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 2021.
New dates and availability 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.
Below is a list of confirmed courses coming up in the next few months.
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 3 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 3 SPACES REMAINING
November 20th-21st 4 SPACES REMAINING
December 11th-12th 4 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 4 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…
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
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
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
We did the Family Greenwood Day with Alasdair with our kids (3,7,8) and it was the highlight of our trip to Devon (according to the whole family). He went out of his way to include the entire family in every project and really impressed us with his knowledge and skill (even keeping the youngest happy!) Would highly recommend these courses to families, or anyone wanting the satisfaction of making something beautiful from a log!
Hayley Mooney
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