Explore The Great Outdoors. reviews

Sheren reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"Japanese style chopping board course was a excellent opportunity to learn new skills. Pete and Jacqui were brilliant hosts, taking time with each student to ensure they understood how to make the boards and how to work safely. Amazing the quality of the boards a complete novice can take home, definitely recommend this day. "

Stu reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"Pet & Jacqui are an encouraging, helpful couple who made me feel confident despite my lack of experience to go ahead and truly make a chopping board I am proud of. I can't recommend them enough! "

Mike Harrington reviewed: Make Your Own Flat Pack Shave Horse

"We had a really lovely day in a great setting and were very grateful for the help and wisdom offered to build our wood shave horse. You have a lot of different courses so we will be back. Many thanks"

Mark reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"I really enjoy every aspect of the day. The course leaders are skilled and interesting people, other participants were great company and my Japanese chopping board was pretty good (if I say it myself)."

Explore The Great Outdoors. responded:

"Thank you for your kind words.. Yes you did a really good job., Well Done."

Nick Pearson reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"I absolutely loved this course creating a Japanese chopping board with Jacqui and Pete. They were so lovely and supportive, and shared their expertise so well. Thank you."

Steve Mortimer reviewed: Charcoal & Biochar Making Course - Warminster Wiltshire

"Once again a great course, I did this course last year but came back with my son in law to learn some more about the art of making charcoal. Once again Peter was a mine of information and put across in a relaxed way in great surroundings. I can highly recommend this course."

Explore The Great Outdoors. responded:

"Thank you very much for your kind words. And thank you for choosing us."

Simon reviewed: Green Wood Rustic Stick Chair

"A beautifully paced day of creative exploration and making. Pete and Jacqui were knowledgeable, passionate, welcoming and encouraging. Like with all good creative training days there were some structured, boundaried bits, laying down foundations onto which we could (and were encouraged to) express our own ways of working. Would definitely recommend. "

Fay reviewed: Green Wood Rustic Stick Chair

"Brilliant day … Jacqi was a patient and encouraging teacher … 2 pupils to 1 teacher … Everything made it possible for me to produce a great chair … very happy"

Explore The Great Outdoors. responded:

"Really pleased to hear you enjoyed your day. Thank you for your kind words."

Mike reviewed: Green Wood Rustic Stick Chair

"Lovely day spent with Pete and Jacqui. Great excuse to step off the treadmill for a while - the rustic throne is a bonus!"

Mark Morrison reviewed: Green Wood Rustic Stick Chair

"Pete and Jacqui were fantastic hosts who gave as much help as required whether with design, ideas or building. So welcoming, would happily just sit and chat to them for the day. Really fulfilling course, great stress reliever and fantastic chair to show for it!"

Neil reviewed: Green Wood Rustic Stick Chair

"Two great instructors to three students. Very knowledgeable and very personable. Incredible VFM."

Rob Johnson reviewed: Shave horse, English style, making course

"Excellent course in a fabulous setting. Pete & Jaqui are just great, as were the other two students, so the banter was excellent as the group really gelled. Instruction and assistance from Pete and Jaqui as & when you needed it, but quite willing to let you get on with it and help each other. As a tradesman I found all the processes quite straight forward, however if you have not used saws etc. before then it could be a little challenging. The pole lathe was something else....a fab piece of kit that will test the stamina of your leg lol. Using the shavehorse to make a shavehorse was also a great new experience, and I have a really nice example to bring home. Thank you Jaqui & Pete. A truly fabulous couple of days."

Carolyn Shears reviewed: Green Wood Rustic Stick Chair

"Excellent day spent building a chair to take home. All equipment provided, great tuition and help from the course organisers. Very relaxing and not rushed, time to really enjoy the experience."

Ben Leppier reviewed: Charcoal & Biochar Making Course - Warminster Wiltshire

"Course was brilliant, both Jackie and Peter knew SO much to help you really get into this if its for you and help you see more options if its not. Their set up in the forest is magnificent, they can teach everyone a LOT about how to care. If you are unsure - just Do the course, you will not be disappointed. Make sure you take lots of questions for Peter :-)"

Alison Redman reviewed: Shave horse, English style, making course

"We thoroughly enjoyed our two day course in a beautiful woodland setting. With a small number of participants, there was plenty of help to hand from Jaqui and Pete. There was also as much tea/coffee as we wanted. Shaping pieces of wood using a shave horse and pole lathe was totally absorbing and satisfying. We came home with two lovely traditional shave horses, new skills and a taste to do more."

