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This two-day, two-night woodland experience is designed for those who want to switch off from the everyday and reconnect with the natural world. You’ll enjoy hands-on bushcraft skills, wild foraging, and cosy camp life, with plenty of time to relax and share the experience with friends or family. Comfortable bell tent accommodation, hearty fire-cooked meals, and unique activities make this an unforgettable way to spend a weekend outdoors.
Your weekend begins by settling into your fully prepared bell tent, complete with carpets, lighting, and hot water bottles for a comfortable stay. After a welcome drink made from locally foraged botanicals, you’ll gather around the fire to discuss your plans and enjoy your first freshly cooked meal. Activities are tailored to your group, but may include a guided foraging walk, primitive pottery making, and a refreshing wild swim at a nearby spot.
Meals are prepared over the fire and often include foraged flavours, from freshly baked Dutch oven bread to seasonal greens. As night falls, you’ll head out for a guided night walk to look for badgers and enjoy Dartmoor’s remarkable stargazing. The second day can involve learning fire-lighting by friction, exploring the surrounding woodland, or simply relaxing in camp with a hot drink in hand. Throughout, there’s time for conversation, shared meals, and enjoying the peace of the woods at your own pace.
Set in Westcott Woods, Chagford, the woodland offers both seclusion and easy access to local highlights. The camp area is sheltered, with a central fire pit and covered space to gather, making it a welcoming spot whatever the weather. The woods are a short walk from a roadside parking area, with carts available to carry your gear, or you can arrive via a longer scenic route along an old bridle track for a more immersive start to your stay.
The surrounding area is rich in wildlife, with opportunities to spot deer, badgers, and a variety of birds. For those who want to explore further, local trails lead to wild swimming spots, open moorland views, and charming villages. Mobile signal is generally good for calls and messages, though the setting naturally encourages you to put devices away and make the most of your time outdoors.
Accommodation is provided in spacious bell tents fitted with quality camp beds, carpets, and hot water bottles to ensure warmth and comfort during the night. Guests should bring their own sleeping bags or duvets and pillows for personal comfort. Compost toilets are on site, and a fire-heated shower is available, although it requires some advance notice to organise. Battery packs are provided to keep essential electronics charged throughout your stay.
The campsite balances rustic outdoor living with practical comforts, allowing you to experience nature without sacrificing warmth and rest. The combination of shelter, campfire cooking, and comfortable bedding creates an environment that supports both learning and relaxation during your woodland weekend.
No prior bushcraft experience is needed, and all equipment for planned activities is provided. You should bring suitable outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear, and your own sleeping bag or duvet.
A reasonable level of mobility is required to reach the camp from the parking area, but more accessible routes are available for those who need them. All activities can be adapted to suit your group’s abilities and preferences.
The courses take place within 10 acres of private woodland near Chagford in Dartmoor National Park, a location that offers seclusion yet remains accessible with free pick-up from Exeter and just 2½ hours from London Paddington. The site’s natural beauty, shelter, and wildlife provide an ideal setting for immersive bushcraft learning.
Instruction is led by an experienced professional who grew up locally and has been teaching bushcraft since 2015, with worldwide trekking experience. The focus is on sustainable and enjoyable living outdoors rather than survival, with an emphasis on practical skills, community, and comfort. All meals are locally sourced and freshly prepared, and much of the equipment is reclaimed or renovated to minimise environmental impact. Bell tents with quality camp beds, carpets, and hot water bottles ensure a cosy night’s rest to complement the day’s activities.
No, our courses are designed to cater for a wide range of abilities, so previous experience is not essential. Each session starts with a briefing where your instructor will outline the plan for the day, discuss safety, and assess your current ability level. This ensures the activities and instruction are pitched appropriately for you. Even if you’re completely new, the training is structured to help you progress comfortably at your own pace.
For those with prior experience, the instructor will adapt the session so you can work on more advanced techniques. This personalised approach means mixed-ability groups can train together without anyone feeling out of their depth or held back. Our goal is for every participant to finish the course with improved skills, more confidence, and a sense of achievement.
The majority of specialist equipment is provided, but you may be asked to bring personal items such as suitable clothing, sturdy footwear, and waterproof layers depending on the course. It’s important to dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions, and avoid wearing anything you wouldn’t want to get wet or muddy.
A kit list will be sent to you in advance so you can prepare properly. If you already own some of the required gear, you’re welcome to bring it along for your own comfort, but it must meet our safety standards. For items we provide, our team checks and maintains everything regularly to ensure it’s in safe working order.
Courses run in most weather conditions, so a bit of rain or wind usually won’t stop the day from going ahead. Activities can often be adapted to work in less-than-perfect conditions, and our instructors are experienced in adjusting sessions so they remain safe and enjoyable. Sometimes, the weather can even make the experience more memorable.
However, if the forecast presents genuine safety concerns—such as extreme winds, flooding, or thunderstorms—the course may be postponed or adjusted. In that case, we’ll contact you as early as possible to discuss your options, including rescheduling or transferring to a different course.
Courses are designed for small groups to make sure each participant gets plenty of individual attention from the instructor. Keeping numbers low allows for better communication, tailored feedback, and the flexibility to adjust the pace to suit everyone’s abilities. This approach also makes the sessions feel more personal and relaxed, which can be especially important for building confidence and skills.
A smaller group means you’ll have more opportunities to ask questions, practise techniques, and get direct guidance without feeling rushed. It also encourages a supportive atmosphere where participants can share experiences and learn from each other. By limiting numbers, the instructor can focus on helping each person progress at their own speed, ensuring the training feels both engaging and manageable.
Meals during the weekend course are prepared over an open fire using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, often enhanced with foraged plants and herbs found nearby. Typical dishes include bread baked in a Dutch oven, vegetable stews, and wild mushroom-based recipes. The food aims to be nourishing and satisfying, providing energy for outdoor activities while reflecting traditional bushcraft cooking techniques.
In addition to the main meals, you’ll enjoy drinks infused with foraged botanicals and snacks roasted by the fire, like marshmallows or nuts. The communal meals provide a relaxed atmosphere to connect with others, share stories, and unwind after the day’s activities, reinforcing the social side of wilderness living.
Safety is a top priority throughout the course, with all activities supervised by experienced instructors who provide clear guidance on techniques and risks. Fire-lighting by friction is taught step-by-step, with safe zones set aside for practice away from flammable materials and with constant monitoring to prevent accidents.
Night walks are carefully planned with consideration for terrain and visibility, ensuring participants are well briefed and equipped with head torches and walking aids if necessary. The group stays together, and wildlife watching respects the animals’ habitats without disturbance. Safety protocols are in place to handle any emergencies swiftly and calmly.
Accommodation is provided in cosy bell tents set within the woodland, each equipped with comfortable camp beds, carpets, and hot water bottles to ensure warmth during cooler nights. These tents offer a comfortable base to relax after a day of activities, blending rustic outdoor living with thoughtful touches to enhance comfort. Communal areas with shelter allow you to gather regardless of the weather.
The site includes compost toilets and a fire-heated shower, adding to the convenience of your stay. Accommodation is included in the course price, meaning you can focus fully on your learning and relaxation without needing to arrange your own lodging nearby.
About the centre
Westcott Woods, Chagford
Operated by Thrive Bushcraft, a partner of adventuro.
