Weekend Axe and Charcoal Making Course

These courses run all year round by qualified professionals since 1997.

Courses take place in Devon and Staffordshire. The duration of the course is 41 hours in total.

Trading Standards Approved and National College of Further Education certified.

Courses are run all year round but are subject to availability, if you would like to know when the next available course is taking place, please contact Go Voucher before purchase on 0845 481 0880 or info@govouchers.co.uk.

When you arrive on Friday evening you will be escorted to the base camp location in the woods. You will learn how to construct a base camp and cook using a variety of different methods and ingredients. You will also be introduced to base camp equipment.

On the Saturday we will run an axe workshop for you. You will learn about different sorts of axes, 'axe anatomy', how to use an axe safely, how to maintain and sharpen your axe, how to cross cut and limp, split logs safely and how to carve with an axe. You will also be introduced to the properties of different trees and woods.

In the afternoon, you will put your new skills and techniques into practise when we make some base-camp furniture and tools. Later in the afternoon, we will start to transform the wood we have selected into spoons. We will show you the safe cutting techniques and the methods used to make your own spoons. On the Sunday morning, we will finish off the spoons and oil them ready for use.

This course will take you from tree identification, through to fire lighting, axe work and onto charcoal making. You will be taught which wood makes the best charcoal and how to identify the trees. Once you have collected the wood you need, you will learn the best way to chop it up using bow saws and axes. You will light the fire that makes one of the most useful materials known to iron age man. This is a relaxed course which is packed full of information and practical skills.

Vouchers are valid for 12 months

Participants must be aged 10 years or older.

Please ensure you wear appropriate outdoor clothing - Outdoor clothing should be tough and comfortable. Wearing several thin layers is better than a few thick layers. A waterproof jacket and several sweatshirts underneath are sufficient. Jeans should not be worn, as they are slow to dry, clinging and cold. Natural colours or camouflage will give you a better chance of spotting wildlife. Walking boots are ideal, but wellies in wet weather and trainers in dry weather will suffice.

There are no weather restrictions.

No spectators allowed.