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 five 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
Things were not as we anticipated this year!
However here’s hoping for a more predictable and productive 2022, dates for spring and summer 2022 will be added shortly, please feel free to contact us directly to discuss courses next year.
The remaining dates and availability 2021 are given below but watch this space for updates as the situation progresses.
MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS OLD AND NEW
Alasdair
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!
2021
One Day Course Dates, Introduction to pole lathing
May 14th FULLY BOOKED
May 29th FULLY BOOKED
June 5th FULLY BOOKED
September 19th FULLY BOOKED
October 30th FULLY BOOKED
November 20th-21st 1 SPACES REMAINING
December 11th-12th 1 SPACES REMAINING
Two Day Course Dates, Simply Stools, Make your own Shaving Horse or Choose two dates for the Advanced Tree to table course
May 15th-16th FULLY BOOKED
August 7th-8th FULLY BOOKED
September 19th-20th FULLY BOOKED
October 9th-10th FULLY BOOKED
November 20th-21st 2 SPACES REMAINING
December 11th-12th 3 SPACES REMAINING
Three Day Course Dates, Tree to Table.
April 24th-25th-26th FULLY BOOKED
August 7th-8th-9th FULLY BOOKED
November 21st-22nd-23rd 2 SPACES REMAINING
Four Day Course Dates.
Book exclusively on a date that suits you, contact us directly to arrange your course.
Chair Making Course.
DATES TO BE CONFIRMED. Please contact us for details
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…
Thanks to Alastair and Simon for a brilliant three day course. Amazing location, excellent workshop and great teaching. Fantastic experience with traditional tools and my own unique table to take home. Highly recommended.
Andrew Davey
Did a great 1 day "introduction to pole lathing" course with Alasdair in August. Went through the whole process from log to rolling pin using axe, draw knife and turning chisel. Alasdair's experience covers everything from woodland management to green woodworking, so there's not much he doesn't know about wood. Definitely recommend this course and I can imagine the other courses he does will be equally enjoyable and informative.
Richard Lewis
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
We asked Alasdair to make a custom bench for Mums birthday and he was brilliant, great updates all the way through the build and the finished result is excellent! We would highly recommend. Thanks again Alasdair
Tom Baker
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