General Questions

 

What is bushcraft?

 

Bushcraft is the art of living comfortably in the outdoors using practical skills and knowledge of the natural environment. It includes skills such as fire lighting, shelter building, knife work, woodland cooking, water purification and understanding nature. At Learn Bushcraft, we focus on practical, hands on learning that anyone can enjoy.

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I've never done bushcraft before. Is this course suitable for me?

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Absolutely. Most of our customers are complete beginners.

Our instructors will guide you through every activity step by step, making sure you feel comfortable and confident before moving on. No previous experience is required for our Beginners Bushcraft Course.

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Why should I learn bushcraft?

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Bushcraft teaches practical outdoor skills while helping you reconnect with nature. You'll gain confidence, learn to work with natural materials, improve your problem solving skills and enjoy spending time outdoors away from everyday distractions. Most importantly, it's great fun.

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Our Courses

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What bushcraft courses do you offer?

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We currently offer a range of outdoor experiences, including:

• Beginners Bushcraft Course

• Bushcraft Weekend Course

• Fire by Friction Weekend

• Forest to the Feast (Large Game Butchery)

• Wild Camping Experiences

• Private Bushcraft Experiences

• Private Wild Camping Expeditions

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New courses and seasonal experiences are added throughout the year.

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Where are your courses held?

All of our experiences take place within over 1,500 acres of private woodland near Gloucester.

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The exact meeting point, directions and arrival information will be emailed after your booking has been confirmed.

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How many people attend each course?

We keep our groups small to provide a relaxed atmosphere and allow everyone plenty of one to one instruction.

Most courses have between 6 and 12 participants, although some specialist experiences may vary.

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Can I book a private course?

Yes.

We offer private bushcraft experiences for individuals, families, Scout groups, schools, corporate teams and other organisations. Private courses can be tailored to suit your group's experience level and interests.

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Booking

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How do I book?

Booking is simple.

Visit the relevant course page on our website, choose your preferred date and complete your booking securely online.

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What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major debit and credit cards, along with Bank Transfers for secure online payments.

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What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel more than 14 days before your course, you may be eligible for a refund.

Cancellations made within 14 days may be transferred to another available date where possible.

Bookings changed within 7 days of the course are subject to a £50 administration fee per person.

Please contact us as soon as possible if your plans change.

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Preparing for Your Course

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What should I bring?

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For most day courses you'll need:

• Outdoor clothing suitable for the weather

• Waterproof jacket

• Sturdy walking boots

• Water bottle

• Packed lunch if required on your course page

For weekend courses you'll also need:

• Sleeping bag

• Sleeping mat, hammock or camping equipment

• Torch or head torch

• Personal toiletries

• Spare clothing

A full kit list will be emailed after booking.

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Do I need to bring my own bushcraft equipment?

No.

We provide all of the specialist bushcraft equipment needed during the course, including tools and materials.

If you have your own equipment you're welcome to bring it along, although our instructors may inspect it before use for safety reasons.

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What if I don't have camping equipment?

Don't worry.

We have a limited selection of camping equipment available to hire. Please contact us before your course so we can discuss what you need.

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During Your Experience

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Will we be lighting fires?

Yes.

Fire lighting is one of the highlights of many of our courses. Depending on the experience you've booked, you may learn techniques such as:

• Ferro rod fire lighting

• Flint and steel

• Natural tinder preparation

• Bow drill friction fire

• Hand drill fire lighting

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Will I be using knives and axes?

Yes, on many courses.

All tool use begins with a full safety briefing and practical demonstration before you start. Safety is always our highest priority, and every activity is supervised by experienced instructors.

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What happens if it rains?

Our courses continue in most weather conditions.

Learning to work with the environment is an important part of bushcraft. We have large woodland shelters available and only postpone activities if conditions become unsafe.

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Can I build my own shelter?

Yes.

Many of our courses include shelter building using natural materials or tarps, giving you the opportunity to create a practical shelter that could be used in the woodland.

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Safety

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Are your courses safe?

Safety is our highest priority.

All activities are led by experienced instructors who are First Aid trained, DBS checked and fully insured. Every activity is risk assessed before the course begins.

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I have a medical condition or dietary requirement. Can I still attend?

Usually, yes.

Please let us know when booking so we can make any reasonable adjustments and ensure we can safely accommodate your needs.

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Do I need my own insurance?

We carry public liability insurance for our activities.

Personal accident insurance is optional but recommended if you regularly take part in outdoor activities.

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Camping

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Can I stay overnight?

Yes.

Our Bushcraft Weekend Courses and Wild Camping Experiences include overnight camping within our private woodland.

You'll have the opportunity to camp under a tarp, in a hammock or in your own tent, depending on the experience you've booked.

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Are campfires allowed?

Yes.

One of the unique features of our woodland is that ground fires are permitted in designated areas, allowing you to enjoy an authentic bushcraft experience.

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Are there toilets?

Yes.

Basic toilet facilities are available within the woodland for all participants.

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Families & Pets

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Can children attend?

Yes.

Some of our experiences are suitable for children aged 10 years and over when accompanied by an adult. Please check the individual course page for age guidance.

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Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are welcome on our Wild Camping Experiences, provided they remain under control and do not disturb other campers.

Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on our bushcraft training courses due to the use of tools and practical activities.

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Staying Connected

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Is there mobile phone signal?

Mobile signal is available in some parts of the woodland but can be limited depending on your network.

Many visitors enjoy using this opportunity to disconnect and fully immerse themselves in nature.

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How can I keep up to date with new courses?

Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter and regularly visit our website to hear about new courses, seasonal events and special offers.

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Still have a question?

If you can't find the answer you're looking for, we'd love to help.

📧 info@learn-bushcraft.co.uk

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Or get in touch through our Contact page and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.