Galleries & Testimonials
Galleries
Galleries
| Trailbreaker | Native | Tracker | Whittling |
| Woodlander | Spring Forager | Hide Tanning | Nomad |
| Plantlore | Instructor | Bowyer | Location |
Testimonials
Great food!!! Pretty much as much all you can eat every breakfast,
lunch and dinner. The cooked dinners were done to a high standard unless
that was just the outdoors making it taste better; every lunch had a
great spread every day with a variety of sandwich fillings and sauces. Steven Carev, Bowyer Course, 2011.
I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thanks again for such a fantastic weekend on the Bowyer course. Although I was really looking forward to it beforehand, with it being my first ever course I was a bit apprehensive of whether I would be out of my depth, but you John and Jud made me feel at ease and everyone had a brilliant time whilst becoming one of the few who can now fashion a bow by hand. I’ve really got the bug and just want to learn more and more – axe skills, carving, plantlore, tracking...Michael Arnot, Bowyer Course, 2011
Another fantastic week of learning and improving new skills – there were so many new projects to be getting on with, it was very inspiring! Instructors were very professional but relaxed at the same time and really brought the subject matter to life. They always have time for a chat or to help you out, even if you have a query that’s not course-related. It was great to spend another week in the woods with such fantastic people! I always feel relaxed and included, and able to voice my opinion in an understanding environment. I will, of course, be back over the next few years to do as many courses as I can afford!! It is so nice to find a happy place to be J, Lizzie, Native, 2010
The remote and beautiful woodland setting for the Woodlanders course together with the high quality of the programme and tuition made this a unique and enjoyable experience, with a good balance of challenge and a positive group morale, supported by a good humoured and skilled team of facilitators. The wide range of expertise and friendly approach of the team of trainers was exceptional. Thank-you all for a really exceptional week. I learned a huge amount of new skills and practical information that will be with me for life. Rick, Woodlander 2010
I’ve just returned from the weekend Trailbreaker course and I’d like to record my gratitude for the event. It was great. All the leaders were highly professional and approachable. The way in which they handled the group was challenging yet sympathetic to individual needs. I was impressed with the “green” approach to the event. Impact was reduced to a minimum and food was thoughtfully sourced and presented. The more we can do to help people understand and really experience their National Park the better – so well done to you all! Chris Berry, Lake District National Park Authority, Trailbreaker 2010
Thoroughly enjoyed the course and the company. This was in no small part due to the culture of the group which allowed us all to learn at our own pace and though there was a fair bit of friendly rivalry at times the overall feel was of co-operation rather than competition and no one was made to feel ‘less than’ any others if they didn’t mange to satisfactorily complete any of the projects. The whole week was packed full of information and opportunities to try out all we learned. I doubt whether there is any way any more could have been packed in! We also had ample opportunity to follow up on any of our particular areas of interest. I think the 3 instructors we had on the course were fantastic. They were approachable, knowledgeable and fun and had complementary specialisms as well as different ways of communicating, so if I didn’t ‘get it’ when first shown something, being shown by a different instructor sometimes helped the penny drop. Each one of them was inspirational, sharing their particular interests and enthusiasms with the group…thank you all! The food was absolutely amazing, Marcus. Thanks! A really memorable experience! I managed to master making cordage, which I have wanted to do for ages; started learning a few skills that still need some work; met loads of great people; and have a huge reading list to follow up on! This is just the beginning …. Joy, Woodlander 2010
Excellent course, the staff were all excellent, Fergus added that extra zest to the course. Marcus was a demon in the kitchen and my son Mathew’s praise of Marcus’ culinary skills from his Junior Course was experienced firsthand, the Carrageen was awesome. Ben and Steve were OK too...;-). As ever you guys were the reason I got back into the outdoors, and that hasn’t changed, looking forward to seeing you all again on future courses (if you’ll have me that is)! John, Spring Forager 2010
Garrett and Alexandra are 2 very special people with such knowledge not only of cold weather travelling but the wildlife, Tracking, Plants, Trees etc. Both wonderful people to just sit and talk to and it is very obvious to all who meet them that they are totally passionate about what they do and the environment that they do it in. Ben, Lisa and willow are also incredible advocates for the art of bushcraft, whose knowledge stretches far and wide across what is a truly infinite subject. Food was great and plenty of it. Was interesting to see how well we were able to eat on such an expedition. It was great to all sit and eat together at the end of a days travel and have a laugh. The instructors spent both time to instruct on various aspects, but also spent time chatting getting to know us as individuals. An incredible experience and one that will not be forgotten!! Greg, Maine Expedition 2010
