulding Weekend Class

    Next course: dates TBA. The spindle moulder is a versatile machine – we cover safe use and setup, rebating, shaping, using formers, tenons, power feeds, jig making, and guarding. Cost: £350. Tutor: Derek Jones.

  • Staked Stool with Derek Jones
    Staked Stool with Derek Jones

    Next course: dates TBA. This three day course takes you through completing a three-legged stool. Using through-tenoned construction (now known as “staked”construction) is a skill worth learning for any furniture maker. Three legs instead of four means the stool will never wobble, no matter what floor it’s sitting on, the mortise layout is simple, and, of course, there’s one less leg to make! Cost: £350. Tutor: Derek Jones.

View all Weekend Courses

Course Booking T&Cs

Please ensure you have read the Terms and Conditions for booking courses before making a payment:

Booking Terms and Conditions – PDF 121Kb

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Students' Work

James Dabell's cabinet made at marc fish

View some of the stunning student work produced at robinson house studio.

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Testimonials

Having left school to join the creative industry, I wasn’t sure where to start. After researching areas, I was interested in I found that Marc’s courses and ‘robinson house studio’ were exactly what I was looking for as I wanted to explore various elements of design within the industry. When I found Marc’s course online we had a long chat about what I can achieve within the course, what his work entails, his design philosophy and teaching method. It was an easy choice after that to sig… Read more
Christian Watson
Prior to my time at robinson house studio I had worked as a carpenter both on site and in a workshop. I realised I wanted to pursue making bespoke fine furniture and felt that a course with Marc at the studio offered in-depth cabinet making tuition as well as the opportunity to explore design. It certainly proved to be an exciting environment to be a part of, with emphasis on contemporary design and the use of innovative new materials and techniques.
Luke Olney
During my time at Robinson house studio I learnt how to combine traditional making techniques with modern design.
Dan Ryder Cook
Having worked in Software Engineering for a lifetime, I wanted to develop practical skills with tangible results and hopefully make something I could be proud of. The course has provided me with an insight into the exacting standards necessary to create fine furniture and is equipping me with the key skills. I have particularly enjoyed Marc’s enthusiasm for the design elements, his encouragement to challenge traditional design and to be open to a breadth of inputs/influences.
Gordon White
My year course at Robinson House Studio has been a very valuable experience thanks to the high quality learning environment that Marc Fish offers to his students. Marc adapts his teaching to each individual according to their skills and confidence, taking care of our progress with infinite patience. I found Marc’s passionate approach to furniture design & making a vibrant artistic echo to explore my own creative expectations, and to turn my design ideas into consistent furniture pieces. I apprec… Read more
Thibaut Degenne
I followed Marc’s 12 week course and am delighted with what I learned and achieved. Marc is an excellent teacher. He is thorough and patient and adapts his advice well to the ability and confidence of each and every student.
Duncan White

Stay in Touch

We send a newsletter out approximately 4 times a year with new course dates, students’ success stories, general news and updates at the studio. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign-up here.

Our Address:

robinson house studio,
Unit E1 & 2 Eastside Business Park,
Beach Road, Newhaven,
East Sussex. BN9 0FB – N.B. some sat-nav maps have the wrong location for our postcode! Be sure to check it takes you to our address.

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5* Google Reviews

We are delighted to have 5 * Google reviews from our students. View them here.

