Traditional woodland crafts and green woodworking courses, craft kits and handcrafted gifts

You may also be interested in: Animal husbandry and small holding skills | Art: driftwood and beach combing | Bushcraft and forest school | Coppicing and woodland management | Garden design and maintenance | Gardening | Gardening: pruning and orchard management | Heritage crafts | Outdoors and rural skills | Timber framing | Traditional building skills and conservation | Wildlife and nature conservation | Willow weaving

Traditional woodland craft courses (we also include green woodworking and greenwood crafts in this section) are increasing in the UK. Traditional woodland craft can also be known as ‘woodmanship’ and means working with trees, forests and tools in a way that communities going back thousands of years would recognise. These wood-loving ancestors of ours may have been the first true conservationists, working their resources in a way that was renewable and sustainable, not only preserving trees, but enhancing the richness of the surrounding wildlife. Traditional craft and green wood workshops in this section will generally involve woodwork without the use of nails and screws - and with a focus on hand tools. Think rustic!

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Log to stool with Gedwood

Log to stool with Gedwood

In-person course

Moray - Next course on 19th March 2022

Set in the stunning rolling hills of Speyside at the very heart of malt whisky country in the scottish highlands. No previous skills required for this fun and creative workshop, in making a rustic stool from a log to take back with you and proudly display in your home. You will be shown how to cleave, trim and shave the stool legs on the shave horse. Form tenons on the stool legs with a tenon cutter and draw knife. Then shape the slab for the seat of the stool, drill...

Set in the stunning rolling hills of Speyside at the very heart of malt whisky country in the scottish highlands. No previous skills required for this fun and creative workshop,...

Introduction to green woodwork course at Sallerton Wood

Introduction to green woodwork course at Sallerton Wood

In-person course

Devon - Next course on 24th April 2022

These 1-day courses in green woodworking cover the properties of green wood, cleaving techniques and production of simple craft objects created from a greenwood log using traditional hand tools such as draw-knives and pole lathes. Anything you make during the day will be yours to take home and may include items such as spoons, spatulas, rolling-pin or a wooden mallet. This course is most suited to anyone wishing to have a go at some green woodwork, with absolutely no previous knowledge or skills required. This is a great taster day...

These 1-day courses in green woodworking cover the properties of green wood, cleaving techniques and production of simple craft objects created from a greenwood log using traditional hand tools such...

Wood carving course at Chillington Hall

Wood carving course at Chillington Hall

In-person course

Staffordshire - Next course on 26th March 2022

A two day, wood carving course. On this practical, hands-on course you will use traditional wood carving and hand tool skills to carve a relief in lime wood. No previous experience is required; you will be able to work at your own pace on a range of potential projects suitable for different experience levels. Stage by stage instructions and demonstrations will guide you through every element of the process towards a high quality finished carving. All tools, materials and equipment are provided. Geraint Lloyd the tutor has 25 years of...

A two day, wood carving course. On this practical, hands-on course you will use traditional wood carving and hand tool skills to carve a relief in lime wood. No previous...

Beginner’s bowl carving

Beginner’s bowl carving

In-person course

Norfolk - Next course on 19th February 2022

Have you dabbled with greenwood spoon carving and are keen to take your skills to the next level? Then this might be the course for you! New for 2021, we are offering a limited number of residential weekend courses in greenwood bowl carving for up to three people at our workshop based in a sleepy village in the Norfolk-Suffolk border. We will teach you how to make a simple Kuksa bowl similar to those that are made by the Sámi nomads in Finland. We will take you from basic wood...

Have you dabbled with greenwood spoon carving and are keen to take your skills to the next level? Then this might be the course for you! New for 2021, we...

Green-wood stool making weekend in Sussex woodland

Green-wood stool making weekend in Sussex woodland

In-person course

East Sussex - Next course on 17th March 2022

Spend two days in a beautiful Sussex woodland, using locally grown hardwood to make yourself a beautiful finished product that you can cherish for life. Starting with a simple log, you chop, cut and whittle your way towards your own hand-made piece of furniture. The tools and techniques used are all traditional; handed down from craftsmen to craftsmen, with little changed over the generations. Using simple hand tools avoids the noise, dust and danger of modern carpentry techniques, and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the tranquillity of this...

Spend two days in a beautiful Sussex woodland, using locally grown hardwood to make yourself a beautiful finished product that you can cherish for life. Starting with a simple log,...

Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

In-person course

Devon - Next course on 24th February 2022

A two day course learning the skills and techniques of green woodworking, with an emphasis on contemporary design and detailing. Maximum of 6 students. You will make either a low stool or a side table using a variety of edge tools. Starting with a fresh cut log you will learn how to cleave the wood with a froe and wedges, then shape it on the shaving horse with drawknife and spokeshave. Joints used will be through-wedged-tenons. Use of contrasting timbers, and sculpted free-form table tops or seats are all available...

A two day course learning the skills and techniques of green woodworking, with an emphasis on contemporary design and detailing. Maximum of 6 students. You will make either a low...

Alien spoon carving

Alien spoon carving

In-person course

Edinburgh - Next course on 22nd January 2022

I am open to new bookings and rescheduling previously booked courses now. Courses will be following the current virus guidelines as much as possible and groups will be even smaller - often 1-2-1 and groups from the same household, people that have booked together, etc. Alien spoons? Well, only because it is a memorable name and some of the knife grasps feel a bit alien to start with. You will soon get to grips with them and the focus of this workshop is learning to use safe and efficient carving...

I am open to new bookings and rescheduling previously booked courses now. Courses will be following the current virus guidelines as much as possible and groups will be even smaller...

Green wood chair making - 6 day woodworking course in Devon

Green wood chair making - 6 day woodworking course in Devon

In-person course

Devon - Next course on 4th April 2022

Starting with an unseasoned log you will learn how to create a beautiful and unique chair which will last for generations. This is one of the most satisfying green wood projects and the course is suitable for complete beginners and experienced woodworkers alike. The "post and rung" construction uses the natural properties of green wood to produce incredibly strong, glue-free joints. During the course you will learn to split wood accurately, and shape it using draw knife and spoke shaves. Using the unique qualities of unseasoned wood and following a...

Starting with an unseasoned log you will learn how to create a beautiful and unique chair which will last for generations. This is one of the most satisfying green wood...

Spoon carving for beginners - morning

Spoon carving for beginners - morning

In-person course

London - Next course on 11th December 2021

This regular class in spoon carving introduces you to the art of carving with an axe, a knife and a crook knife. By carving a spoon, you can focus on becoming familiar with the tools of the craft without the pressure of knowing what to carve. As you gain confidence with the tools, you begin to build a relationship with your small scale carving and understand the subtle and addictive qualities of this new hobby. We will use green wood, freshly cut with a high moisture content. This is a...

This regular class in spoon carving introduces you to the art of carving with an axe, a knife and a crook knife. By carving a spoon, you can focus on...

Introduction to spooncarving at Hill End

Introduction to spooncarving at Hill End

In-person course

Oxfordshire - Next course on 26th March 2022

Carving a wooden spoon from a simple piece of freshly cut tree branch is a deeply satisfying experience. Green wood is very yielding and all of your senses are stimulated, from the smell of fresh wood shavings being carved away to the texture and feel of the bowl and handle as they emerge from the spoon blank. Using just three tools, an axe, a knife and a hook knife, we will spend the day carving our own spoons. We’ll start by cleaving a length of branch wood in two, deciding...

Carving a wooden spoon from a simple piece of freshly cut tree branch is a deeply satisfying experience. Green wood is very yielding and all of your senses are stimulated,...

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