Designed for those with some existing bushcraft experience, the Wayfarer’s Weekend focuses on self-reliance and putting your skills into practice. Participants carry or construct all their equipment, light fires, purify water, and cook meals, giving a realistic experience of travelling and living in the woods. The course is hands-on, challenging, and ideal for building confidence in independent bushcraft.
From the meeting point, participants traverse sections of the North Downs, carrying all their equipment and setting up camps at different locations. Each evening, you’ll light your own fire, cook meals, and practise outdoor living skills, reinforcing self-reliance and practical knowledge.
The following day continues with moving camp, establishing shelters, collecting materials for fire, and preparing meals, all while consolidating previous bushcraft skills. Participants also focus on wilderness safety, knife and saw use, and foraging for natural resources.
By the final day, campers will have carried out multiple moves, practised efficient campsite management, and deepened their understanding of bushcraft in a real-world setting. You’ll leave with greater independence, resilience, and practical experience for future adventures.
The course takes place on the North Downs in Westwell, Kent, within private woodland with diverse flora and fauna. Participants experience a variety of woodland environments while travelling and camping across the course.
The area is rich in native trees and wildlife, including deer, owls, and woodpeckers. The terrain is varied, giving a realistic sense of navigation, outdoor living, and woodland resource management.
Participants sleep in tents they bring themselves, carrying their gear between locations. There are no pre-set shelters or facilities, allowing a true back-to-nature experience and emphasizing lightweight, practical camping.
The course is designed to teach efficient packing, campsite selection, and shelter setup in a real woodland environment. All meals are provided, but participants cook their own food over fires, practising essential bushcraft and survival techniques.
Participants should have some prior bushcraft experience and be comfortable carrying equipment across woodland terrain. Basic competence with tools like knives and saws is recommended.
The course is intended for adults and assumes a reasonable level of physical fitness for walking, setting up camp, and outdoor cooking over two days.
The instructors have years of experience in bushcraft and a strong connection to the Kent countryside. Small group sizes allow personalised support, enabling participants to develop practical skills in a challenging yet safe environment.
Sustainability and minimal environmental impact are central to the course, with all participants practising leave-no-trace principles. You’ll gain skills, confidence, and knowledge to undertake independent bushcraft adventures while respecting the woodland environment.
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.
Courses are designed to be enjoyable and educational, providing hands-on experience in bushcraft while keeping you warm, dry, and well fed. Activities vary depending on the course type but generally cover practical skills like firelighting, tool use, shelter building, and woodland awareness. Reviews from past participants highlight both the learning and the social atmosphere of the courses.
You won’t need to worry about extreme survival tests; the focus is on learning at a comfortable pace. Covered teaching areas and a yurt with a wood-burning stove are available, so you’ll have shelter from the weather. Outdoor activities continue in all weathers except in cases of high winds, and waterproofs are recommended for all participants.
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.
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.