Find us on Instagram

Our students' exhibited at New Designers in Isling Our students' exhibited at New Designers in Islington at the beginning of the month @walterose.design was awarded the Decorex spotlight award, Walter has been awarded a stand at The prestigious international exhibition Decorex this October in London 11th- 14th October. So if you're interested in seeing some great interior design and luxury high end furniture do pop along. Early bird ticket prices end this Friday 17th July, so get your tickets now! We have a new furniture designed makers' course starting this September so if your interested please do get in contact for the best 50 weeks learning how to make luxury fine furniture.
Will Franklin 50 weeks course. Callanais Drinks Ca Will Franklin 50 weeks course. Callanais Drinks Cabinet This drinks cabinet aims to evoke the towering presence of neolithic stone circles. Its form is an angular, abstracted nod to monolithic standing stones. The cabinet has a strong sculptural presence and immediately stands apart from more conventional cabinet forms, the subtle distortion of the silhouette creates movement intention within what is otherwise a simple rectangular structure. The way the angled break line intersects the cabinet gives the impression that the piece has shifted or folded, creating a dynamic visual narrative the asymmetric composition is well judged and feels deliberate rather than arbitrary. This cabinet demonstrates an exceptional standard of craftsmanship throughout the complexity of form, combined with the precision required for the door construction and integrated handle details has been executed with a high degree of skill and control. The varying door thickness is align beautiful beautifully creating crisp shadow lines and subtle visual depth while maintaining the clean geometry of the overall form. The sculptural junction that divides the upper and lower sections is particularly impressive, requiring careful planning an accurate construction to achieve such a seamless result . The finish on the fumed oak is outstanding, the surfaces are consistent and refined allowing the natural character of the timber to remain visible while enhancing the richness and depth of colour. The quality of the finishing elevates the piece and reinforces its luxurious presence. Internally the attention is detailed in equally strong the handmade mirror, patinated brass shelves integrated lighting and concealed storage have all been fitted with precision and care the warm illumination highlights the materials beautifully and transforms the interior into a striking high point when the doors are opened overall this is a highly accomplished piece that successfully combines sculptural design sophisticated material choices and exceptional craftsmanship. It demonstrates confidence in both concept and execution resulting in a cabinet that feels distinctive elegant and professionally resolved.
Next course: Friday 17th July 2026 steam bending w Next course: Friday 17th July 2026 steam bending with Charlie Whinney. Steam bending is an ancient woodworking process which is found on every continent. Most traditionally used in boat building and barrel making, it was pioneered in the modern sense by Austrian Michael Thonet, between 1830 and 1860. Wood is a composite material, made of lignin and cellulose. When heated to 100°C with steam, the lignin becomes plastic enough for the material to be physically manipulated into new forms. It is a strong, stable and low-energy method of manufacturing wooden products and furniture, or to be used in many other woodworking craft and design applications. Cost : £240.00 all material included Book on via our website : https://marcfish.co.uk/steam-bending-with-charlie-whinney/ #furniture #steambending #sculpture #woodwork #design
Bench space available in a furniture making worksh Bench space available in a furniture making workshop. Located in Newhaven near Brighton. Space size is approximately 3m x 2.5m With training, you have access to lots of different machines (see all pictures). Machines in the workshop include 2 large panel table saws. Spindle moulder. 2 bandsaws. 3 router tables. Vacuum veneer press. Pillar drill. Engineering lathe. Milling machine. 2 planner thicknesses. Wide belt thickness sander. Edge sander. CNC router. Laser Cutter. Spray booth. Contact for prices and more details admin@marcfish.co.uk
STUDIO SAFARI: Sun 28 June Meet the Makers that sh STUDIO SAFARI: Sun 28 June Meet the Makers that shape Sussex! organised by @themakersdirectory • You will go behind the scenes with four incredible makers - Tanya Gomez, Barnaby Ash and Dru Plumb, and Marc Fish (our school founder and artist) This immersive, small-group experience will take you straight into rarely opened workshops of some of the region’s most talented craftspeople. Spaces are limited to only eight guests so book early! • The first stop will be to the edge of Lewes to meet celebrated ceramist Tanya Gomez, renowned for her porcelain vessels in her signature lustrous colours. Then we will head into the Sussex countryside to visit the award winning woodcarving duo Barnaby and Dru, aka Ash & Plumb, knee-deep in wood shavings in the beautiful former dairy where they work. In the afternoon, the Safari will head to the industrial landscape of Newhaven to speak to internationally renowned furniture maker Marc Fish and hear about how he has developed cutting-edge techniques in his extraordinary craft. You will be joined by your guide Corina - founder of The Makers Directory • “All the makers were so generous with their time and knowledge; it felt like a real privilege to be welcomed into their world.” These curated journeys offer something you won’t find anywhere else: real conversations with real makers in the spaces where their work comes to life. Only a few spaces left !! book on via The Makers Directory website LINK https://www.themakersdirectory.co.uk/studio-safaris/store/p/sun-28-june
A beautifully crafted box made here at Robinson Ho A beautifully crafted box made here at Robinson House Studio Furniture School by our full-time student, George @j2.furniture Before enrolling at the school, George completed a Foundation Degree in Furniture Design & Making. He chose to join our 50-week course to refine the quality of his craftsmanship and further develop his passion for the art of fine furniture making. This box is made from burr American black walnut and is fitted with stainless steel hinges and a suede-lined base. #woodenbox #jewerybox #craftsmanship #woodartist
Great Opportunity internship at Marc Fish studio f Great Opportunity internship at Marc Fish studio for 3 months based in the South of England. Gain hands-on experience within a working studio, specialising in veneer lamination techniques and pushing the boundaries in contemporary furniture and lighting design. Be inspired and make the next step. Send your CV and portfolio for consideration to Info@marcfish.co.uk
A look back at the amazing bookcase made here at t A look back at the amazing bookcase made here at the furniture school by our graduate James @stanbridgej_maker - The bookcase is made using Oak veneers with a flexi ply substrate with laminated oak lippings. #woodworkerlife #furniture #bookcase #furnituredesign
We are delighted to welcome @audreyfasquelle to ou We are delighted to welcome @audreyfasquelle to our school in May for a one day course in the art of marquetry. Audrey is a highly experienced craftsperson and recognised as a master furniture maker for her beautiful marquetry work by the Furniture Makers Company. This is a great opportunity to learn from best ! Come and spend a day learning this beautiful craft. Date; Wednesday 27th May Cost : £195 all materials included #marquetry #furniture #making #course #craft
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