Course List - Little Acorn Furniture

Family “greenwood” experience
Alasdair will take you through the basic principles of Green Woodworking and provide the knowledge, tools and materials needed to get you using a pole lathe. Turn as many items as you like using a variety of local hard woods and unlock the full potential of this ancient craft.
Introduction to pole lathing
During this one or two day course, you will get to practice the principles of green woodworking: cleaving and shaping the wood using side axe and draw knife before turning on a pole lathe to produce a range of items - as long as it is round!
Simply stools
This two-day course offers you the chance to produce a simple three or four legged stool with hard wood top and turned or draw knifed legs.
From tree to table
This three day course gives you time to produce a table or bench with stretchered legs using more advanced techniques. The addition of stretchers between the legs allows you to make larger items with more refinement.
Table making course
This four-day course gives you time to explore the intricacies of green wood furniture design to produce a dramatic and unique piece of furniture of your own design.
Chair making course
Over this full four day course you will make and assemble a complete chair from local Ash and Beech. Choosing from one of two traditional designs you will be responsible for shaping all components and joining therm using traditional wedged mortice and tenon joints
Make your own shaving horse
In order to make a traditional shaving horse you will need a pole lathe, in order to use a pole lathe a shaving horse is essential. Get around this catch 22 situation by making your very own shaving horse over two days in Alasdair's fully equipped Greenwood workshop.
Handle making and tool restoration
This is a one day course aimed at giving you the basic knowledge and skills required to make a tool handle of any sore from green Ash. Be it an axe, hammer, chisel or spade you can restore personalise and bring back to life any old tool. We will go back to the days when things were done 'proper' and a tool handle could last a lifetime of use.
Cleft hurdle gate making
Discover the ancient art of gate making using authentic traditional tools and techniques. Using the true nature of the wood to ensure both beauty and strength, start with a freshly cut log and explore the entire process of cleaving , shaping and jointing.
One-to-one tuition
Work and learn at your own pace - receive uninterrupted expert tuition in the art of green wood furniture making and have exclusive access to the range of hardwoods available in the workshop.

Our Courses

Family “greenwood” experience
Alasdair will take you through the basic principles of Green Woodworking and provide the knowledge, tools and materials needed to get you using a pole lathe. Turn as many items as you like using a variety of local hard woods and unlock the full potential of this ancient craft.
Introduction to pole lathing
During this one or two day course, you will get to practice the principles of green woodworking: cleaving and shaping the wood using side axe and draw knife before turning on a pole lathe to produce a range of items - as long as it is round!
Simply stools
This two-day course offers you the chance to produce a simple three or four legged stool with hard wood top and turned or draw knifed legs.
From tree to table
This three day course gives you time to produce a table or bench with stretchered legs using more advanced techniques. The addition of stretchers between the legs allows you to make larger items with more refinement.
Table making course
This four-day course gives you time to explore the intricacies of green wood furniture design to produce a dramatic and unique piece of furniture of your own design.
Chair making course
Over this full four day course you will make and assemble a complete chair from local Ash and Beech. Choosing from one of two traditional designs you will be responsible for shaping all components and joining therm using traditional wedged mortice and tenon joints
Make your own shaving horse
In order to make a traditional shaving horse you will need a pole lathe, in order to use a pole lathe a shaving horse is essential. Get around this catch 22 situation by making your very own shaving horse over two days in Alasdair's fully equipped Greenwood workshop.
Handle making and tool restoration
This is a one day course aimed at giving you the basic knowledge and skills required to make a tool handle of any sore from green Ash. Be it an axe, hammer, chisel or spade you can restore personalise and bring back to life any old tool. We will go back to the days when things were done 'proper' and a tool handle could last a lifetime of use.
Cleft hurdle gate making
Discover the ancient art of gate making using authentic traditional tools and techniques. Using the true nature of the wood to ensure both beauty and strength, start with a freshly cut log and explore the entire process of cleaving , shaping and jointing.
One-to-one tuition
Work and learn at your own pace - receive uninterrupted expert tuition in the art of green wood furniture making and have exclusive access to the range of hardwoods available in the workshop.

