Woodland Ways Reviews 

Had a great day learning how to progress down the river Derwent through varied water conditions. Grade 1 & 2 rapids alternating with deep slow moving gentle stretches of the river to give the students plenty of time to learn new paddle strokes and put them into practice before the next set. A few fallen trees and gravel banks to negotiate complimented the learning process and we were expertly tutored by Patrick who was very calm and explained everything in detail before and during the trip. Any initial anxiety was quickly kicked into touch as we were given time to practice paddle strokes required before we had to use them in earnest. A welcome rest and stop for lunch on a wide gravel bank split the journey nicely and the instructors shepherded us throughout the day making sure no one was left behind and anyone who needed a little extra tuition or encouragement received their full attention for the day, gradually gaining skills and confidence. A most enjoyable day even though I was quite tired (I'm 62 with underlying health issues that affect my energy levels) and not as fit as I once was.
I would definitely do the course again purely for the enjoyment factor and at the price for this course it represents exceptional value for money. The other students were a great bunch and we all got on very well - great fun! If you're thinking of doing this course it's a no brainer - you won't be disappointed! I'd only paddled flat water and slow moving rivers/canals before but now I feel more confident to tackle slightly more challenging days on the water. thank you Woodland Ways!

Spent the day canoeing with Woodland Ways last weekend , an absolutely brilliant experience .
I have been struggling since an injury last year and didn’t think I could go on with the course but Patrick helped me so much and really made me feel at ease , a huge thank you Patrick for your kindness and patience ,and to everyone else on the course that day , an amazing day spent with great people ❤️

Just finished a weekend bushcraft course in their oxfordshire location. I can honestly say this was the best course of anything I have ever done. From the very beggining you know you are being taight by absolute pros, with such an overwelming wealth of information and experience, its hard at times to have time to ask them all the questions that bubble up! From start to finish this packed course was safe, challenging and enjoyable.

Ben, Rob, Craig and Pattrick could not have been more welcoming and nice to all of us. Their easy banter between them I think made everyone else at ease. These were people who clearly just enjoyed being in the woods and sharing their knowledge and experiences.

I cannot wait to return!

I have just returned from the Croatia trip and wanted to share my experience.

I cannot express my gratitude enough to Mark and Jason for providing such an enriching and immersive experience. Having never been on an expedition like this before, I was unsure what to expect. I anticipated being immersed in a wilderness environment, with the possibility of seeing wildlife in its natural habitat—but it proved to be so much more than that.

Mark and Jason’s level of expertise, knowledge, and genuinely authentic approach to facilitating learning, curiosity and reflection was second to none. Every aspect of the trip was thoughtfully run. The accommodation was excellent, and the food was of a very high standard throughout (Being a veggie was not an issue at all, in fact embraced). The humour and laughter was second to none 😊

Most importantly, Mark and Jason created an environment that was friendly, inclusive, and supportive. As someone with no prior knowledge of bushcraft , I found this especially reassuring—it allowed me to fully engage, learn, and enjoy the experience without hesitation. This made the trip not only accessible but deeply enriching.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mark, Jason, the other participants, and the staff at Woodland Ways for providing such a memorable experience.

I am certain I will be booking onto future courses.

Thank you kindly once again

Robin

Start to finish this was an excellent course Andy and Norman are knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. Providing information in an easily accessible manner at the pace of the group. Scientific, historical, practical and legal. The ethos shone through and with advice on where to look further to build on what had been learned. It was only a few hours but I have come home inspired and more appreciative of what is around me.

Just finished a 10 days bushcraft course with WW. Amazing experience. So grateful to Davie, Ben and Micaela for their knowledge, their humor and their care, always offered with a smile and never intrusive. The perfect blend of supervised teaching and independent time for practicing and simply enjoying lone time in the wood. As always, I cannot wait to be back. Thank you so much.
Mirco.

Nicola was hugely knowledgeable and patient, with lots of helpful hints and tips. The course was well structured and at the right pace with all materials to complete a pair of moccasisns included. One moccasin completed on the day and the other to finish at home to consolidate learning. I'm confident in my abilities and I can see it'll be Moccasins for Christmas this year for my wife and kids :) A fabulous way to learn new skills and meet new like-minded people.

Just got back from Game Ranger Experience and Tracking course in South Africa (My third expedition with Woodland Ways) and yet again Jason and the team knocked it out of the park! I had a fantastic time and some of the best experiences of my life and met some fantastic people who made the trip even more memorable, the close encounter with wild elephants will never be forgotten and stay with us all!! Add to that learning some tracking skills from Colin and Samantha who are the best in the business cannot be beaten. I have now got the Africa bug and will definitely be heading back again in the near future

At 70 years old and having completed several Woodland Ways courses you would think I might be ready for a more sedate way of life, but having experienced the quality of their courses and the experience their instructors bring to them I craved for more. So I felt something a bit more challenging was required before my body tells me otherwise. I have recently completed both their Sahara and Amazon expeditions, and although some aspects I found challenging at times the rewards were well worth the effort. These type of trips may not be suitable if you prefer soft bed sheets with a nice hot shower tagged on, but if you can cope with a bit of discomfort and approach all aspects of the course with a positive can do mindset, you will have a once in a lifetime unforgettable experience. But, I'm not prepared to settle for once in a life time, so I'm going to return to the Amazon with Woodland Ways next year, 2026, such was the the amazing time I had there, and I have also signed up for other Expeditions and Course's they have to offer in 2026. Before booking a course I'd advice you contact them and do a bit of research first as it's a big commitment to join one of the expeditions and often there are only 10 places available. Also I'd be happy to pass on my experience through my YouTube Channel 'Clarky's Adventures' where I can be contacted in comments.

