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This 3-day training programme provides the essential foundation for anyone wishing to use bushcraft within outdoor education. It is accredited by the Institute for Outdoor Learning and follows their Statement of Good Practice, covering the key skills needed to confidently practise core bushcraft techniques. The course is entirely hands-on, ensuring that you leave with practical, repeatable skills.
This intensive course is designed to give you a strong foundation in core bushcraft skills. You will learn how to safely use knives, saws and other tools, as well as how to maintain and sharpen them. Practical carving sessions include making items such as tent pegs and feather sticks, which help develop confidence in handling tools effectively.
Shelter building is covered in detail, with a focus on site selection, design principles, insulation and bedding. While you will not construct a fully waterproof shelter during the course, the training provides a clear understanding of how to build one effectively in your own time. Fire-making is another central element, covering a wide range of methods from traditional bow drills to modern fire steels and chemical ignition. You will also work on preparing tinder bundles and learning how to maintain a sustainable fire.
Further sessions include tree identification with practical uses, making cordage from natural materials, and sourcing, filtering and purifying water. Natural navigation is introduced using the sun, moon, stars and simple improvised tools. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on building your own skills to a level where they can be used confidently and safely in outdoor settings.
The course takes place in a 35-acre private ancient woodland in Westwell, Kent, within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The woodland is an excellent environment for bushcraft, offering a variety of native trees, wildflowers and wildlife that support the skills being taught.
The site is easily accessible from London by both road and rail, yet feels secluded and unspoilt. A short walk from the meeting point leads you into the woodland camp, with your bags transported by 4x4.
Participants will stay in the woodland for the duration of the course. You are welcome to bring your own tent, tarp, or hammock, making the most of the natural environment while keeping comfortable.
Facilities include composting toilets and a covered communal area for cooking and dining. Meals are provided in the camp, and hot drinks are available throughout. The set-up is simple but designed to give a genuine outdoor living experience without unnecessary discomfort.
Participants must be at least 16 years old to attend. No prior bushcraft experience is required, although if you are completely new to the subject it is recommended you contact the team before booking.
This training is suitable for outdoor professionals, educators, and anyone wishing to integrate bushcraft into structured programmes. To gain the full IOL Bushcraft Competency Certificate, you will need to complete 120 quality hours of logged practice and attend a separate assessment.
The centre was founded in 2011 and is run by experienced instructors who have spent years teaching bushcraft in the British countryside. Their approach focuses on practical, repeatable methods that are safe and straightforward to apply.
Located in a beautiful Kent woodland, the centre provides an authentic outdoor setting that strengthens the training experience. Small group sizes ensure personalised guidance, giving participants the confidence to use these skills in their own outdoor practice.
Courses take place in Westwell, Kent, which is easily accessible by road from the M20 and M2. For those travelling by train, Ashford International station is just 5 miles away, with a high-speed connection from St. Pancras taking around 40 minutes. Charing station is also close, approximately 4 miles from the site, and taxis can be arranged in advance if needed.
The woodland setting is slightly off the beaten track, providing a quiet environment for bushcraft learning while remaining within convenient reach of local transport links. Once you arrive, the walk to the woodland camp is about 15 minutes at a gentle pace, with the final stretch uphill. Your gear will be transported most of the way in a 4×4, so only light carrying is required.
The IOL Bushcraft Competency Certificate is a recognised training and assessment system developed by the Institute for Outdoor Learning to standardise bushcraft education. It sets out a clear framework of skills that outdoor practitioners should be able to demonstrate when using bushcraft as part of structured programmes.
This 3-day training course covers the essential practical elements of the syllabus. To complete the full certificate, you will need to log 120 quality hours of practice and attend a separate assessment, which can be arranged through the same training provider.
The course is ideal for outdoor instructors, teachers, youth workers, or anyone planning to use bushcraft skills within an educational or professional setting. It is designed to give both confidence in your own abilities and the tools to effectively teach others.
It is also open to enthusiasts who want to take their bushcraft skills to a recognised standard. While you don’t need to be an expert, a genuine interest in the outdoors and a willingness to learn in a hands-on environment will be important.
Pets and alcohol are not allowed on courses. The woodland setting includes livestock nearby, and there is regular use of knives, axes, and other tools, which makes bringing animals unsafe. Some participants also prefer a dog-free environment, which is taken into account.
Courses aim to maintain a safe, focused environment for all attendees, so alcohol and pets are not permitted. This ensures everyone can concentrate on learning and enjoying the bushcraft activities.
The woodland is carefully managed to protect its natural environment. Conservation and sustainable woodland management are integral to all courses, and participants are encouraged to learn about natural history and responsible practices as part of the experience.
Course sizes are kept small, usually a maximum of 8 people, to minimise environmental impact and ensure a more personalised learning experience. Every activity is designed to respect the woodland while providing meaningful bushcraft education.
Accommodation is based entirely in the woodland. You can choose to bring your own tent, tarp, or hammock, or you can build and sleep in a natural shelter created during the course. This flexibility allows you to engage with the training at the level you feel most comfortable.
Facilities are simple but functional, including composting toilets and a covered dining area. Meals are prepared on-site, and tea and coffee are available throughout the course, giving you a communal and authentic camping experience.
After you’ve made your booking, the centre will send a comprehensive joining pack 6 to 8 weeks before the session. This pack contains essential information about the meeting point, what to bring, clothing and equipment recommendations, and any other instructions needed to fully participate in the course.
It is important to bring this joining pack with you on the day, as it includes guidance that ensures you are properly prepared, helping the session run smoothly and safely from start to finish.
About the centre
Dunn Street Farm, Dunn Street, Westwell, Ashford, Kent TN25 4NJ
Operated by Jack Raven Bushcraft, a partner of adventuro.
