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© Emma Goldsmith / Small Woods Association
From the moment you pick up a traditional hand tool or trace the grain of freshly felled wood, you’ll be transported. Green woodworking lets us step back thousands of years, connecting us to the communities who used their local woodland to make sustainable everyday items.
Today, it’s a rewarding way to feel more connected to your local woodland. Discover what you can craft on a course near you.
In many ways, green woodworkers were the original conservationists, as they used local materials in a renewable and sustainable way.
Green woodworking makes products from recently felled timber that’s not been seasoned. The timber is easier to work than dry, seasoned timber and can be worked with traditional hand tools.
The craft was once much more common in our woodlands, where many specialist craftspeople made everyday products such as fencing, homeware and furniture in the woods.
Now we must pass on these skills to future generations before they’re lost.
© Emma Goldsmith / Small Woods Association
Our green woodworking courses are open to anyone aged over 18, and we particularly encourage local people who live in the Low Weald and South Downs to join a course.
We’re keen to welcome conservation group volunteers, who can put these skills into action in the woodlands they look after.
Artist's Charcoal Making - Session 2
Thursday 5 November 2026, 12pm - 2pm, Lag Wood, Hassocks
Join us to learn how to make artist's charcoal in an ancient woodland, and find out more about the special woodlands of the Low Weald and Downs.
The course will demonstrate a small-scale technique that produces a wonderful and sustainable art material.
Fee: £20
Please note this course is not suitable for children.
Lag Wood is a ten minute walk from Hassocks train station for those using public transport.
Artist's Charcoal Making - Session 1
Thursday 5 November 2026, 10am - 12pm, Lag Wood, Hassocks
Join us to learn how to make artist's charcoal in an ancient woodland, and find out more about the special woodlands of the Low Weald and Downs.
The course will demonstrate a small-scale technique that produces a wonderful and sustainable art material.
Fee: £20
Please note this course is not suitable for children.
Lag Wood is a ten minute walk from Hassocks train station for those using public transport.
Make a split hazel 'swallow's nest' basket
Date: 10 August 2026
Location: Sussex Wildlife Trust, Henfield
Fee: £85
Learn how to make a split hazel 'swallow's nest' basket which is a mini version of the traditional 'whisket'. Split Hazel Basketry is classified as critically endangered by the Heritage Crafts Association so you'll also be helping to keep these skills alive!
You will be shown all of the techniques to prepare and assemble the components for your basket, straight from rods of hazel, with a minimum of tools.
Important information
Tutor: Lewis Goldwater
We’re busy developing our full programme of course dates and locations. For now, please get in touch to find out more or join a waiting list.
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