Monthly Archives: March 2015


Hammock modifications

We first met Peter last summer on our 5 Day Bushcraft Course and he’s been back a few times now, on other courses as well as helping out with some coppicing over the winter.  The last time he came to our woodland camp he brought a hammock with him.  Peter works in a school and […]

Hammock modifications

Trees cleared

Felling trees in the camp

I don’t like felling trees at our ancient woodland camp, after all we provide woodland experiences, but from time to time we need to cut trees down if they appear to be hazardous.  Back in the autumn I turned up to find a large branch through the tarp over our kitchen area.  It was dead […]


How to light a fire 1

Being able to light a fire is a key bushcraft skill.  It’s something you want to be able to do without thinking, almost on autopilot.  And because I want to be able light a fire without thinking, I do things the same way every time.  Then if I should ever find myself in a tricky situation, […]

First course of 2014 | bushcraft | south east

st john's wort

St John’s Wort 1

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) St John’s Wort is a name that is often applied to all members of the genus Hypericum.  Here we confine ourselves to common, or perforated, St John’s Wort.  We find it growing freely in south facing hedgerows near to our ancient woodland camp.  It’s a tall, thin plant with bright, 5 […]


Self heal 1

Self heal (Prunella vulgaris) Self heal is a member of the dead nettles and has the familiar square stem.  It seems to favour some sun and grows abundantly in the fields surrounding our woodland camp. It’s an edible plant containing vitamins A, C and K, and can be eaten raw in a salad or used to […]

self heal

woodland herbal teas | ground ivy

Ground ivy

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Ground ivy has the typical square stem of the dead nettle family.  We find it both within the woodland and in some of the surrounding fields, so it seems to tolerate both shade and sun.  And mostly we find it creeping along the ground, but sometimes growing more upright. It’s also known as ‘ale […]