A  woodland camping experience with bushcraft workshops aimed at total beginners. Camping equipment for hire.

Escape to the chiltern hills and camp in a small private woodland - I can provide and set up a hammock or tent for you or you can bring your own camping gear.

Ages 16+

Lesson itinerary

Exact plans may change due to the weather and availability of materials but will be similar to this:

Day 1

• Set up camp
• Knife skills & safety instruction - carving a tent peg
• Fire lighting techniques - trying flint & steels
• Discuss natural navigation
• Open fire cooking - a delicious camp style meal will be provided for you

Day 2

• Morning nature walk - looking for animal tracks, and talking about the local trees and plants.
• Self catered lunch
• Water filtration
• Making pot hangers for cooking over a fire
• Making string from stinging nettles

There will be  time to relax around the camp fire and in the evening you're sure to hear many tawny owls who live in the woodland as well as the possibility of seeing deer, badgers and glis glis (edible dormouse).

Lunch and breakfast are self catered and dinner is provided.

I have 2 tickets available which include top quality hammock and tarps which will be set up for you on site

I also have 1 ticket to rent a tent with raised double camp bed and double air mattress which sleeps 2 people - if you want this, please book 2 adult 'sef camp' tickets and also the tent rental ticket.

Other tickets are self camp meaning you bring and set up your own gear.

Parking is available on site and the itinerary may be customisable if you are interested in a particular topic.

A full kit list you'll need to bring will be provided after booking.

Location

A small private woodland near Great Hampden, a village in the heart of the Chilterns.

A nearby postcode is HP16 9RQ.

Nearest motorway is M40 junction 4.

Exact location and directions will be provided after booking.

Will it be cold?

Yes, but also fun!

Autumn / winter is a peaceful and beautiful time of year to be outside.

You'll find that within a few hours your body will start to adapt and I believe this thermo-regulation is an important part of our physiology that is almost never used in modern people.

After booking I'll provide you with tips and a packing list which will keep you warm and I have garnered from years of winter wild camping, including camps I have done in January with no sleeping bag!

The aim is definitely not to be 'hardcore' and punish yourself, but to be comfortable living outdoors. Modern clothing such as thermal underwear, microfleece and down sleeping bags make this easier than ever!