Bows have been a part of our culture for thousands of years, so long and so important are they to us, that perhaps none of us would be here if it wasn’t for the skill and patience of our ancestors.  Hunting, inter- tribal conflict and symbols of power that built nations like our small islands, these beautiful pieces of timber are much more than killing tools. Each Bow is a personal statement of skill, patience and craftsmanship.

We explore Bow design through the ages with a particular focus on the evolution of longbows and how the simple stick become a feared weapon that dominated the Middle Age's battlefields. You’ll learn how to craft your War Bow using simple tools, utilizing the knowledge and skill that’s been passed on from one generation of Bowyers to another over time. 

Course Content

• War Bow History
• Wooden Bow Design
• Factors Affecting Bow Efficiency
• Wood Selection
• Bow Woods
• Tillering
• carpentry techniques
• Horn Nocks
• Arrow plates 
• Finishing methods
• String materials
• String construction

Bow wood materials 

Backing - Maple 

Tapered Core - Yew 

Belly Wood - Lemon Wood

We make the staves prior to the course from grade A bow making timber. This special opportunity to use yew as the core wood is as long as our current stock lasts. Some very special yew we cut locally 4-5 years ago that provided over 200 hundred laminate strips. 

Potential Poundage 

It's certainly possible to aim for war bow weights in this course however we always advise to aim for a achievable draw weight for you. Especially if you intend to shoot regularly. A typical weight for this course is 60-100lbs. 

Duration

The course is run over 6 days, however on the first day you'll arrive at 5pm to set up your camps and have a evening informal talk on bow history and design. 

Catering

This course is part catered offering an evening meal only and we can accommodate meat and vegetarian diets, if you have allergies, a specific or complicated diet or are a strict vegan then you will have to make arrangements to supplement the food provided with your own provisions..

Dates & times 

September 2025 - (Places available) Tues 2nd (arrive 5pm) - Wed 3rd  - Thu 4th - Fri 5th - Sat 6th - Sun 7th (finishes on the last day 5pm)

The workshops places are updated daily. 

Bow Making At Other Venues

Phil also teaches Traditional English Longbow Making at other Fantastic events and settings. Please click on the venues names to check them out. The Weald and Downland Museum in West Sussex and at the Wilderness Gathering in Wiltshire. 

Camping & Facilities  

Woodland camping is included at no extra cost. However this is not a course requirement, there's plenty of local B&Bs/hotels available.  

The Course is now run from the comfort of our woodland workshop nestled deep in the woods facilities include. 

• Heated workshop 
• kitchen
• Showers 
• Toilets 
• Camping included in the woods or field campsite. 
• Self contained camper vans welcome. 

Course size 

6 maximum 

Location 

Near Hellingly East Sussex 

Details 

A small degree of carpentry experience is preferable but not necessarily essential. It is challenging making a bow as it's using tools and muscles you may not be familiar with. We have myself and two specifically trained members of staff on hand to help but this is a course where your being expertly guided closely through the process of you making the bow. We do longbow making workshops with self bow staves or double laminates if you'd like to build your skills up prior to this course but again this is not essential. 

The course is set in the outdoors from our comfortable expedition style camp and from our old barn classroom. Appropriate warm outdoor clothing is required. 

This is a adult course only.

Upon booking you'll receive in-depth joining instructions in the form of PDFs with a recommended kit list, directions. course information and Medical form. Please do check the email account you booked with and your spam folder after booking as sometimes emails with attachments are filtered out your inbox. 

Tools 

All tools are provided however you may find it very useful to have one of our own Bow Making Scrapers. Ideal for this course. Please find more details here. https://www.philbrookelongbows.co.uk/product/phil-brooke-longbows-two-handed-cabinet-scraper/226/ 

Social Media

A picture paints a thousand words so please check out our social media to see pictures from the workshops. https://www.instagram.com/philbrookelongbows/

Reviews

Bill Eldridge-June 

"I wanted to record my thanks to both you and Joe, please pass on my thanks to him. I do not think I could have wanted a more knowledgeable and supportive pair of trainers. Lesser mortals would have given up on me and my heavy weight stave. You didn't and I was able to go home with a fantastic functioning War bow. Your sense of humor and optimism never flagged and you kept a diverse bunch of trainees with very different levels of skill and experience on track, amazing. Thank you once again. "

We Feel reviews help others make informed decisions on our courses and products, please take a read of the genuine reviews from our clients on the rewiew page.  

Fees

The cost of this course is £595 per person. We will invoice for the remaining £495 6-4 weeks prior to the course start date. The deposit guarantees your place on the course. 

For Any further questions please feel free to contact us directly.