Outdoors and rural skills courses

FEATURED

Dry Stone Walling for beginners - 2 days including artisan locally sourced lunch

Gold AWARD

(13)

Dry Stone Walling for beginners - 2 days including artisan locally sourced lunch

In-person course

Lancashire

£175

A fun, informal and uplifting experience for all. Cheshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire. A uniquely superior choice. Would you, your friends or your family enjoy a fun and informal session building a real dry stone wall in a stunning countryside setting? Get out in the fresh air, be next to nature, and restore an important feature that defines the British landscape. Dry stone walling is a positive and relaxing experience which promotes mindfulness and boosts wellbeing in an inspirational, natural environment. Delivered by highly qualified craftsmen and Dry Stone Walling Association...

Gold AWARD

(16)

Basket making for beginners

In-person course

Worcestershire

£75

You can make a multi-coloured round shopping basket on this one day course. Learn ancient weaving techniques and take home your own creation. Jon and Becky are both qualified teachers and have been teaching basket making for 25 years. Basketiers sit or stand to weave at table top height. We have regular workshops teaching 8 people to make their own coloured willow baskets using locally grown and Somerset willows. If you are a beginner and you want to make a large, strong and durable basket in coloured willow, this is...

Bronze AWARD

(3)

Bowl basket- 1 day course

In-person course

Devon

£50

Bowl Basket- A one day course taught by Jane Welsh, to make a curved sided basket which shows off the willow colours of your choice. This basket is made with a traditional base, waled and French randed sides and a rod or plaited border. Suitable for beginners.

Platinum AWARD

(1)

Woodland hand felling

In-person course

South Yorkshire

£85

This one day course will teach you how to fell small trees by hand and how to process them ready for use as firewood, craft material and or brash. Trees need to be felled to keep the woodland in a healthy state and to allow other trees to grow to their full capacity. It also allows light onto the woodland floor, creating an environment for other flora and fauna to thrive. You will be using traditional woodland tools such as a bowsaw, axe, felling lever and rope to fell the...

Gold AWARD

(2)

Gardening for bees and wildlife

In-person course

East Sussex

£40

There is no doubt that our native pollinators are in decline, and honeybees are struggling with environmental pressures and intensive production. Beekeeping is not just about looking after our colonies, it is also about how we can use our knowledge to help all pollinators, and other wildlife while we are at it. Our gardens are increasingly becoming oases and it is possible to make a material difference, even on a small scale - and keep it beautiful. We will cover the following topics: - bees and plants: how they use...

Gold AWARD

(2)

Wildlife photography weekend

In-person course

Devon

£275

Two days of wildlife photography, over the two days you will get greater opportunities to photograph a much bigger selection of our native species of wildlife in natural surroundings than you can in a one day workshop. Species including Badger, Fox, Mink, Scottish Wildcat, Wild Boar, Otter, Deer, Polecat, Long Eared Owl, Little Owl, Barn Owl, Hedgehog, Harvest Mice, Stoat, Water Vole, Stork, Heck cattle plus many others... You will also have even more access and support from your tutor by joining us for an evening meal at a nearby...

Platinum AWARD

2 day woodland coppicing

In-person course

South Yorkshire - Next course on 1st June 2020

£170

This two day coppicing course is designed to introduce students to the specific skills and techniques covering basic theory, providing hands-on practical experience and a tree identification session. The course begins with an introduction and basic health and safety followed by a walk through the woods looking at various compartments that have been coppiced over the years and the benefits of coppicing and the types of native deciduous woodland trees. Aspects covered on the course include planning the work area, looking at various devices, building work breaks and coppice restoration,...

Platinum AWARD

3 day Introduction to Greenwood Crafts

In-person course

South Yorkshire

£265

This three day course will introduce you to the traditional art of green wood craft. Green Wood is freshly felled, still sappy wood. To work it requires a set of simple techniques based on an understanding of how wood reacts – both to the tools, and to the dry and shrinking process. Because it is green, the wood is soft and easy to work with hand tools, and because of this, green woodwork creates little waste, and can utilise small trees and logs. It is therefore green in all senses...

Platinum AWARD

(1)

Bark basketry

In-person course

South Yorkshire - Next course on 1st June 2020

£95

On the one day course you will be shown how to make cord from Elm bark bast. Cut, shape, fold and stitch Elm bark to make an attractive rustic container/pot. Please note you need some level of manual dexterity in your fingers. Please let us know if you have any specific requirements or needs. Please email for T&C'S. All courses are for 18 years and above.

Platinum AWARD

Family Greenwood Crafts (11-16yrs) at Ecclesall Woods

In-person course

South Yorkshire - Next course on 1st June 2020

£55

This 2.5 hour course will introduce your child to using traditional green woodworking tools and techniques. They will make 1 or 2 seasonally themed items using a range of hand tools which may include shave horse, draw knife, drills, drill bits, saws and mallets. Adults must accompany their child and are there to support them as they work if needed. Children must be within the age limits and must behave responsibly in the workshop environment. Please make us aware of any needs you or your child may have so we...