Spending time in the woods is about more than just walking; it’s about noticing what surrounds you. This one-day course focuses on tuning your senses to the sights, sounds, and smells of the woodland, helping you to identify local wildlife and understand their behaviour. Through practical exercises and guided observation, you’ll gain a deeper awareness of nature that changes how you experience the countryside.
The day begins with exercises to heighten your senses using techniques like still hunting, allowing you to observe the woodland in a more detailed way. You’ll explore the area slowly, learning to notice subtle changes in the environment and the presence of wildlife. Alongside this, you’ll create a tracking stick and familiarise yourself with equipment that enhances nature observation.
Next, you’ll study key principles of tracking. Participants learn different types of mammal tracks, how to measure them, line of travel, stride, and various walking patterns. Identification of signs such as dens, nests, feeding sites, and gnaw marks is also covered, reinforcing practical knowledge that can be applied immediately.
In the afternoon, skills are put into practice during silent woodland stalking. Past participants have observed deer, foxes, hares, buzzards, woodpeckers, snakes, and lizards. By the end of the day, you’ll be confident in recognising and interpreting evidence of wildlife around you.
Westwell, Kent, provides an ideal setting for this course, with a 35-acre private ancient broadleaf woodland situated on the Kent Downs, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site contains a wide variety of native trees, wildflowers, and thriving bird and mammal populations.
Located approximately 50 miles from central London, the woodland is easily accessible by road or rail. A short walk from the meeting point leads to the main camp area where all activities take place.
No previous bushcraft or outdoor experience is necessary, as all skills are taught in a practical and hands-on manner.
Participants should be reasonably mobile and prepared for walking slowly through woodland terrain for the majority of the day.
Instructors have a lifelong passion for the British countryside and bring extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna to each session. Participants benefit from an authentic, practical learning experience that can be applied independently.
Courses take place in a managed woodland supporting a diverse range of wildlife, offering a safe and engaging environment for learning. Instruction is personalised, ensuring that every participant gains confidence in tracking and nature observation.
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.
No previous bushcraft or tracking experience is required. The course is designed to be fully hands-on, guiding participants step by step through all techniques and skills.
Even if you have never spent much time in the countryside, the exercises are structured to help anyone gain confidence in observing and interpreting wildlife signs. Instructors are on hand to provide personalised support throughout the day.
Most courses are aimed at adults, but children aged 12 and over may join, provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
Only one adult may accompany one child on a course. The adult is responsible for the safety and behaviour of the under-18 participant throughout the session. This ensures a safe and manageable learning environment for everyone.
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.
Participants will learn how to tune their senses to notice subtle changes in the woodland, track animals, and identify signs such as tracks, scat, feeding sites, and nests. You’ll also make and use a tracking stick to assist with observation.
By the end of the day, you will be able to interpret animal behaviour and recognise evidence of local wildlife independently. Techniques such as still hunting and measuring tracks will leave you with repeatable, practical skills.
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
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Jack Raven Bushcraft, a partner of adventuro.
