About Us
Here at Hurstbourne Forge in the heart of Hampshire, a family team run by Jack and Lydia Swanborough create unique, high-quality metal homewares, gifts and bespoke commissions for both the modern and traditional home. With their attention to detail and personal touch they can produce pretty much anything in metal - with precision and care.
The Forge was created after they had an idea for the perfect family Christmas gift (a very large metal trivet covered in ducks!) but could find nowhere to get it made. Several more wedding, birthday and housewarming gift ideas, testing of products, and canvassing of opinions later, the Forge has now became a full time endeavour.
Started in a small workshop in their back garden, Hurstbourne Forge was a runaway success in its first year, quickly expanding to a full family-run business with Jack’s brother and father in the workshop, and mother in the office. In September 2020, Hurstbourne Forge moved to a large new workshop in Andover to keep up with demand, and to be able to offer an ever increasing range of products and services.
They welcome your ideas and bespoke orders, as truly special and memorable gifts are always unique. Combining traditional metalworking techniques with the modern precision of CAD and plasma cutting, they produce everything in their workshop. They aim to work with local suppliers where possible and very much emphasise the longevity and durability of their products in this disposable world.
Jack completed his Master's in Engineering at Cambridge and during his time there sat on the Executive Committee of the ADC theatre, home of the famous Footlights. He then went on to work in research and development for practical, educational Summer courses in programming, electronics, 3D design and more as a Technical Manager. Always a "practical maker" he has created everything from ride-on railways, huge theatre revolves and flying platforms to AI robots - so he runs the workshop and brings the designs and working ideas to life.
Lydia obtained a Master's in Medieval Languages and Literature at Cambridge, also taking a particular interest in both theatre set design and construction during her time there. Now with several years of corporate experience behind her, she provides the other half of the team - looking after sales and marketing and using her creative and design skills to develop and expand their growing range of products.