Brazilian Jungle Expedition
A truly epic trip. I have been on several Woodland Ways expeditions and this is one of the best.
It combines jungle survival skills, staying alongside indigenous people learning how they live and utilize natural resources, experiencing their friendship, hands on craft skills and a few tourist activities. Tuition on essential jungle skills is provided by top class Brazilian Army Jungle survival experts and then putting them into practice. The jungle is potentially dangerous, but as always with Woodland Ways, safety comes first.
So much to learn and many unforgettable memories. Lots of fun.
It is bushcraft to another level which has to be experienced.
The downside: Its along way to travel.

Had such a brilliant time on the basket making course! 🧺
It was really well run, with plenty of materials, refreshments, and a great atmosphere. Davey, our tutor, was amazing — so patient and skilled, and he made the whole process easy and fun to follow.
I came away feeling inspired (and with a basket I actually made myself!). Would definitely recommend this course to anyone wanting to try something creative and hands-on.

Had a question about an item that was answered immediately. Placed my order accordingly and the item was delivered next day. Great quality. Excellent service. Highly recommended.

Woodland-ways
I was a complete beginner at bushcraft.
So did the bushcraft weekend in May this year.
And there was so much to learn, from shelter building, food preparation, fire lighting, water purification, navigation skills, from a friendly and knowledgeable bunch of instructors.
Enjoyed that course so then progressed to the advanced weekend course in August, where skills already learnt on the initial weekend, were put to good use, with a bit of encouragement to do more for ourselves,, and we were introduced to even more bushcraft skills, carving, basket making,
Very professional and friendly business, with a variety of skills and courses available..
nothing is too much trouble for the instructors, just ask.and help is on hand..
If you want to experience Bushcraft, this is the ideal company to go with.
See you on the next course folks.

Great day with Patrick & Davie on a really interesting foraging tour of the woods and surrounding area in Derbyshire. These two guys really know their stuff. First time eating pigeon which was delicious! Thanks for a great day 🤩

Just came back from a lads trip. Joe was capable of keeping 10 male strangers warm and entertained. We’ve learned, laughed and ate a lot. From respecting a pigeon, to creating fire.

Unfortunately we didn’t see a wild elephant… thanks Joe. You’re a true legend!

Woodland Ways Derbyshire,

Firstly I would like to sincerely thankyou all the team for an amazing few days, what I experience over the last few days has truly change my out look on life and the experience has made me think about my work life balance.

You have an exceptional talent for finding amazing ambassadors for the company. The whole team are truly blessed to surround yourselves with each other and I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the team on different courses. The collective information and skill sets you all have proves your dedication and love for life and I feel exceptionally privileged to have been part of it over the weekend.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's time and respect everyone dedication to knowledge which made the course truly inspirational, the amount of content and course structure makes the course exceptional value for money and experiences I will never forget, I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Had a wonderful day learning how to choose a piece of wood, how to shape, then carve it into a Kuksa.

Ian was a brilliant teacher, knowledgable and patient. Can’t think of a better way to spend time in woodland.

Never been on any event organised by these guys but think I still qualify to give a rating. I was in a 8 year relationship when my other half attended a course in Sweden this March. She returned 10 days later an absolute stranger. If you have any family attending such a course, please be very wary. The professionalism of some, needs to be, and should be questioned. I have had to heavily edit this review to get it republished. You take time to read between the lines…

Winter Survival Skills Weekend - East Lothian (Scotland): I joined a 2 night weekend in February to boost my confidence in practical skills. It worked! Andy and Davey were fantastic, knowledgeable course leaders and were both supportive in ensuring we knew what we needed to succeed, while always challenging us to complete the skills sessions ourselves. We build a shelter which kept us dry for 2 nights (and will stand for many more!). We learnt how to skin rabbit, pheasant and pigeon and how these animals are managed back into our food chain to avoid waste. We learnt how to cook using a Dutch oven over a campfire and I thought we'd be hungry but I was wrong - so much good food! We learnt to start a fire several different ways, with and without a flint. We learnt some star navigation, and covered many other topics like forestry management and how to forage safely. I chose this weekend in February deliberately for a challenge, and I loved it. It wasn't easy, but I felt supported the whole time and I'll be back for more courses as it was so well run. Thank you to the team!

What can I say other than a massive massive thank you to the team at woodland ways Oxfordshire. I just had the most enlightening, amazing wonderful introductory weekend to Bushcraft. I was met at the carpark gate by jay and bill they met us with a warm smile and greeting. We walked up to base camp and the course hq. I can’t praise all the team at Woodland Way is enough for the most amazing wonderful brilliant experience. From the minute we arrived we were learning instantly about wildlife Woodlands Bushcraft, this weekend has given me so so much in many ways I highly recommend anybody thinking about taking up Bushcraft. Please go with this company instructors the apprentice instructors. The new apprentices are all fantastic. A wealth of knowledge gives your whole new perspective on the countryside and nature being at peace with the forest and just thoroughly thoroughly, getting back to nature at its best to me that has given me the confidence to do several more courses. Each one will just add to my knowledge and understanding of everything regarding Bushcraft. I highly highly recommend the team that I was with. Many many thanks again to you all at woodland way.