Spend a fun & relaxing day in the woods learning how to carve (whittle) freshly harvested greenwood.

What's It All About?

Greenwood is any wood that is freshly harvested and is still full of moisture - much easier to carve with hand tools than dry, seasoned wood that is much harder.

There is something timeless and deeply rewarding about carving a piece of freshly harvested greenwood using simple hand tools, and is something humans have been doing for thousands of years. All the wood we use on this course has been sustainably harvested from our own woodland, and whatever you make will be yours to take home, and you will have a number of projects to choose from. This course is suitable for complete beginners but is also a good foundation to carry on your own whittling back home, with some basic tool advice on top of the skills you will learn.

Working with any sharp-edge tools presents an element of risk, but by learning some basic principles and techniques you will be better prepared to manage that risk. You will learn how to safely use a carving axe with a chopping block, a carving knife, a shavehorse & drawknife.

This is a great way to unwind, connect with nature and explore your more creative side. The course will run from my woodland workshop in Ghyll Wood on the fabulous Wyresdale Park estate. This course will be based outside with an option to use our indoor space should the weather dictate.

What you need to know

This course is suitable for anyone 18 years+ and no previous wood-crafting skills are necessary. Children from 12 years old can attend if they are accompanied by an adult who is also a paying participant (but please contact to discuss before booking). As with all our courses a private booking can also be made for individuals and small family or friend groups

Please wear clothing that is suitable for the expected weather conditions and that you don't mind getting a little messy, and good fitting, sturdy footwear with a grippy sole. Refreshments will be provided but please provide your own lunch, and you can make use of the Applestore café for take out (please note that you will not have time for a sit in lunch at the café).

Description supplied by the event organiser.