Snowdrop and Ivy Railings in the South Hams, Devon
Blacksmith in Devon
The Work
Simon Connett is an artist blacksmith working from a rural forge on the Devon/Dorset border, where he has been forging steel by hand since 2001. His work runs from garden sculpture and entrance gates to railings, balustrades and site-specific architectural ironwork - all of it drawn, forged and finished by one pair of hands.
Most of what leaves the forge is made to commission for a particular garden, doorway or landscape. Nothing is stock. Each piece begins with a conversation about the setting, then a hand-drawn design, before any steel goes into the fire.
If you are looking for a blacksmith in Devon for a one-off piece rather than an off-the-shelf product, this is the kind of work Simon does.
Hand-Forged Work
Garden Sculpture
Simon's signature work: forged plant forms - foxgloves, snowdrops, hollyhocks, artichokes - scaled for gardens and landscape settings. Each is forged from solid steel and weathers naturally over time.
Gates and Entrance Ironwork
Hand-forged gates for driveways, gardens and courtyards. Traditional joinery - mortice and tenon, riveted collars, fire welds- with contemporary or botanical design. Sized, hung and finished for the opening they belong to.
Railings and balustrades
Exterior railings, terrace balustrades and interior staircase ironwork. Made to Building Regulations where required, and designed so the metalwork reads as part of the architecture rather than bolted onto it.
How a Commission Works
1. Conversation
A phone call or site visit to understand the setting, scale, budget and timescale.
2. Design
Hand-drawn proposals, revised with you until the design is right. Detailed quote issued at this stage.
3. Forging
The piece is made at the forge. Hot-forged from solid bar - drawn down, upset, punched and welded at the anvil.
4. Finishing and Installation
Finished in hot wax, paint or left to weather, depending on the setting. Delivered and installed, with fixings specified for the substrate.
Working Across Devon and the UK
The forge sits on the Devon/Dorset border, which puts most of the county within comfortable reach for site visits, measuring and installation. Simon regularly works in:
East Devon (Honiton, Axminster, Seaton, Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary), Exeter and the Exe Valley, the South Hams (Totnes, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Dartmouth). Dartmoor fringes. North Devon.
Recent Devon work includes:
The snowdrop and ivy railings, large trellis and the cow parsley gate in the South Hams, Devon, pictured at the top of the page.
The foxglove and hollyhock gate in Silverton Devon.
Commissions are also delivered further afield across the South West and the rest of the UK like this Rose Garden Gate in East Sussex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Devon is the forge?
Simon works from a rural forge on the Devon/Dorset border near Colyton, covering the whole of Devon for commissions, site visits and installation.
How much does a hand-forged gate cost?
Every piece is made to commission, so cost depends on size, complexity and finish. A detailed quote follows the design stage, before any work begins.
Do you make traditional or contemporary designs?
Both. Simon's own work is contemporary and often botanical, but he takes on traditional commissions and sympathetic work for period and listed properties.
How long does a commission take?
As with pirce, each project is different and will depend on scale and the current workload at the forge.
Do you work outside Devon?
Yes. Commissions are regularly delivered across the South West and nationally, though Devon and Dorset are home ground.
Considering a Commission?
Simon's blacksmith studio and forge undertakes both individual commissions and larger landscape projects.
Each begins with a conversation about scale, context and installation.
From concept sketches through to fabrication and placement, every piece is developed with its setting in mind.