WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO BRING?A comprehensive list of equipment and clothing for all our UK bushcraft courses can be found by on this page - UK EQUIPMENT LIST
HOW DO I BOOK A BUSHCRAFT COURSE?All the relevant booking information can be found on this page - BOOKING INFORMATION. However, before placing a booking, please take a moment to observe our UK course TERMS & CONDITIONS of booking, particularly for our cancellation policy. We also highly recommend that you seek insurance against the unfortunate event that you should need to cancel your place unexpectedly, missed course bookings are not transferable.
If you have placed a payment deposit for a course, and now wish to pay the remaining balance. Please just go through the same process as your initial payment, only where it says 'deposit', simple select the drop down menu using the little arrow on the right hand side of the 'deposit' box, and then select 'balance', and continue the process.
To buy a Gift Certificate or Course Voucher - Please visit this web page for instructions on how to buy someone a course voucher and download and print your own GIFT CERTIFICATE.
HOW TO GET TO YOUR COURSEA link to detailed set of arrival instructions will be included within the automatic email response when you place your booking using our online booking system, however an overview can be found on this page - UK ARRIVAL DETAILS
Please note: With major works on the Virgin West Coast rail line now complete, we can be reached by rail from London Euston in just over 3 hours on any day of the week.
You can also read more about the location for Woodsmoke's bushcraft courses on our LOCATION PAGE.
CAN I ATTEND FROM OVERSEAS?Many people travel from outside of the UK to attend our courses; often from continental Europe, but also from further afield such as New Zealand and the USA. Providing you have a good grasp of the English language, can understand this website and feel that you will understand detailed verbal information and instruction there is no problem for you to join us for a course. Please be aware that the Lake district can be much colder and wetter during the summer than many continental countries and so please take our kit list very seriously. Click here for OVERSEAS ARRIVAL DETAILS.
WHAT DO OTHERS SAY ABOUT WOODSMOKE COURSES?Bushcraft course testimonials can be be found HERE.
HOW DO I BECOME A WOODSMOKE INSTRUCTOR?
Please follow this link for advice on how to become a bushcraft and survival skills instructor.
WHERE CAN I STAY BEFORE/AFTER MY COURSE?If you are interested in spending some time enjoying the stunning scenery of the Lake District, either before or after your course, you can contact Windermere Tourist Information on 015394 46499, or for campsites and B&B accommodation within walking distance of our course meeting point in Far Sawrey, contact Hawkshead Tourist Information on 015394 36525. You may also find it useful to visit these pages for more information. Please note that camp-sites and B&B’s can book up very quickly in the central Lake District, so please reserve your accommodation early!
www.lakedistrictcamping.co.ukEverything you need to know about camping and camp sites in the Lake District National Park and Cumbria in the UK.
www.golakes.co.ukLake District info - we have an extensive and user-friendly information network in place. Whether you require details on how to get here or how to get around, advice on what to see and do, suggestions of where to stay and eat or anything else that will enhance your stay.
www.lake-district.gov.ukThe Lake District National Park Authority statutory purposes are to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Lake District National Park; and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment by the public.
COURSE ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE TIMESFor almost all our courses we meet at 19:30 hrs on the evening of the course start date (19:00 hrs if you are arriving by train) and you will be back to your cars by 16:00 hrs on the last day of the course (17:00 hrs at the train station). However, specific course times, arrival details and equipment lists are contained in the email that you will receive automatically once you place your online booking.
WHAT HAPEN'S UPON ARRIVAL?Our bushcraft courses usually start in the evening. Upon meeting us at the rendezvous point, your cars will be safely parked on the estate and your equipment will be transported to the base camp, by the Woodsmoke Land Rovers. From your cars you may be asked to walk the stunning 2km walk to our base camp, so please be dressed for any weather, and have your head-torch to hand. Once at base camp, you will erect your tent or sleeping system and join the main fire. After a brew, some bread and soup, and safety briefings, you will be introduced to each other, the Woodsmoke team and to the course. You will also be shown the camp set up and simple protocols will be explained. You will spend the evening having a chat around the fire and teaching will begin the following morning.
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?All meals are cooked on site. Food preparation and cooking will be a joint effort, involving both students and staff. All of our full time staff hold 'food handling and hygiene' certificates. All our courses and expeditions are fully catered, however you may be required to cook for yourself or in groups on occasion, forming part of the educational aspects of the course (please see individual course page for further information).
A typical days food would be: Breakfast - tinned fruit and various cereal options; Lunch - bread rolls, a selection of fillings (eg. cheese, ham, tuna) a healthy salad, fruit and snacks; Evening meal - Rice dishes with Thai, Indian & Chinese style curries; or pasta with Italian style, tomatoes based, sauces. Course participants are usually pleasantly surprised by the high standard of the food and meals we provide, however please remember that this is an expedition style base camp and therefore has inherent limitations with regards to producing meals to cater for individual tastes. Whilst we are proud of the tasty, nutritious meals we produce with basic amenities, but our focus is to educate, not to compete with restaurants.