"Woodsmoke is THE absolute school of bushcraft. Ben & Lisa never stop learning. That’s what I mean true professionalism. After so many years of teaching, these people are dedicated. It’s a pleasure to find people that they know what they are doing these days but never stop searching and learning. No theories, no preaching, no military attitudes. It always impresses me the vast knowledge Ben carries and how easy going he is. All the best, John Varosis" (Wilderness skills instructor, Greece) One-to-One 2009
All the instructors were very knowledgeable and I feel went out of their way to make sure everybody was comfortable and more importantly, happy. The quality of site and the quality of the instruction was excellent – it surpassed my expectations, and I was so glad that the terminology was not ‘dumbed down’ like I expected it to be! It meant everybody felt equal within the group. Lizzie, Woodlander 09
600miles is a long way to travel for two days – well worth it because the instructors were so good and the site was good. it’s a pretty high workload on this course but all four of the instructors were unrushed and went out of their way to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm. Hard to believe how much good basic stuff we covered in such a short time – many thanks to all involved. The balance between practical tuition and the softer stuff on respecting, and enjoying the land was spot on for me. Rob, Trailbreaker 09
The staff were full of obvious enthusiasm and knowledge and clearly loved communicating their passions. I think that their enthusiasm was infectious and they were very patient and understanding with me…Mark, Woodlander 09
I found the woodlander course to be quite demanding but ultimately very rewarding. I've now got a greater appreciation of the natural world and more respect for 'mother nature'. And I can light fires in adverse conditions :-). Everything I wanted to learn about was covered and I found the discussion of fishing very interesting ;-). There was a lot off information to take in on plant ID (it's something I'm going to work on in my own time), but all the instructors were friendly, approachable and very knowledgeable and on hand at all times. Breakfast, Lunch and evening meals were all excellent with plenty of choice. Cake in the evenings was my favourite time of night :-). Steve, Woodlander 09
Good setting. Excellent guidance and lectures. A good spread of content giving an introduction to various aspects of bushcraft. Matt, Steve and Marcus were excellent, well informed and a pleasure to meet. First rate. Clearly Matt and Steve were not only intelligent but also very well informed on their subjects. Got things across well without a trace of patronism. Marcus was also excellent… happy to admit he was still learning but with lots of useful tips. Chris, Woodlander 09
To all the instructors on the Woodsmoke Axe Workshop, thanks very much for a fantastic few days. Thanks to Ben and Lisa for providing such a superb setting - with a little help from Nature and the weather - for generating a convivial and fun atmosphere and for their many hints and tips on all aspects of the course; to Marcus for discreetly helping to make it all work (and a wicked curry); to Steve for sharing his knowledge of roping and felling as well as his unique brand of ‘Pikey Bushcraft’. Thanks especially to Ben Orford, whose boundless enthusiasm was infectious, who used his deep knowledge and craftsmanship to show us what was possible and who was always ready to explain and demonstrate patiently to a complete beginner how to handle the tools and materials. He was an inspiring teacher. Our finished products may not have all been perfect, but it was deeply satisfying to have made them. We all learned a lot and I am sure that everyone on the course felt they had had a great time and a fulfilling experience.
All the best, Steven, Axe Workshop 09
First of all, thanks for a great weekend. It was a pleasure to meet you all in such a relaxed atmosphere (unlike some providers!) and learn so much. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff, and they were all very helpful indeed. All of the instructors were approachable, very helpful and always up for a laugh. Nothing was too much trouble for any of them. They weren’t aloof, spent time with the students and were willing to answer questions on any subject. The tutors were always on hand to help and were very visible throughout the days and nights. The chicken curry was excellent!!! There was always plenty of food at meal times... it’s official the course makes your clothes shrink!!!! Thanks very much for a very enlightening course that has wetted my appetite to do more courses with Woodsmoke. Cheers!!! Mike, Plantlore 2009
I have just attended the Expedition Medical course at Eastnor Castle and would like to pass on my thanks for all your hard work. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. I've always felt I had an affinity with the natural world, and longed to get more involved but didn't know how to go about it properly. The first 2-days of bushcraft instruction and the staying in the camp has inspired me to go on and learn as much as I can, so I'll see you both again soon.