What our customer’s say…

Just completed the 2 day 'Simply Stools' course. Literally amazing!! The level of tuition was fantastic and delivered in a friendly, warm and relaxed environment. Alasdair's love for his craft and all things forestry is so apparent in the way he teaches it's infectious. Alasdair very reluctantly had to disappear for a couple hours on our first day due to a Woodland Trust event and left us whittling and side axing away under the close supervision of Sy, his quiet but incredibly talented 'assistant'. Absolute legend and a mean pole lather!! Definately got a repeat customer here! Left proper chuffed with a new stool and a new friend. Keep it up Little Acorn 👌🏻

Stuart Maher

We had 2 fantastic days with Alastair and Simon creating 3 shave horses. We had such fun and chat whilst learning green woodworking skills and appreciation for our environment. We certainly learnt great respect for the green wood furniture makers of the past. I would unreservedly recommend this course.

tony watson

We shared a fantastic weekend with Alastair, Simon and Joel making some wonderful hand crafted stools with a great mix of humour, help and encouragement. The workshop is situated in beautiful Dartmoor countryside giving the opportunity to create our own designs from techniques dating back hundreds of years using hand tools and a dose of elbow grease. Alastair has a flexible approach and encourages you to do as much of the work as you can with a bit of hand holding where needed. Overall an unforgettable experience turning a felled tree into a finished piece of furniture over two busy days.

Steve Bessant

Our experience at Little Acorn Furniture exceeded every expectation we had. I found Alasdair online while looking for a furniture course to book for our honeymoon and despite living in London LAF stood out as the best and only option. After many long discussions with Alasdair we agreed on a three day course to make a three meter long bespoke dining table from one piece of chestnut. Alasdair was so enthusiastic and even though he knew the sheer amount of work involved he didn’t try to change our minds once. Exceptionally kindly Alasdair offered to give the course to us alone for our honeymoon and this made it even more special. LAF is nestled into an exceptionally beautiful part of the world, right in a valley in the Dartmoor National Park, utterly tranquil and charming. It was so lovely to spend time in the forest and really get a feel for how sustainable and authentic the experience of taking a tree and working it into a table can be. Alasdair and Simon were the perfect pair, they explained everything clearly and demonstrated techniques in an accessible way. What was really impressive was Alasdair’s approach, he really wanted US to make the table and wanted our hands to have made every single component, this made the experience for us. We had wanted to include some ambitious elements and although it was challenging Alasdair was entirely supportive and ensured we got the finish and details we had envisaged. After three days we had a dining room table big enough to seat ten people comfortably made from two pieces of wood, one chestnut slab and one log of cherry. We wanted to create something bespoke and sustainable so the fact we had minimal to no waste was really special. Alasdair and Simon have helped us to create something we can keep and use forever, we are so thankful. There is no way we could have had a more rewarding or enjoyable honeymoon. Please support this wonderful business, you will not be disappointed.

Kirsty Pritchard

Special present from my son. A brilliant two day experience. The total weekend was great fun, really interesting and a real experience. Tea to start the day then a root around to find a suitable stool top that we each liked the look of. Then a bit of history behind greenwood working. The recently felled log was then produced which we split in half then into quarters. That was a coat off job even in December. A explanation of the next stage of making a rough leg shape came next and how to use the various hand tools. There's always someone to help or offer advice. Using the various hand tool was fantastic and it was the same kind of tools and same methods used back in history hundreds of years ago. The whole process was really absorbing which meant you where able to focus entirely on the three legged stool you are making or discussing each others plans or components. By the end of the two days we had each produced a three legged stool which we were very happy with. Can't wait to move on to another course with Little Acorn Furniture.

John O'Neill

We had an amazing experience wood turning with Alasdair. His workshop is a very very special place! He is incredibly knowledgable about the entire process and a fantastic teacher - I would wholeheartedly recommend doing a course with him!

JO HARMAN - Official

Took 5 children along to learn carpentry. They all had an amazing time, each made a sword and a baseball bat (their choice). They did everyhthing from sawing the wood to shaping it. Alisdair was so good with them and made sure they each left with finished items. My son who has ADHD was engaged from the start and cannot wait to go again. The parents also had a go and really enjoyed the day too.

Elaine Russell

Had a fantastic day pole lathing with Alasdair and Simon. The course was excellent value for the day and there was a great ratio with a small group. Would recommend to anyone, I had an absolutely brilliant day!

Will Silver

Little Acorn Furniture is an experience to be remembered. The level of knowledge on all things to do with woodworking to forestry management was exemplary. That knowledge and enthusiasm rubs off on all students on the courses and provides a very enjoyable atmosphere. The team as so accommodating to your needs and really get to know your quirks and aspirations for your project and do all they can to help. The setting is great, the structure great and I would highly recommend Little Acorn furniture whether you have no experience of woodworking to being skilled. Great weekend course and will be back again for sure.

Sam Howell

I would highly recommend the shaving course run by Little Acorn Furniture. The course, which is week run by Alasdair, teaches you how to make a shaving horse which you take away with you, and how to use a pole lathe. The facilities provided are good and the support and tuition given is excellent. Alasdair is ably supported by Simon who complements the course. Thank you Alasdair for an enjoyable course.

ian stainer