Little Acorn Furniture offers courses in Green Woodworking and rustic furniture making ranging from one to five days in duration. No experience is needed and families are welcome so come along and learn some new skills whilst having a great time.
Try something new suitable for all the family. You can experience traditional woodworking using methods and tools unchanged since the medieval period. Make your own furniture from local wood and experience life as a woodland craftsman with little acorn furniture near Clifford Bridge on the edge of Fingle wood.
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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. -
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.
Course dates
All of the courses for 2021 are now fully booked and we are very much back in business. COVID has subtly changed the way we operate and it is now more than ever about your experience, enjoyment and safety.
2022 Dates for spring and summer are shown below, please feel free to contact us directly to discuss courses next year.
Bookings can still be made by selecting to arrange your course at a later date.
MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS OLD AND NEW
Alasdair
For full details of each course including prices and to make your booking please go to the specific course page from the courses menu.
Courses are organized throughout the year and can be arranged to suit you if booking for a group of three or more.
Family “Greenwood” day and “One to one” tuition.
These days can be arranged exclusively to suit you and your family. Please contact us to arrange your course date!
Table Making Course, and Group bookings
Book exclusively on dates that suit you, contact us directly to arrange your course.
2022 DATES
One Day Course Dates, Introduction to pole lathing
Feb 19th – full
March 4th – 5 spaces
April 9th – full
May 19th – 5 spaces
June 4th – 5 spaces
Two Day Course Dates, Simply Stools, Make your own Shaving Horse.
Feb 19th-20th – full
March 26th-27th – full
April 9th-10th – full
April 27th-28th – 4 spaces remaining
May 7th-8th – 4 spaces remaining
July 23rd-24th – 5 spaces
Three Day Course Dates, Tree to Table.
March 26th-27th-28th – full
April 27th-28th-29th – 4 spaces remaining
May 7th-8th-9th – 5 spaces
July 23rd-24th-25th – 5 spaces
Chair Making Course.
March 25th-28th – full
May 7th-10th – 4 spaces remaining
About the workshop
Little Acorn Furnitures Green Wood work shop has been developed in the Old Sheep Barn at Clifford Barton, which is located on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. The Farm now hosts family holiday cottages and courses, as well as providing a home for rescued dwarf ponies.
Surrounded by beautiful Devon coutryside and the breathtaking Fingle Wood, the workshop provides a covered area where the courses can take place. However, there is also a large outside area overlooking the Valley where we hope to enjoy the fantastic Devon sunshine!
What our customers say…
Really enjoyed my intro to pole lathing course-was great to enjoy the whole process from log to finished product. Alasdair was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about his craft and made us feel very welcome.
Matt Hamilton
Wonderful work on a commission for a special birthday. Documented and photographed from start with cutting the wood, making the top and legs to assembling and final polishing. If you want something special I can not recommend them highly enough. I will be going back for more individual pieces of furniture to be hand made.
Hazel Payne
Had a Great day at Little Acorn Furniture...had a different requested for Alasdair.
I wanted to do some wood carving.... and make a bowl.
Alasdair found me some spalted beech.
Ended with a lovely looking bowl, my wife loves it .
Chuffed to bits with it.
Really reccomend a course with him.
Jez Heath
I chose the 'Simply Stools' course and had great fun making one out of
a beautiful piece of Yew (for a soft wood, not that soft!) and Ash. Alasdair is an excellent teacher, informative, patient and passionate about his craft. All aspects of the wood and woodworking were explained and I also found out a great deal about sustainable forestry and conservation. The course takes place in a wonderful setting overlooking the spectacular Teign Valley and the forest which provides the material used. A thoroughly enjoyable experience and I would highly recommend it.
Simon Rippingale
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