Life-changing opportunities for all
Professional full-time training in Lyme Regis, Dorset
Professional full-time training in Lyme Regis, Dorset
Make your passion your future
Our world leading courses are focussed on professional training but also provide life-changing opportunities for complete beginners, enthusiasts and those on a gap year.
Learn boat building and woodworking by the sea in the heart of Lyme Regis, on the Dorset coast. From 1 day to 40 weeks, there is a course for everyone.
Our tutors are selected not only for their excellence in boat building and craftsmanship but also for their outstanding communication and teaching skills.
"I have taught and studied in many professional courses throughout my working life and the training I have had at the BBA is some of the very best"
– Bijan Nabavi, 2023 40-week Boat Building student
Since 1997 we have trained over 650 boat builders. Many of these have gone on to work in the industry across the UK and the world.
A practical and comprehensive programme of woodwork, skill building, joinery, drawing, bending, a personal design and make project, and much more.
From GRP Repairs to Antique Furniture Restoration, there is a short course for everyone! All courses open to complete beginners.
Since 1997 we have trained over 650 boat builders. Many of these have gone on to work in the industry across the UK and the world.
A practical and comprehensive programme of woodwork, skill building, joinery, drawing, bending, a personal design and make project, and much more.
From GRP Repairs to Antique Furniture Restoration, there is a short course for everyone! All courses open to complete beginners.
See the boats built by past students of our 40-week boat building course, and follow the latest builds as they unfold.
See the final pieces designed and crafted by students of our 12-week furniture making course.
We aim to provide financial help to men and women passionate to train in the crafts of boat building and woodworking.
Explore our upcoming events at the Boat Building Academy and see where we’ll be exhibiting at boat shows.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis (6 October 2025) to meet students past and
The Boat Building Academy was delighted to welcome Will and Sara Stirling, of www.stirlingandson.co.uk, for a special talk. Will shared insights into
Explore our upcoming events at the Boat Building Academy and see where we’ll be exhibiting at boat shows.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis (6 October 2025) to meet students past and
The Boat Building Academy was delighted to welcome Will and Sara Stirling, of www.stirlingandson.co.uk, for a special talk. Will shared insights into
“The 40-week Boat Building course is by far the best thing I have ever done. The teaching is of the highest quality, both in expertise and enthusiasm for the course and the boatbuilding industry in general. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering a career in either woodworking or boatbuilding or even just to learn a new skillset.”
George Soper, 40-week Boat Building Graduate
"Your college has set the benchmark for the future of training craftsmen, which has long been the biggest worry of traditional boat builders and repairers. You deserve to go from strength to strength, and I for one will recommend it to anyone looking for a career in our industry."
Tom Richardson, Owner of Elephant Boatyard, Hampshire
A really useful week! I learned techniques and got some confidence in general woodworking, but the best thing was being able to bring my boat along for the class to work on.
I am extremely grateful for the dedicated concentration on the issues that need sorting for my boat.
A brilliant, well run school, where everyone was helpful, professional and a joy to be around! It was an excellent course that more than met my expectations. Providing many detailed explanations on several different aspects of boat construction.
Richard Cord, Modern Wooden Boat
All our interactions and experiences with the BBA have impressed us with their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive space. The teaching offered is second to none, and the environment is unique in its atmosphere of respect, encouragement and acceptance of all. BBA is a wonderful place to spend time.
Belinda Joslin, Women in Boatbuilding
“I wanted to do the 40 week course in order to retrain and start a new career. Without the bursary I would not have been able to join when I did, and at 34 I felt that I didn’t have time to waste. Before the course, I was stuck in a fairly poorly paid job and only had a small amount of savings. I was lucky enough that my family were willing to help with some of my costs, but it was a stretch. The bursary I received enabled me to make up the rest and enjoy the course to the fullest. I now have lifelong skills (and friends), and finally a career that I love. I wouldn’t be writing this without the support I received.”
Tom Jenkins , 40-week Boat Building Graduate
"It exceeded expectations! Lovely people, lovely tutor, lovely place. It was the right amount of things to try and achieve in a week."
Thank you so much for the bursary opportunity. This has had a huge impact on me & has made the project i want to achieve more possible and less scary to start."
“I trained at BBA and built my first boat as a replica to the oldest surviving Shetland boat and this has underpinned my work as a traditional wooden boat builder for the last seventeen years. I would like to express my great appreciation to all the tutors at the Academy for the guidance, skill and knowledge they have shared with me.”.
Gail McGarva, 40-week Boat Building Graduate
"The BBA prepares you perfectly for the boat building industry, and in my case Spirit Yachts. The boats are bigger, but the fundamentals are the same and it’s much easier to scale up than down"