Kindest regards Tim, Expedition Skills Training 2009
A really interesting and varied course content, delivered by a range of interesting characters, with plenty of humour and lots and lots of fantastic wind and rain (every gust and drop adds to the fun). Really enjoyed the different styles of the instructors – Ben (GRRR), Lisa (AHHH), Willow (GRRR / AHHH) mix it all up very well, and I got a lot from talking to Marcus in between the formal instruction. It all sank in, so the tuition was clearly effective and the general tone was right in my opinion – not too military but not too ‘band-camp’. The instructors volunteered advice without being intrusive or irritating and were perfectly approachable for anyone who had any questions of their own during the downtime. My decision to go on the course was pretty random at the outset, mostly based on the idea that I like the outdoors and this should help me enjoy it and appreciate it even more. How clever I was! Going on the course has opened up a whole new set of avenues of interest for me, and really stands out as a highlight even in a 3 month period of doing some interesting stuff away from work. I normally try to be pretty cool and unconcerned about certificates in general, but I must admit I was properly delighted by being given good marks, so the course was clearly meaningful to me!…a great way for anyone who has an interest in the outdoors to achieve further enlightenment. A priceless experience – you can’t beat that for value for money! Chris, Woodlander 09
The course was fantastic, really interesting and certainly lots of fun. I particularly want to point out that one thing that made this course so special is that it never felt we had "external lecturers" who just came, delivered their course and left. The fact that all the instructors managed to camp with us most or at least part of the time, made the whole thing quite unique. It really felt like one very comprehensive course, rather than 3 unconnected ones. Lara, Expedition Skills training 2009
A combination of craftsmanship, friluftliv, survival, cooking etc is the best I know and you have combined the various traditions in a very good way. For me, this kind of courses is about survival in a broad sense. By living as we did tie us closer links with nature. We understand it better and hopefully we can take care of it in a better way. It is so important that we get these kinds of experiences. We learn more about ourselves, others and nature. One can only hope that in future we may be a strengthening of outdoor education. You contribute in each case to it! Excuse my English, hope to see you again soon! Ingemar (Sweden), Native 09
Everyone was excellent: knowledgeable, approachable, welcoming and supportive. The course was a great mix of the experience of living in natural shelters for the week along with learning a variety of craft activities each day. James, Native 09
Bushcraft is something I have been fascinated with for ages. Having made the decision to stop watching it on the telly and experience it first-hand. I must admit that I arrived with some trepidation - assuming I would be the only female. However, not only was this not the case, it would not have mattered one jot once I met everyone else on the course. Thank you very much for such a comprehensive introduction to such a vast subject – a great mixture of theory and practical, and enough for me to try some stuff myself at home with confidence. The instructors’ knowledge was excellent but also with their ability to share this with the group in digestible, easy to manage chunks…Thank you! Rachel, Trailbreaker 09
I wanted to say thanks again for the course. It's been one of the outstanding highlights of my year, and perhaps a turning point in life. I've been walking the streets here in Oz picking up random bits of tree to see if they carve nicely! David, Australia, Woodlander 09
Hey guys. Thanks for the awesome time!!! It was epic. I'm in Tonga at the moment, and should be going to Syria in three weeks. Brilliant course! Natalie, Expedition skills Training 09
Many, many thanks for giving Oliver a great experience last week, he had a fabulous time and has talked non-stop about it! Last night he prepared rainbow trout and cooked them over a fire - and we have lived to tell the tale! Next is rabbit pie. Please could you thank all of your team and I hope you have a great summer. Paula (parent) Junior Woodlander 2009
A big thank-you to the whole team – your passion for your subject came across – and sparked a fire! It has been truly inspiring and I am impressed by your knowledge and how you all broke it down into accessible bits…thanks also for always being approachable! Thank you Marcus, for keeping us warm with wholesome food – without it the conditions would have been much harder to endure – you helped us keep morale up! Also for your practical help and introduction to plant families, what a revelation – the recommended book is on order.
Just completed the Tanning course, excellent, learnt so much from a thoroughly professional team. Ben taught me Fundamentals 7 years ago and it was great to finally do a Woodsmoke course. Willow and Steve were professional, knowledgeable and friendly. I've spent 15 years teaching Instructors and Instructor Trainers and your team have that rare quality of really knowing their subject and being able to convey it to those willing to learn. Thank you! Phil, Hide Tanning course 2009
I was a complete novice. You were so supportive encouraging and professional that I felt comfortable very quickly. I learnt and experienced so much in a short period even though at times resembling Stan Laurel in my efforts. Since being on the course, I have begun to view my surroundings, plants trees and animals in a different way. The food was great and the instructors encouraging and approachable. I particularly noticed how each of you made great efforts to sit with and talk to each of us. I will definitely be coming back to learn more. I am truly grateful to all of you for making the course so much fun and memorable. Raj, London, Woodlander 09