Jack Raven Bushcraft

09/10/2026

Led by Nicola, this 1 day course will look at the ancient craft of willow basketry. You’ll be introduced to the materials and tools required and then be guided through the process to make your own round, willow basket.

Throughout the day you will:

• Learn how to create all the elements of a basket, so the base, the sides, and how to finish it all off with a border.
• We’ll cover a range of differing weaves, for specific areas of your basket, and for decorative purposes.
• We’ll discuss care of your basket, making different basket shapes, and alternative materials that can be used as well as willow.
• At the end of the day you’ll come away with the satisfaction of having created a basket that’s unique and has a wide range of practical uses.

Use this link to book

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/basket-weaving-course/

Unlock the artisan within! 🌿 Join Nicola on a transformative 1-day journey into the ancient craft of willow basketry. You'll discover the tools and techniques to craft your own unique, round willow basket, and so much more! 🎨

Throughout the day, you'll:

• Master the art of creating every element of a basket, from base to border.
• Explore diverse weaves for function and flair.
• Learn how to care for your creation, experiment with new shapes, and explore alternative materials.
• And, take home a one-of-a-kind basket that's both beautiful and practical! 🌟

Book now and unleash your creative potential!

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/basket-weaving-course/

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Withies are a type of fastening made from the outer fibres of tall, straight stems such as hazel. They’re simple to make and very effective.

Depending on the time of year, we look at how to make a withy on our 5 Day Bushcraft course.

09/10/2026

Nettles (Urtica dioca) are a much maligned plant. As well as being great for making natural cordage, they are an incredibly nutritious plant. They contain 4 times as much iron as spinach as well as minerals such as potassium, magnesium phosphorous and calcium (much more than any shop bought vegetables) and also vitamins A and C, (again, much more than anything you buy in the shops) and a small amount of protein.

Nettle tea is great, I love the taste and it’s also an anti-histamine.

08/10/2026

The woodlands are full of brambles (Rubus) and in the spring they’re growing incredibly quickly. You can pick the new, young leaves and add them to boiling water and infuse for 5 minutes. The leaves are packed with vitamins and so a bramble leaf tea is good for your general wellbeing. It can also be used to treat diarrhoea, mouth ulcers and sore throats.

08/10/2026

Working bone is a skill that was fundamental in our journey towards making evermore effective and reliable tools. Not only that, but making bone tools allowed our hunter gatherer ancestors to share a deeper connection with, and understanding of, the animals that they were so dependent upon.

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/bone-tools-course/

08/10/2026

There’s nothing quite like a relaxing day in the woods carving a spoon!

We’ll start the day by looking at a variety of carving techniques using knives and axes. Safety and being able to work with a minimum of effort will be the main focus of the session. You’ll also learn to identify which strokes are best suited for different kinds of cuts.

After this session you’ll be ready for a days spoon carving.

During your day with us, you’ll also learn about:

• Properties of different woods,
• Selecting your wood,
• Splitting techniques,
• Swedish spoon design,
• How to sharpen your carving tools.

Axes, carving knives, draw knives, scorps and crook knives will be provided.

A really great chance to begin a lifetime of carving beautiful things!

Use this link to book

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/1-day-spoon-carving-course/

08/10/2026

Not particularly seasonal but worth a watch.

Wandering through the woods recently, the smell of rotting flesh caught my attention. Watch this video of me foraging for stink horn.

07/10/2026

Run from an indoor workshop in Tenterden, Kent, we’ve put this one-day leather working course together for anyone with an interest in leather, craft, or who simply wants to explore another avenue of bushcraft.
You don’t need any previous experience with leather working as you will learn the core skills and techniques on the course. It’s a perfect introduction to making traditional leather items.

So if you’re looking for an unforgettable day, join us for a leather working day that focuses on leather work tools, design and construction.

We’ve designed this course around the making of a simple notebook holder. We’ve chosen this as a project as it covers all the basic skills required to produce almost any small leather goods. There’s also large scope for customisation of your project.

Along the way you’ll learn about different leathers, techniques and tools.

Typically, you will, under the expert guidance and instruction of Paul Bradley:

• Use the provided pattern to produce a leather cover for a standard 5.5 x 3.5 notebook
• Be guided on how to design and draw out and customise a pattern
• Learn all about the different tools used in leather working and how to use them
• Learn how to cut out, assemble and mark for stitching
• Learn and practice the techniques of the traditional saddle stitch to complete the assembly of your notebook
• Learn how to finish your project with edge burnishing techniques and other small but important details that add to the overall professional look.

A really great chance to begin a lifetime of making beautiful things!

Use this link to book

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/leather-working-course/

07/10/2026

I generally have a compass with me when I’m wandering around, whether that’s in the woods, the coast or the hills. Not all compasses have a magnifying lense built in but it makes sense to have one that does.

In this short video I show how to light a fire with a compass.

I take a compass with me when I’m wandering around, whether in the woods, the coast or the hills. In this short video I show how to light a fire with a compass.