Have you looked at the ABANA website? There's an immense amount of good information there. Two Facebook pages which are very welcoming are International Blacksmithing and British Artist Blacksmiths Association.
You could make do with a molegrip wrench to start. You can cut hot steel easily with cold chisels. I use an old axe as well to cut off material. I recommend a light ball peeing, 1 &1/2lbs or lighter, because it's the speed of the strike that moves material more efficiently than its weight. A tapered punch is easily made & is used to make & enlarge holes.