CHRISSY BAXTER

John and Team- it’s been a massive challenge and I have absolutely loved it (sorry if my face didn’t always show that). It’s a brilliant course and you were fantastic teachers, I’m very grateful x

JIM TODD

Thanks everyone for a fantastic experience. Thank you to you John and Gav and Chris and Evan for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us and making it so much fun.

TOM YOUNG

Thank you everyone for a wonderful experience. Absolute blast meeting you all and feeling very inspired. Thank you John for well taught, life-enriching knowledge and skills I can carry forwards and share with others now too.
Hopefully see you all by a fire in the woods again soon

STEFFI GUENTHER

It really has been a great balance of all the good stuff!! Precious time in a beautiful woodland with the most friendliest group, while learning useful fun skills from great teachers, challenging oneself and feeling proooud and happy! So much more to learn and try and practise and enjoy. Hope to see you all again one fine day!

CARL BACON

What an amazing Course, great for beginners and more advanced students. Was blown away regarding the knowledge that our instructor John shared with us, from bushcraft to woodcraft, plant and tree ID and much much more. I went away wanting more, its been the best course I’ve ever taken and it wont be the last course that I undertake with John and his team. Thank you for expanding my knowledge and leaving me excited with what I can learn from the woodlands.

MARY P

Advanced Bushcraft Award Just spent another fabulous week with John Rhyder’s team from The Woodcraft School with instructors Phil Brooke and Joe Garnett, exceptional teachers and Master Craftsmen in their own right. Apart from being inspirational teachers they have the most inventive and patient way of teaching knots, with wonderful visual images to help us along. I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Thanks so much guys and to all the other people on the course, I wish you all lived near me so I could see you every day and looking forward so much to seeing you all again next month. It’s been the most exhausting, intense and exhilarating experience. Lots of sore muscles and a head so full of information it’s going to take me a couple of days to get it all into some sort of order. Lots of practical and theoretical homework now until assessment and accreditation in August……. off now to practice bow drill – my Nemesis!

MARK LAWLESS

This course is pretty amazing. I went in as a total newbie, slightly nervous of what was to come, but looking for an adventure, and a way to open up my understanding and appreciation of the Natural World. It’s no overstatement to say that I came away with a wealth of knowledge and more of a feeling of belonging to the wild places. I no longer feel like a stranger in the Woods or Forests, but more a part of them. Phil, the chief instructor, is a Legend. It feels as if he comes from a bygone, more honourable era, one where values and morals mean everything. He is so knowledgeable and passionate about the outdoors, and all the different subjects he teaches, that he patiently and expertly guides you through all the different themes, adding anecdotes and facts along the way, keeping you hanging on every word and scribbling notes. But at the same time he exudes a selfless humility and a willingness to help you as an individual, which is priceless. ( I can actually see him wincing as he reads this).You are certainly made to feel very welcome here. Joe, Phil’s second in command, is also great, His knowledge, commitment and helpfulness only seconded by his culinary skills. You won’t go hungry, that’s for sure.

All this is overseen by John, who also takes some of the subjects, who’s expertise and knowledge is unparalleled. But the overall feeling is of fun. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot to learn, and this is a very professionally run outfit. The days are long and demanding. But it is all put together in an atmosphere of fun and laughter, making it a joy to be a part of, and you come away feeling a part of a new family. When I’d finished my assessment, I booked up the Bow making course straight away. For anyone with a glimmer of interest in the outdoors and wild places, anyone looking for a priceless woodland experience, just book it up. Don’t even bother looking elsewhere. This is the one. You won’t be disappointed.

LUKE NEWMAN

What an amazing experience. From the first day of arrival to the assessment the course was outstanding. A wealth of knowledge shared to us by John and Phil and also the instructors. We felt welcome, looked after, guided and mentored throughout the whole course. What a privilege to learn with masters of their craft and feel their enthusiasm (which is infectious!). As a beginner, I found the course very accessible and felt very much part of a team straight away. There were high standards, and with ample time to practice skills and seek guidance from John & Phil, I felt the structure of the course really worked for me. I have already recommended the school to others and I will continue to do so. Luke.

ALI AZIZ

Dear John and Phil, Just wanted to say how extremely delighted i was with the one week advance bushcraft course. The knowledge and wealth of experience you both have as in instructors where second to none. Every day was a fun and humorous atmosphere. I enjoyed the beautiful location. For what the course offered it was well worth the price. I would highly recommend Woodcraft School. Once again a huge thank you to yourselves and to all the team for accommodating my religious,dietary and physical needs. I could not have expected more…10/10

LOUISE ANDERSON

Awesome course! I learned so much whilst having huge amounts of fun in a lovely woods. I even enjoyed the assessments! Phil and John were great .. Very knowledgeable, relaxed and had good sense of humour! On site facilities were great .. Including a nice outdoor composting toilet and a shower! The group were fab too … And weren’t into bushcraft just for a knife collection! Lots of people from different walks of life sharing an interest in the natural world, outdoor activities and a desire to improve their own skills. I had a fabulous learning holiday and would do it all again!

SCOTTY BATTY

What a learning curve! Thanks for putting on an excellent course. First class tuition, location and bunch of coursemates. Definitely not a course for anyone looking to just turn up and assume you’ll pass. The training and assessment are both full on and you have to put the hours in if you want to succeed (particularly for a beginner like me!). But doing so is fantastic and well worth the effort. Having achieved this qualification I now know what standard I’m at and it has given me the skills, knowledge and confidence to get out there and embrace the new dimension to the woods that this Advanced Bushcraft Award has given me. Cheers guys!