Native Hands

Crafts, Foraging, Nature Connection

Bushcraft Courses

fire making

All Native Hands courses are essentially bushcraft, and include Natural Cordage, Netting, Fire-making, Wild Basketmaking and Wild Pottery

Courses take place in a beautiful 70 acre private woodland near Lewes in East Sussex, UK

Read about Ruby, co-founder and tutor at Native Hands, and author of Wild Basketry

    Browse All Woodland Courses

    A unique blend of in-depth practical learning and reflective connection, these courses offer a restorative time out from daily life.

    Native Hands courses are a mobile phone-free environment. For those wanting to take photos, there will be a 20 minute window of opportunity after lunch, and again at the end of the day. It’s recommended to bring a notebook and pen with you.

    Who are Native Hands courses for?

    • Anyone who wants to develop their connection to the plants and land where they live
    • You feel the need to get away from your screens and remember another way of being human
    • You’ve already learned some bushcraft / woodland crafts and want to expand your knowledge
    • You’ve learned some survival skills and now you’re keen to learn ‘thriving skills’
    • You love making things and trying new techniques and materials
    • You’re interested in learning ancestral skills and ways of relating to the living world that feel more sane
    • You’re looking for a nature-based creative activity to share with a friend or loved-one
    fire making

     Courses are also for you if:

    • You want to learn knife and fire skills
    • You long for some time out in nature, working with your hands, alongside others
    • You’re interested in making baskets sustainably from wild plants
    • You’re intrigued to learn the origins of pottery
    • You’ve read Wild Basketry and want to learn from Ruby in person
    • You just love doing stuff outdoors in the woods with likeminded people

    Courses are designed for adults, although 16-18 year olds are welcome on some courses if accompanied by a participating, responsible adult.

    Our skill-level guide gives you info about all courses, including which ones may be suitable for teens.

    You can read FAQs here

    A wonderful, and I mean REALLY wonderful day learning about bark, fire making, connecting to nature, and all the good soul-nourishing things we did. M said the workshop was one of the best birthday presents she’s ever had! A.H, Brighton

    We learned so much… yet the pace was never rushed or stressful. I was able to be more present than I usually am in my daily city life. It’s hard for your thoughts to wander when you’re waving a smoking nest of grass in your hand, watching it burst into flames! It all felt so sane, human and natural. Yasmin, Sussex

    See you in the woods!

    Featured in the Guardian lifestyle section. National Geographic & Toyota put Native Hands in their top 125 UK adventures.