Bushcraft with David Willis
Bushcraft with David Willis
Bushcraft with David Willis
5
About
Bushcraft with David Willis provides exciting, informative and educational courses that teach outdoor living skills (fire, shelter and water provision along with tool use such as knives, saws and axes), natural history (guided woodland walks, tree and plant identification) and woodland crafts (whittling, spoon carving, natural cordage, making bark pots). Scheduled courses include: Bushcraft 101 - Woodland Weekend, Whittling and Woodcraft - includes spoon carving, Fire and Feast - Campfire cookery, The Art of Fire - Fire by Friction and more ways to light a fire, and Campfire Bread Baking. David provides events for organisations, companies, organisations and societies, be that a team building day or just a fun day away from the office. He also enjoys work with special needs charities and schools, David provides activities to suit all ages, abilities and needs! If this is of interest please get in touch - thanks.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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5.0
44 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
0
Average
0
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0
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0
Paul G
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Having already experienced the woodcraft course I wanted the rest of my family to enjoy the old hanging wood environment and the teachings of David. From 6 to 17 we all had an absolutely fantastic day. It was so relaxed that we all lost track of time and before we knew it the day was over.
David's passion and experience is one thing, but how he interacted with our children, and talked with them was amazing to see. Everyone wants to go back again and I'm sure we will.
You can pay the same money or more to take you family to canned entertainment like theme parks or sightseeing in London, but you will never forget an experience like this. Everyone will take something away from it and the memories will last longer than standing in a queue for 60 minutes for a 2 minute roller coaster.
Thanks David!
David's passion and experience is one thing, but how he interacted with our children, and talked with them was amazing to see. Everyone wants to go back again and I'm sure we will.
You can pay the same money or more to take you family to canned entertainment like theme parks or sightseeing in London, but you will never forget an experience like this. Everyone will take something away from it and the memories will last longer than standing in a queue for 60 minutes for a 2 minute roller coaster.
Thanks David!
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
claire
Desford, UK2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I can't actually find fault with it at all.
Communication pre (and post) course was excellent. The preparation, structure and content was spot on - structured but with a little room for flexibility. I'm in the process of completing my level 3 Forest School and was interested in making Gluten free bread. David was kind enough to pull that into the day too, alongside the routine bread. My husband came along with me even though it's not something he ever would have thought of doing, - have just asked him what he thought: Interesting, very personal, and very instructive. I expected bits of food throughout the day but didn't expect to be fed as well as we were.
Communication pre (and post) course was excellent. The preparation, structure and content was spot on - structured but with a little room for flexibility. I'm in the process of completing my level 3 Forest School and was interested in making Gluten free bread. David was kind enough to pull that into the day too, alongside the routine bread. My husband came along with me even though it's not something he ever would have thought of doing, - have just asked him what he thought: Interesting, very personal, and very instructive. I expected bits of food throughout the day but didn't expect to be fed as well as we were.
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, so pleased you both enjoyed the experience, wishing you well with you Forest School leadership, and hoping you can put what you learnt into practice, and the GF bread. Many thanks
Written 6 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul H
6 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We had a wonderful Feast and Fire day in June 2023.
David is an extremely knowledgeable and relaxed host who loves to share his enthusiasm for camp craft and cooking.
We were happily occupied for the whole day from almost 10-5 but never felt rushed and finished with some very satisfying results (baked bread, grilled trout and pot roast lamb).
The small group (4 in total) made it very convivial yet maintaining the quietness and isolation of the woods.
Definitely inspired to apply what I have learnt. Now looking for a piece of lawn to dig up.
David is an extremely knowledgeable and relaxed host who loves to share his enthusiasm for camp craft and cooking.
We were happily occupied for the whole day from almost 10-5 but never felt rushed and finished with some very satisfying results (baked bread, grilled trout and pot roast lamb).
The small group (4 in total) made it very convivial yet maintaining the quietness and isolation of the woods.
