If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about swapping the hustle and bustle of everyday life for the serenity of the wild, then you’re in the right place. Bushcraft is a term used to describe wilderness survival skills, including the likes of fire-starting, shelter-building, and foraging. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoors enthusiast or a city slicker eager to explore the wild, the UK offers a plethora of campsites where you can immerse yourself in bushcraft activities and learn essential survival skills.
The Wilderness Gathering School
The Wilderness Gathering School is a fantastic place to start your bushcraft journey. Located in the heart of rural Wiltshire, this bushcraft school offers a multitude of courses throughout the year.
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Designed to cater to all skill levels, the courses at Wilderness Gathering focus on various bushcraft activities, including but not limited to, shelter building, fire-making, and woodland crafting. Whether you opt for a single day course or decide to dive in deep with a full week’s training, you’ll be under the guidance of experienced instructors who are passionate about sharing their knowledge.
The primary focus here is on practical, hands-on learning. You’ll spend most of your time outdoors, getting your hands dirty and applying what you’ve learned. At the end of your course, not only will you walk away with a wealth of newfound knowledge, but also an experience that is truly unforgettable.
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Bushcraft Adventures Bristol
If you’re situated in the South West, then you’ll find no better place to learn bushcraft skills than at Bushcraft Adventures Bristol. Nestled within a vast woodland area, this camp offers a variety of courses tailored to different age groups and skill levels.
From day trips for schoolchildren to weekend retreats for adults, each course is designed to be highly interactive and engaging. The instructors are committed to teaching you the art of survival in a fun and safe environment. You’ll learn crucial skills such as identifying edible plants, fire building, and constructing a waterproof shelter.
Bushcraft Adventures Bristol also offers team-building activities, which are an excellent opportunity for groups, families, or corporate teams to bond and improve their communication skills while learning essential bushcraft techniques in a fun and challenging woodland setting.
Woodland Ways Bushcraft & Survival
Woodland Ways Bushcraft & Survival, with multiple locations across the UK, is renowned for its in-depth and comprehensive bushcraft courses. This camp caters to those with a thirst for adventure and a desire to learn authentic survival skills.
The instructors here encourage a hands-on approach to learning. You’ll learn to create shelters, make fires, and prepare meals using only what nature provides. The school also delves into more advanced areas of bushcraft, such as tracking wildlife, navigation skills, and even the art of camouflage.
Woodland Ways offers a variety of courses, from day trips to week-long survival courses, so you can choose the one that best suits your time availability and interest level. The school’s dedicated instructors ensure that every participant leaves equipped with the knowledge and confidence to tackle the challenges of the wild.
Bushcraft UK Wilderness Living Skills
Located in the heart of the stunning South Downs National Park, Bushcraft UK Wilderness Living Skills offers an immersive bushcraft learning experience. The school prides itself on its immersive approach, allowing participants to fully experience the joys and challenges of living in the wild.
Courses here cover a wide range of subjects, including fire lighting, shelter building, water sourcing and purification, and foraging for food. The school is also one of the few bushcraft courses in the UK that offers specialised courses in bow making and knapping (the process of making stone tools).
The location of the camp itself adds to the learning experience. The South Downs National Park is a hotspot of biodiversity, providing ample opportunity for foraging and wildlife tracking. Therefore, not only will you be learning essential bushcraft skills, but you will also be gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of the UK’s rich natural heritage.
Original Outdoors Wilderness Skills School
Original Outdoors Wilderness Skills School, based in North Wales, offers a wide range of outdoor and wilderness skills courses. From the basics of camping and outdoor cooking to specialized survival techniques, this school offers a comprehensive suite of courses for budding bushcraft enthusiasts.
The school offers a variety of course durations, from half-day introductions to week-long expeditions, ensuring there’s something for everyone, no matter your time constraints or level of experience. A key feature of this school is their emphasis on learning through doing. You’ll spend most of your day in the great outdoors, engaging in practical exercises and learning directly from the experienced instructors.
Moreover, Original Outdoors places a keen emphasis on environmental sustainability and conservation. While learning how to survive and thrive in the wild, you will also develop a deeper appreciation for nature and understand our responsibility to preserve and protect it.
Camp Wilderness at Boughton Woods
Situated amidst the tranquil woodland of Boughton Woods in Northamptonshire, Camp Wilderness provides an environment that allows you to truly appreciate the beauty of the British wilderness. With an agenda that includes a wide array of bushcraft courses, school trips, and wild camping experiences, it is an ideal spot to learn and practice bushcraft skills.
The camp is famous for its expert-led courses which offer a mix of practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Participants can learn everything from shelter building and wilderness cooking, to wildlife tracking and fire lighting. The instructors, with their years of experience and infectious enthusiasm, make learning both fun and engaging.
Furthermore, the camp offers a memorable 5-day bushcraft course, a perfect mixture of learning and adventure. The course includes learning survival skills, taking part in team-building activities, and even building your own bushcraft camp. At the end of the course, you’ll leave with not just bushcraft competency, but also unforgettable memories and a newfound respect for nature.
Bushcraft Company at Castle Howard
The Bushcraft Company is a leading provider of outdoor education in the UK. Located at the beautiful Castle Howard in Yorkshire, this camp offers an immersive experience into the world of bushcraft. The camp’s setting within 1,000 acres of woodland and parkland allows for a wide range of activities and plenty of space for exploration.
The school offers residential trips for children aged 7-18, providing them with the opportunity to learn bushcraft skills in a safe, controlled environment. The courses are designed to be interactive, hands-on, and fun, which makes learning the art of survival enjoyable and exciting.
Bushcraft Company also offers adult survival courses, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. These courses include fire lighting, shelter building, natural navigation, and even emergency first aid in the wilderness. What’s more, the instructors at this bushcraft camp are dedicated professionals who ensure you leave the course with the confidence to tackle any outdoor challenge.
The UK offers a rich diversity of campsites equipped for learning bushcraft skills and exploring the wonders of the wild. Each campsite provides a unique learning experience, whether you are a beginner or an advanced outdoorsman. From the immersive lessons at Wilderness Gathering School in Wiltshire, the adventure-filled courses at Bushcraft Adventures Bristol, to the comprehensive teaching at Woodland Ways Bushcraft & Survival, there is something for everyone.
Remember, bushcraft is not just about survival. It also instills a sense of responsibility to preserve and protect our environment. So whether you are planning a school trip, a family getaway, or simply looking to expand your outdoor skills, these campsites will equip you with the necessary expertise while ensuring you develop a deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature. So pack your bags, give landowner permission a thumbs up, and get ready for an unforgettable outdoor learning experience in the UK!