Doug reviewed: Traditional Garden Plant Support Structure - Afternoon

"A very good Safe learning environment.Immediately felt at ease. My wife and I enjoyed learning how to make obelisks and where very pleased to take home the completed items. Look forward to coming back. Best Regards Doug & Linda"

Glen Upward reviewed: Shrink Pot Making Course

"This was an exceptional course on making shrink pots. A stunning location, a warm welcome, and a day full of craft, cakes, and coffee. Jacqui and Pete made me feel welcome and shared the extensive knowledge of wood carving. Strongly recommended to anyone who wants to explore the subject, or just wants to try something different. Very relaxing and rewarding, and can't wait to the next course. A big thank you to Jacqui and Pete for a wonderful day"

Keith Sloan reviewed: Make a Swallowtail Hay Rake - one day green woodworking course

"Great day and very pleased with the knowledge gained. Useful rake."

Mark Humphries reviewed: Bushcraft and survival skills course

"Had a great day in the woods with you!!"

Adam Clarke reviewed: Spoon Carving the Scandinavian Way - Introduction

"Fantastic day, lovely people, really knowledgeable and friendly instruction and simply perfect location. This was more than you could write to describe the course and how enjoyable the whole experience was. Much more practice needed to produce a great spoon but the instruction and what we took away from the day was such that we'll keep trying and have confidence that we will achieve something we're proud of! Thanks so much to Jacqui and Pete :)"

Helen Jacobs reviewed: Make a Swallowtail Hay Rake - one day green woodworking course

"This is a fantastic course! I cannot recommend it highly enough. I was not expecting to come away from a day in the woods quite so full of joy, energised, full of life and thrilled with what I had made. It was, I think, a wellbeing day as much as a green woodworking day. I had no experience at all with green woodworking, and now can't wait to do some more! The tutors were highly skilled, gentle and encouraging, and very kind hosts. The opportunity to use so many different tools was much appreciated. I would say that it probably helps being a tool-user already, since you use your arm muscles a lot through the day. Thank you Peter and Jacqui for a wonderful day, the delicious soup and all that you are doing to further woodland craft and care."

Simon Hopkins reviewed: Make a Swallowtail Hay Rake - one day green woodworking course

"What a great time we had in the woods! Although I have some experience of greenwood working, the opportunity to learn from people (the excellent Peter and Jaquie) who knew what they were doing, knew how to teach, had their own piece of woodland and stacks of excellent tools (that were very sharp - ;-) Peter, that’s brilliant. Introduction, coffee or tea and biscuits free-flowing with the wonderful soup lunch,all heated and prepared. There in the woodlands felt great. This is an excellent course for somebody who wants to practice green woodworking, learn green wood working, Needs a break or needs to get away from the hustle and bustle and demands of modern lifestyle. Thanks again all, and I hope to see you all again soon. Simon"

Patricia Gordon reviewed: Shrink Pot Making Course

"What a wonderful day making our shrink pots! Jacqui and Pete are fantastic hosts, and experienced trainers. The workshop can be found on their wood Nr Warminster. They take you through step by step and share in your excitement as you manage to gain skills in the different techniques used in the process of shrink pot making. The group of participants share in each other’s success and there is a real sense of camaraderie. Then you proudly take home your finished pot. Jacqui’s home made soup and fresh bread, and cups of tea and coffee and biscuits throughout the day ensures that all students remain refreshed. This is the second course my husband and I have undertaken with Jacqui and Pete and we would highly recommend them. Thank you for a fantastic day."

martin hedges reviewed: Make a Swallowtail Hay Rake - one day green woodworking course

"What a brilliant course I would never believe I could learn so much in one day and all in such a beautiful location. Peter & Jacqui were perfect hosts and their enthusiasm was infectious, the whole day was a pleasure. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone."

Carol Durrant reviewed: Bushcraft and survival skills course

"Peter & Jackie welcomed the group into their lovely woods that were just beginning to burst into a bluebell carpet. I enjoyed the shelter building, water purification, cordage and navigation sessions and the fire lighting segment was particularly fun, instructive and even, at times, theatrical! Many thanks to "Explore The Great Outdoors" for a relaxing and informative day amongst the trees."