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, designs straight from the prehistoric record and find the right design for you. You’ll learn how to craft your Bow using simple Bushcraft tools, utilizing the knowledge and skill that’s been passed on from one generation of Bowyers to another over time.
You’ll finish this workshop with a Bow, longbow or flatbow where you’ll know the timber was sustainably felled and prepared by us, using native species and traditional methods.
You’ll of made the Bow, made a string, constructed your own arrows and have the knowledge to do it again. But most important of all you’ll become apart of the growing number of people coming back to traditional archery, relying on your own knowledge and skill and not that of machines or Modern materials to make your equipment. In my opinion The core values of Bushcraft.
Course Content
Duration
The course is run over 4 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.
Fees
The cost of this course is £395 per person. We will invoice for the remaining £295 6-4 weeks prior to the course start date. The deposit guarantees your place on the course.
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
Workshops in 2025
1. Timber conversion Workshop - February Workshop 2025 - (places available) Thurs 6th (arrive 5pm) - Fri 7th - Sat 8th - Sun 9th (finishes on the last day 5pm) - learn to identify & fell bow wood (with hand tools), process from round wood and make Laminates & self bow staves. You'll also cover bow wood fault finding & fixing, in stave making and production.
2. March Bow Making Workshop 2025 - (Full) Thurs 20th (arrive 5pm) - Fri 21th - Sat 22nd - Sun 23rd (finishes on the last day 5pm)
3. May Bow Making Workshop 2025 - (places available) Thurs 8th (arrive 5pm) - Fri 9th - Sat 10th - Sun 11th (finishes on the last day 5pm)
4. July Bow Making Workshop 2025 - (places available) Thurs 10th (arrive 5pm) - Fri 11th - Sat 12th - Sun 13th (finishes on the last day 5pm)
5. September Bow Making Workshop 2025 - (places available) Thurs 18th (arrive 5pm) - Fri 19th - Sat 20th - Sun 21th (finishes on the last day 5pm)
The workshops places are updated daily. Please select the workshop dates you'd like from the drop down menu below.
Spaces are available here on our War Bow Course CLICK HERE
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
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.
For Any further questions please feel free to contact us directly.
Course size
8 maximum
Location
Near Hellingly East Sussex
Details
The course is set entirely in the outdoors from our comfortable expedition style camp. 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/
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
Rob Leaney
"I just want to say a big thank you for a fantastic weekend of bow making. I signed up to your course as an archer, thinking it would be nice to make my own bow. But I didn’t come away with just a bow, it was a great experience. As someone with little crafting skills you and your team were very patient guiding us through tool technique and the anatomy of the long bow and the materials to make it. Your knowledge of the history of archery topped the experience off too.Your course was well planned out, it considering all levels of experience ensuring that no felt out of place or left falling behind. The friendly environment allowed this to be a social experience too, from the light-hearted banter to the help and encouragement from the other staff and students. Of course, Scott did a tremendous job in the camp kitchen and kept us well fed. The question is what to do next with this newfound knowledge, I think new (old) tools will be purchased and their maybe an unsupervised bow or two made in the near future. This has seriously made me consider signing up for the next level."
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.
For Any further questions please feel free to contact us directly.
Payment
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