A skills packed weekend workshop teaching you how to craft
your own primitive bow from native wood.

You will be using time saving modern hand tools, which evolved from the
primitive sharp edged flint tools of our ancestors and will help you
complete your bow over the weekend.

Open to adults only.

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL

For Adult Woodland Camp Crafts click here

Sessions arranged at a location, date and time to suit you!

To see photographs of an event, please click here

LOCATIONS

DINGESTOW, NEAR MONMOUTH, MONMOUTHSHIRE 
There are few places so conveniently placed, with close access to main A routes to M50, M5 and M4 motorways, that have scenery to simply take your breath away.  This beautiful Organic farm, with views across to the Black Mountains, rolling hills, woodland and flower strewn hay meadows is such a place.  Wildlife enjoys a wide variety of habitats here, with plenty of hedgerows to offer cover between woodland and grassland areas.  There really is something extra special about this fascinating and varied stretch of countryside.  It is thanks to the farm's Organic status and the careful management by its owners that this wonderful countryside and the flora and fauna that thrive within it are here for us to enjoy.  Why not order an Organic sheepskin or some Organic meat to collect after your activity?  To take a closer look at the farm, click on "Yule Organic" on the links page.

MORETON IN MARSH, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
A hidden gem, not far from Moreton in Marsh, this large SSSI woodland is enjoyed by a select few and offers a unique opportunity to really immerse yourself in bushcraft in this purely woodland environment.  Home to rich diversity of flora and fauna, this woodland also plays host to  rare orchids and the Wood White butterfly, all thanks to the careful management and dedication of the landowner.  The broad selection of trees and plants provide a haven for nature and great opportunities for bushcraft and nature activities.  Easily accessible via main routes, including a train station at Moreton in Marsh, but offering complete seclusion in the heart of this wonderful woodland. 

CIRENCESTER, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
This is a lovely setting on a large Organic South Cotswolds farm, offering great diversity because of its Organic status and the careful management of the land owner.  Easily accessible from, though not disturbed by, M5 and M4 motorways via the A417 dual carriageway and also via the main Fosse Way A429. The site is blessed with diverse flora and fauna in its woodland and pastureland environments.  Not only is the farm beautiful and diverse in its landscape and nature, but there is also an award winning Organic Cafe and fantastically well stocked shop.  To take a closer look at the farm, click on "The Organic Farm Shop" on the links page.

ANY OTHER SUITABLE LOCATION OF YOUR CHOICE
Perhaps you know the owner of a local woodland or have access to an area used by Scout or Guide Groups?  Or we can offer this course in any suitable outdoor space, preferably with the option of either hanging a parachute shelter from some trees or using an indoor workshop, garage or barn.  Subject to suitability, we can run our bushcraft and nature awareness activities at any location to suit you. The costs outlined above will give you a guide, but may increase slightly dependent upon the time and distance we need to travel to reach your location. Please enquire. 

WHAT A GREAT IDEA FOR A PRESENT OR ALCOHOL FREE STAG OR HEN WEEKEND!

DURATION

2 nights and 2 days - arrive 6.00pm onwards Friday evening and leave around 5pm Sunday afternoon.

Please arrive 15 minutes before your activity is due to begin.

Maximum Number of Students

10

Course content

This is an intensive skills packed course guiding you through the art of making a primitive bow. You will start with a rough stave of Ash and use modern hand tools to produce your own primitive bow to take home with you. We will be crafting bows along the lines of the well known archaeological find the Meare Heath Bow, although this was actually made from yew. This bow, and therefore its design, has been dated to Neolithic times, around 2,500BC, We will then turn our attention to the arrow - material, fletching and nocking.

This really is a great bushcraft skill to learn and can prove a great past time, as well as being a truly wild connection to our ancestors.

1. Brief bow history.
2. Principles of bow design.
3. Safe and effective tool use - axes; draw knives; spoke shaves; planes and cabinet scrappers.
4. Shaping your bow.
5. Tillering.
6. Nocking and Stringing.
7. Natural feather fletching and nocking your own arrow (ready made shaft).
8. Principles of crafting an arrow shaft from scratch.
9. Long term care of your bow.
10. Shooting your bow - if time permits.

 We are pleased to have Martyn Huxter as a Guest Instructor on this course who is a master wood craftsman with an in depth knowledge of the properties and crafting of wood, as well as being a seasoned bowyer.  He is a font of knowledge on his beloved subject of wood and a natural teacher, as well as holding a further education teaching qualification. 

Instruction and work on your bow will take place both during the day and in the evening after supper.  Although our intention and hope is that everyone will have a completed working bow by the end of the weekend, you may need to do some finishing off at home.

You will need to bring your own food and drinks (no alcohol), although cold or hot water will be available at all times.  Cooking facilities will be available over the fire, with a large pan of boiling water for boil in the bag food (such as Wayfarers or Army rations).  If you wish to cook other food, you will also need to bring a suitable campfire pan/billy can (small please) or bring your own pan/billy can with a small gas stove and canister.  We will provide washing up facilities, but you will need to bring your own drying up cloth. 

Although this course is offered with camping, you have the option to go home overnight or stay at a local B&B (at your own expense) if you prefer.  As instruction will continue into the evening, we recommend using an establishment as close to the activity location as possible.  If you would like help finding a suitable B&B we will do what we can to assist.

You have the option to bring your own hammock/tarp/bivy system or just a bivy bag to sleep in on the woodland floor, or you can sleep in the group Tentipi - please reserve your place(s) when booking.  We also have a limited number of hammock, tarp, bivy bag and camping mat systems available for hire for a nominal £5 charge - please enquire about availability and reserve when booking.  You will need your own sleeping bag.

As with all of our courses the activities take place in the outdoors, although we do erect a shelter.

BOOKING & PAYMENT