Spend a full day learning traditional green woodworking skills in a peaceful woodland setting. You’ll work with hand tools to craft useful wooden items from freshly cut green wood, guided by an expert tutor. The session combines practical skill-building with a hands-on connection to nature and a bit of fun with axe throwing.
Your day starts with a warm welcome at the woodland basecamp, surrounded by native trees and the natural sounds of the woods. Over a hot drink, your tutor will introduce you to the traditional tools and crafts of green woodworking, explaining the history and practical uses of the shave horse, drawknife, carving knives, and carving axe. After this, you’ll move into the woods to select a suitable tree, learning how to identify the right species and how to fell it safely with hand tools, gaining insight into sustainable woodland management and respectful harvesting.
Back at camp, you’ll begin shaping your wood by cleaving logs and rough shaping pieces to make tent pegs, twig spoons, and decorative gypsy flowers. You will practice safe and effective grips and techniques for carving and shaping wood. After lunch, including a campfire kettle, you’ll enjoy a fun session of axe throwing to test your accuracy and add some light-hearted competition to the day. The afternoon focuses on refining your work, crafting a wooden spatula to take home. Throughout the day, you’ll gain knowledge about the ecological and cultural background of these crafts, leaving with practical skills and a deeper appreciation of working with natural materials.
Set in the scenic Park in the Past at Fagl Lane, Hope, this venue offers a mix of mixed woodland, wetlands, and open meadows across 120 acres of wild space. The workshop is nestled beneath native tree canopies, providing a quiet and inspiring environment for woodland craft activities. The varied landscape supports a rich biodiversity, allowing participants to connect closely with the natural surroundings while learning.
Located in Wrexham, North East Wales, the area is accessible yet feels remote enough to offer a true escape into nature. The woodland itself is managed sustainably, offering an authentic space to engage in traditional crafts linked to the local environment and heritage. The site also includes facilities like parking and a fire pit for comfortable breaks throughout the day.
Participants should be physically able to stand and work outdoors for several hours and have a willingness to learn practical hand tool skills. No previous experience with woodworking or bushcraft is necessary, making this course suitable for beginners looking to try something new and hands-on.
A basic level of fitness is helpful due to the woodland terrain and the physical nature of using hand tools, including some lifting and chopping. Protective clothing and footwear suitable for outdoor work are essential for comfort and safety during the session.
The team is made up of experienced outdoor educators passionate about helping people reconnect with nature through practical skills and creative play. Their expertise in bushcraft, forest school, and nature therapy provides a supportive and inspiring environment where learning is engaging and meaningful. The instructors bring a wealth of knowledge from years of working in environmental education and woodland conservation, ensuring every session is grounded in both tradition and ecological respect.
The approach emphasises connection to the landscape and sustainable use of natural materials, allowing participants not only to gain new skills but also to understand the cultural and environmental significance behind them. Combining skill-building with well-being, the experience encourages mindfulness and personal growth in a welcoming, hands-on setting.
No prior experience in woodworking or bushcraft is needed to join this lesson. It is designed to be accessible to beginners, with guidance provided every step of the way. The tutor will teach you the safe handling of traditional tools and introduce you to the basic techniques of green woodworking, ensuring you feel confident throughout the day.
If you have some experience with hand tools or woodworking, the lesson will still provide valuable skills and deepen your understanding of working with green wood. The supportive environment encourages questions and hands-on practice to help you improve, regardless of your starting level.
You will work with a selection of traditional green woodworking tools including carving knives, drawknives, a shave horse, and a carving axe. Each tool will be introduced with a safety briefing and practical demonstration before you begin using it yourself. This ensures you learn correct and safe techniques for handling each tool.
All tools are provided as part of the course, so you don’t need to bring your own. The tutor will also guide you on how to maintain the tools properly while using them, which is an essential part of working with traditional woodworking equipment.
The course involves standing, using hand tools, and working with logs, which requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Tasks such as cleaving wood, carving, and axe throwing need some strength and stamina, but the pace is manageable with regular breaks. The environment is outdoors on uneven woodland terrain, so some mobility is required.
If you have any mobility issues or health concerns, it’s advisable to discuss these in advance to ensure the session is suitable. The tutor can provide adaptations where possible, but the physical nature of the course means participants should be prepared for active outdoor work.
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Layers are recommended as you’ll be outside all day, and the weather in woodland can be changeable. Sturdy, closed-toe footwear such as boots or strong trainers is essential to protect your feet and provide good grip on uneven ground.
Bringing gloves for hand protection is useful, though gloves won’t be worn during fine carving to keep dexterity. Also bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellent depending on the weather. Personal protective equipment like goggles will be provided as needed.
Yes, the course is designed so you will craft several wooden items during the day, including a wooden spatula, tent pegs, twig spoons, and decorative gypsy flowers. These handmade items are yours to keep and reflect the skills you have learned during the lesson.
Creating these pieces helps you practice the different tool techniques and provides a rewarding takeaway that represents your connection with the craft and the natural materials you’ve worked with.
Safety is a top priority throughout the lesson. The tutor will begin with a detailed briefing on tool use, including how to handle sharp knives and axes properly. Participants will be closely supervised during all hands-on activities, especially when felling wood and using axes.
Personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection is provided and must be worn where appropriate. The tutor also teaches safe body positioning and techniques to reduce risk, ensuring that every participant learns how to work safely both during and after the session.
The course runs outdoors in most weather conditions, so participants should come prepared for rain, wind, or sun. The woodland environment offers some shelter under trees, and there are designated rest areas with fire for warmth and comfort during breaks.
In the event of extreme weather that could compromise safety, such as severe storms or lightning, the session may be postponed or rescheduled. Participants will be informed in advance and offered alternative dates or refunds where necessary.
The lesson promotes sustainable woodland management by teaching respectful tree selection and felling methods, encouraging participants to understand the balance between using natural resources and conserving woodland health. The wood used is green and locally sourced, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Participants also learn about the ecological significance of woodlands, fostering a deeper appreciation for natural habitats. This connection supports long-term environmental awareness and encourages continued responsible use of natural materials beyond the course.
About the centre
Wrexham
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
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Operated by Woodland Classroom, a partner of adventuro.