There will always be a brew pot on the go and a biscuit box available, so that students are free to make tea and coffee at any time. The food provided will be more than adequate, but feel free to bring extra provisions if you wish.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTSWe are happy to cater for medical intolerance's, allergies and for vegetarian diets, but please let us know when you place your booking. However, we do not cater for preferences or mild intolerance's. If you have a dietary intolerance of any kind then you are kindly asked to bring your own snacks, gluten free bread, and any other specifics you may feel necessary. If you are in doubt then do contact us to discuss options. If you have very specific requirements or very serious allergies then you may be asked to bring your own food and cooking equipment so please inquire about this before booking online.
ARE THERE AGE RESTRICTIONS?We have a lower age limit of 18 on all our wilderness skill courses, except the '14-17yrs - Woodlander', which is a five-day course based on the adult Woodlander syllabus. There is no upper limit. In the past, we have taught students in their seventies. Provided you are in good physical health and have a positive mental attitude, there is no reason why you should not attend. If you are in any doubt, please consult your GP before booking, and feel free to contact us to discuss your concerns.
ARE THE COURSES TOUGH?Our bushcraft courses should be viewed as being a wilderness education experience and not as an ordinary holiday. They are educational courses, but just as importantly, they are a ‘hands on’ experience and at times can be quite challenging. Due to the nature of the location and the course content, you will be expected to take short hikes over uneven terrain, therefore a good level of fitness is required – on occasion you will be wet, muddy, tired, too hot, too cold, frustrated and exhilarated! Our Nomad and Aboriginal Courses are designed to be very challenging (see course details).
WILL I BE HUNTING & TRAPPING FOR FOOD?On our standard wilderness survival courses you will not be hunting and trapping, although we will teach you the techniques on the Woodlander course, as feeding yourself from the wild is an integral part of the subject. On our more advanced Aboriginal course you will be trapping and fishing, as feeding yourself from the wild is an integral part of the subject.
DO I NEED PRIOR EXPERIENCE?Not at all. If you enjoy being outdoors and are keen to learn – we will welcome your company. Although previous camping experience can be an advantage on the overnight courses, it is not essential. Some of our more advanced courses do have pre-requisites; please see course details.
WHERE WILL I PARK MY CAR & WILL MY STUFF BE SAFE?Courses are conducted on a private estate, with limited access to the general public. There are parking facilities provided within the estate, and whilst we cannot guarantee the safety of your vehicle, there have never been any incidents of theft within the grounds. We would recommend that you keep any valuable personal belongings in your day sack. From your cars, you and your kit will be driven to our base-camp location, therefore it is not essential that you pack all your equipment into one rucksack, you will not be required to walk more than 100m to the camping area. Please note, that once at base-camp you will not return to your vehicle until the end of the course.
CAN I ATTEND ON MY OWN?Yes! Our bushcraft courses are aimed at private individuals who have a passion to learn. Although some people attend in pairs or small groups, the vast majority of our groups are made up of individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.
WHAT ABOUT BAD WEATHER?Courses will run in all but the most extreme weather conditions. Bad weather makes learning the skills more challenging and harder to master, but you will be rewarded with a higher level of ability and a greater sense of achievement. The unpredictable weather in Britain makes it one of the best training grounds in which to learn bushcraft. In addition we have a large, light and airy, wood-stove heated geodesic dome, which we use for difficult weather conditions, out of season courses and craft workshops.
SANITATION & HYGIENE Courses are run from an expedition-style base camp, this means that our toilet facilities are screened, covered latrines. We have used this system for the past 10 years of our teaching experience and find it to be the cleanest, most environmentally friendly and hygienic system. It is an essential part of wilderness living and you will be given clear instruction about latrine construction, considerations for wilderness travel and base camp life, and a few simple protocols about hygienic use upon arrival to base camp. In addition a basic, screened expedition gravity fed shower will be available for your use.
IS IT SAFE?
“Adventure is a romantic name for trouble…” At Woodsmoke the opposite
is true, as you will get the opportunity to learn wilderness living
skills in a safe and controlled environment, where making mistakes will
not put you in danger. However you must come in the knowledge
that no outdoor activity is entirely without risk, as you may be using
sharp tools or walking across uneven terrain. Accidents can
happen.We advise you take out adequate adventure travel insurance for the duration of your course or expedition - here is a link to one Bushcraft specific insurance company - Sports Cover Direct.
The biggest risk to your welfare is from ticks, but through good bite avoidance measures they should not present any problems - for more information, please download our Tick Awareness fact sheet.
ALCOHOL Alcohol is strictly forbidden on all our courses, due to the obvious health and safety risks. Alcohol and cutting tools don’t mix! However, it is not unusual for students to get together at the end of a course for a well-earned pint.
AXES & TOOLSAxes must not be used at any time, unless the individual student has permission from the Woodsmoke instructor leading the course.
DOGSPets are not permitted on any of our courses - sorry!
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones are permitted, but please use them very quietly & discreetly! Please bare in mind that you may not get a signal at our site. Orange receives the best reception. We do not provide facilities for charging phones.
Documents for download
- lymesdisease.pdf (03/06/2010)
- tick_awareness.pdf (03/06/2010)
- woodsmoke_exped_terms.pdf (22/01/2012)
- woodsmoke_uk_terms_&_conditions.pdf (22/01/2012)