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For those who want to go beyond the basics, this course focuses on developing a single craft or skill in depth. With several hours each day dedicated to your chosen subject, you’ll leave with real progress and confidence in your abilities. All of this takes place alongside comfortable camping and excellent food.
Your stay begins with a warm welcome and orientation to the woodland camp, allowing time to settle in before focusing on your chosen skill. Morning sessions are dedicated to learning and practising core techniques such as creating fire without modern tools, shaping and preparing pottery for pit-firing, or identifying and harvesting edible fungi in season. The expert instructor guides you through each step to ensure safe and effective practice.
Afternoons offer the chance to refine your techniques, experiment with more advanced methods, or explore related skills that complement your main focus. Evening meals are prepared over an open fire using fresh, local ingredients, providing nourishment and time to relax. Optional evening activities might include night walks to experience the woodland after dark or wildlife spotting. If you extend the course, additional days allow you to deepen your expertise or broaden your learning into other areas.
The course takes place within Dartmoor National Park near the village of Chagford, an area known for its expansive moorland, ancient woodlands, and diverse wildlife. The camp is set in a sheltered clearing which provides a calm base while still offering a real connection to Dartmoor’s wild landscape.
Nearby, participants can access moorland trails and several wild swimming spots to enjoy during breaks or after the day’s activities. Mobile signal is generally reliable for calls and messaging, allowing you to stay connected without interrupting the peaceful environment.
Accommodation includes spacious bell tents fitted with camp beds, carpets, and hot water bottles for warmth and comfort. Sleeping bags or duvets and pillows are required for personal bedding. Compost toilets and a fire-heated shower are available, although the latter requires advance notice.
The camp environment combines rustic charm with practical comforts, ensuring restful nights and a supportive base for extended learning in nature.
No previous experience is required, though those with some knowledge can choose to work at a more advanced level. All specialist tools and materials for your chosen skill are provided.
Bring practical outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear, and a sleeping bag or duvet. The walk into camp is short, and accessible routes are available on request.
This course is led by a highly skilled instructor who brings extensive local and international bushcraft expertise to your learning experience. Situated within Dartmoor National Park, the setting provides an authentic wilderness environment ideal for deep skill development.
Sustainable practices are central to the course, including locally sourced fresh food and reclaimed equipment to reduce environmental impact. This approach ensures participants not only gain practical skills but also connect meaningfully with nature and community in a respectful, relaxed atmosphere.
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.
The mastery course dedicates several hours each day to concentrating on one specific craft or skill chosen by the participant, such as fire by friction, pit-fired pottery, or natural navigation. This focused approach allows in-depth practice and refinement, guided by expert instruction to develop proficiency and confidence.
Outside of these core sessions, there are opportunities to apply your skills in real-world settings within the woodland environment. This practical application is supported by additional activities like cooking fire-cooked meals, weaving cordage, or conducting foraging excursions, enriching the learning experience.
While the primary aim is mastery of your chosen craft, the course includes supplementary experiences to support holistic bushcraft knowledge. These include preparing and sharing fire-cooked meals using wild and local ingredients, exploring the woodland to identify plants and fungi, and participating in group discussions about sustainability and traditional skills.
Evenings might involve creative projects like making primitive pottery or crafting useful items from natural materials. These activities encourage creativity, patience, and deeper engagement with the environment, making the course more than just skill acquisition but a comprehensive experience of outdoor living.
Accommodation is provided in spacious bell tents featuring comfortable camp beds, carpets, and hot water bottles to keep you cosy throughout your stay. The woodland camp offers a peaceful setting that supports extended learning by providing a restful environment where you can recharge between intensive skill sessions.
Shared facilities include compost toilets and a fire-heated shower, helping to maintain comfort without detracting from the wilderness experience. Staying on site each night means you benefit from full immersion, allowing your learning and connection with nature to deepen over several days.
About the centre
Westcott Woods, Chagford
Operated by Thrive Bushcraft, a partner of adventuro.
Devon, United Kingdom
From £195
