What’s it about?
Over the years our 2 day bushcraft course has proven to be our most popular bushcraft course by some way. We run the course throughout the year and it’s never quite the same from one to the next due the the changing seasons and variable weather conditions. And of course different people on the course bringing their own experiences and unique personalities!
The course has been carefully designed to provide you with a solid grounding in the skills and knowledge of bushcraft, survival and woodland living and is suitable for anyone to attend, whether you have previous experience or not.
This 2 day bushcraft course is intended for people who would like to understand what bushcraft is all about and to learn simple, repeatable bushcraft and survival skills, including campers, backpackers, hikers and other outdoors people who wish to learn some of the skills required to be comfortable in the outdoors, so that you have the time to really enjoy what’s around you.
Or it could be that you’re just curious about bushcraft and want to find out a bit more. If that’s you, then this is the right course.
Lots of the people who attend this course have no previous bushcraft experience, although we also have people with some prior experience along, and we can say with absolute honesty that everyone leaves knowing more than when they arrived! Many of the skills that you’ll be taught are easily transferable to other outdoor activities.
What will I do on this 2 day bushcraft course?
You won’t learn bushcraft by watching us so this course, along with all of our others, is entirely hands on. We’ll explain, then demonstrate and then it’s down to you. And we won’t move on until you’re ready to.
On our 2 day bushcraft course, based at our ancient woodland camp on the Kent Downs, we will introduce you to the foundations of bushcraft – food, fire, water and shelter, although we’ll start off with the safe use of bushcraft tools. Over the 2 days you will be shown, and get plenty of opportunity to practice:
- Learn how to safely use essential bushcraft tools including knife, folding saw and bow saw,
- Have plenty of practise creating a flame using matches, fire steels, fire pistons, wire wool & a battery, solar mirrors, flint & steel and chemicals,
- Carve your own honey spreader or spatula from materials you gather in our ancient woodland,
- Understand the pros and cons of debris shelters, where & how to build one,
- Put up a tarp and hammock using only 3 simple knots that can be tied and untied wearing gloves (you can sleep in a hammock if you like),
- Find, filter and purify your own water,
- Go for a woodland walk to gain an insight into some of the trees and plants around us and what they can be used for,
- Learn how to sharpen a knife so that it will slice through a sheet of paper,
- Locate and identify different natural tinders easily found in the woods,
- Gather your own materials and light a fire following a method that will work in all weather conditions.
At the end of our 2 day bushcraft course you will have a good working knowledge of the skills needed to enjoy your time in the woods or enhance your camping or outdoor activities.
Book now
You can see our complete course schedule here.
Other information
Location: Westwell, Kent
Duration: 2 days
Start: 6pm Friday
End: 4pm Sunday
Course size: Maximum of 8
Catering: We’ll provide tea & coffee, breakfast and dinner but you’ll need to bring a packed lunch
Note: There is a short walk from the meeting point to the camp. We’ll transport your bags in our 4×4
You might also find these Frequently Asked Questions useful.
What our customers say
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I highly recommend this experience! I had a fantastic time on the two-day bushcraft course. We camped, made fires, whittled, foraged, and learned knots and survival tips with a wonderful group of like-minded people. Gary is a true bushcraft expert, and we learned so much from him over the weekend. If you enjoy bushcraft, you’ll love these courses.
Brilliant 2 day course, extremely informative I felt that I learnt a lot over the weekend. The course is run in a very relaxed and friendly way and I really enjoyed myself. I would recommend this course to people of all ages, 10/10.
Jack Raven is an incredibly detailed and relaxing way to learn bushcraft in an idyllic setting. Gary is an extremely knowledgeable teacher, who gave us time to ask questions and repeat tricky knots. The setting is beautiful and well-equipped (especially if you forget a bowl and plate!). I'm already excited to book a future course and learn more about bushcraft as a practical and fundamental craft. A special mention to Nicola for the wonderful food, and Peter for keeping us all in check and sharing additional knowledge! Thank you again for a wonderful weekend!
Birthday present from my son Duncan, who also came with me on the Bush Craft experience. Greeted by two fantastic people (Gary and Nicola) and met our other team members for the start of a fantastic week end in Kent. The team got on immediately and we had a meal cooked by Nicola. We then put our tents up and prepared for the evening lesson which was preparing Nettles for string making.
Next morning we were taught in a lovely style no rushing with the information that was presented to us. Had a walk in the forest and Gary explained lots of usefull information on the trees and our habitat. Back to camp for coffee. We had already learnt how to cut a stick in half the top half was made into a tent peg with the bottom half made into a wedge for when your knife got stuck. We were shown how to set a trap for catching dinner.
Fortunately Nicola had already prepared another fantastic meal for us Saturday evening. Everyone commented that the day had just whizzed past. I forgot to mention the title of the trap making was L7 configuration.
There was a lot of knot making going on during the evening with us all practising the knots necessary for when we put up the tarpaulin shelter.
That completed I then slept under one of the shelters Saturday evening.
Got up Sunday morning for our fire lighting task having been shown by Gary how to complete this. Peter then showed us how to maintain the edge on our knives and we where able to cut through waterproof paper which Peter provided.
I almost for got about the nettles which we turned into strings for a Bow Drill Fire lighting.
We sadly had to pack all our gear away and make our way back to our vehicles at 16:00 Sunday.
Both Duncan and I were sad to be going home as we had a fantastic time with Gary, Nicola and Peter.
A definite must do again weekend. Waiting to hear about others weekends away for more learning of new skills.
I had an amazing weekend learning a large variety of skills with Gary and Nicola. The course was well run, with a small group size so everyone was able to get stuck in and learn. The food provided was excellent, thanks Nicola!
It was a great introduction to bushcraft for anyone looking to get started or get back into the hobby. The skills taught were explained really well, with plenty of time to practice together.
I will certainly be back for some other courses when time allows. Thank you!