Definitely inspired to apply what I have learnt. Now looking for a piece of lawn to dig up.
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind review - I'm so pleased you enjoyed the experience, and have fun digging up some lawn, building a campfire and cooking al fresco 🙂
Written 15 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Oliver
3 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
I had a great day on David’s Fire by Friction course! Although it was wet rainy, David had tarps up, a warm fire, kettle and everything ready to go when we got to his woodland campsite. David makes using a bow drill appear so effortless and graceful… I needn’t have worried it would be too easy, though! It wasn’t, I struggled, and fortunately, David was very supportive, and with help I managed to get several embers… more importantly (for me), I left the course better prepared to develop and practice my bow drill technique on my own (& with a couple of kits we made during the day). If you want to learn how to make fire by friction I heartily recommend a day with David.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks - rubbing those sticks together to make fire isn't as easy as it sometimes looks, you did fab, and I'm really pleased you enjoyed the experience 🙂
Written 15 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul G
2 contributions
May 2023
What an amazing day!! From learning wood crafting techniques to identifying different of trees and cooking lunch over an open fire. If you are thinking about doing something like this, just book it. David's passion for nature and wood crafting is obvious from the first welcome. His knowledge is exceptional and it felt more like a day in nature with a group of friends that a learning experience. I'll be making a booking to take the whole family with me next time. Thanks David!
Written 24 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovely to read - thank you so much for your kind review, so appreciated and pleased you enjoyed the experience 🙂
Written 15 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ambassador401672
1 contribution
Apr 2023
Excellent day out, learned a huge amount : foraging, fire making techniques, tarps, hammocks, knots, bread making. Spent the day with David with my daughter and we had a great day. His teaching style is calm and the right mixture of telling and doing. Chat GTP is wrong, ‘apparently excellent’ should just be excellent! Thank you David
Written 23 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Excellent - thank you so much, that made me laugh, your review is much appreciated 🙂
Written 15 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynda H
Amersham, UK58 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
And will definitely be back. Thanks for a fun day, interesting and informative. David very helpful to those of us (me!), who are not quite grasping the Knots! Felt very tired after all that fresh air and concentration. My first time ever climbing into a Hammock. Didn't fall out.
Written 18 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brilliant - thank you for you fab review (sorry for the delay in reply), so pleased you enjoyed the experience 🙂
Written 15 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephen M
8 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
What a wonderful way to spend a brisk Saturday in early Spring!! I was gifted the Fire and Feast experience by my wife and I’m now in her debt, as this was a really enjoyable day!! David is knowledgeable, considerate of his guests and above all a very interesting man to listen to and learn from. This wasn’t roughing it, this was enjoying being out in nature, using simple tools to make things comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend not just the Fire and Feast day, but any of David’s experiences in the outdoors. I’m looking at his calendar already to see what else I can enjoy!! A thoroughly enjoyable day out!!
Written 6 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your kind review - apologises for the delayed reply. So pleased you enjoyed your Fire and Feast experience 🙂
Written 15 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
VT
1 contribution
May 2021
I went with friends back in May 2021 and even though I was already excited for the experience, the day surpassed my expectations. It was a really educational day, David is a natural teacher/leader and made us all feel comfortable and involved. Amazing that he caters to extra needs. So nice to be in nature (felt very cathartic!) whilst learning new skills.
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So sorry for the delayed reply - but loving your review, many thanks, so pleased you enjoyed the experience 🙂
Written 15 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lolanjohn
Leeds8 contributions
Mar 2022
Bought this experience as "something different" to do on a Satruday...and it certainly was. I was amazed how knowledgeable David was not to mention patient & well organised. A born teacher. The day flew by and before I knew it I'd managed to build and light a fire AND prepare a feast over it. Well worth the money and a really unique and original present for someone and/or family. Loved it.
Written 28 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your lovely review - apologises for the delay in reply! So nice to read, and much appreciated 🙂
Written 15 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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