Into the Wild · Wildcrafts
Wild Owl Woods · Ancient Crafts
Into the Wild · Wildcrafts
Wild Owl Woods · Ancient Crafts
Wild Owl Woods · Into the Wild
Wild Owl Woods
The Wildcrafts village is an ancient world brought back to life for the weekend, set just outside the entrance to Wild Owl Woods — beside the woods, not within them. Master craftspeople share skills that connect us to thousands of years of human knowledge — all within the shade of the West Sussex woodland.
Guided by expert smith Simon Summers — experimental archaeologist, consultant and tutor specialising in Celtic (Iron Age) La Tène culture, repoussé and forge works. Meet Simon and book his master class specials below.
The very oldest craft. Learn to shape flint into tools and blades as our ancestors did — an extraordinary meditation on patience, skill and the nature of stone.
Weave baskets and vessels from materials gathered that morning. Natural, tactile and deeply satisfying — take your creation home at the end.
Create wearable art from woodland materials — stone pendants, soapstone carving, bone and seed adornments. Beautiful, personal, wild.
Guided walks through the surrounding landscape identifying edible plants, fungi and flowers. Leave knowing the woodland pantry that surrounds us always.
Prepare tinctures, balms and tisanes from wild-gathered herbs. The old pharmacopeia of the hedgerow, made new again — knowledge to take into everyday life.
Bow-drill, hand-drill, flint and steel — master the ancient art of fire from friction. No lighters, no matches. Just skill, patience and the dry tinder of the woodland floor.
Traditional longbow archery with qualified instructors. Find stillness, focus and the satisfaction of the arrow finding its mark among the trees.
Morning practices in the glade — both movement traditions to begin the day rooted and open. Suitable for all experience levels.
The Forge · Celtic Blacksmithing
Learn from expert & award winning smith Simon Summers at his forge, set on a separate part of the Estate — the private woodland of the ancient Iron Age Fort. Simon was filmed for the TV series Edwardian Farm, where he designed and handcrafted a copper weather vane, among other projects. This is a rare chance to hand forge steel and form copper using ancient artistic methods with a specialist craftsman in his field.
Through Into The Wild, participants can book to gain a unique opportunity to experience the Iron Age Fort, part of the Estate, the private woodland where Simon's hand-built forge is situated — along with access to his master class specials in Copper Repoussé and Blacksmithing. Places are limited, so book ideally in advance.
Book a MasterclassRest & Restore
Deep in the Wild Owl Woods lies the Enchanted Glade — a sanctuary of wood-fired saunas, steaming hot tubs and skilled hands. Book a massage, soak beneath the canopy, let the woodland restore you.
Sauna · Hot Tubs · Massage · Bodywork
For the Little Ones
Children are at home in Wild Owl Woods. Fairy treasure trails wind through the trees. God’s eye making, drum circles, nature discovery — and the wide-eyed wonder of children learning that the world is extraordinary.
In partnership with Project Rewild & Primal Trail