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.
If you wish to purchase a course as a gift we are able to provide printable gift vouchers up until the 22nd of December. Gift cards and vouchers can be ordered for postage up until the 19th of December. If you would like to visit our shop page and purchase a gift box to accompany your course these must be ordered before the 15th of December to arrive before Christmas. Please be sure to include the correct postal address for the gift with your order.
Merry Christmas from Little Acorn Furniture,
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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. -
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.
Course dates
2022 dates for spring and summer are shown below, please feel free to contact us directly to discuss courses next year. COVID has subtly changed the way we operate and it is now more than ever about your experience, enjoyment and safety.
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.
2023 DATES NEW
One Day Course Dates, Introduction to Pole Lathing, Handle making, Introduction to Hurdle gates.
January 28th 2 places remaining
February 4th 2 places remaining
February 11th 1 place remaining
March 9th 2 places remaining
April 15th Fully booked
May 20th 3 places remaining
July 24th 4 places remaining
Two Day Course Dates, Simply Stools, Make your own Shaving Horse, Hurdle gate making.
January 28th – 29th 2 places remaining
February 4th – 5th 2 places remaining
February 11th – 12th 1 place remaining
March 9th – 10th 2 places remaining
April 15th – 16th Fully booked
May 20th – 21st 3 places remaining
July 24th – 25th 3 places remaining
Three Day Course Dates, Tree to Table.
January 27th – 29th 2 places remaining
February 11th – 13th 1 place remaining
March 23rd – 25th 2 places remaining
April 15th – 17th Fully booked
July 24th – 26th 3 places remaining
Chair Making Course.
March 23rd – 26th 2 places remaining
July 24th – 27th 3 places 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…
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 LewisWe 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 MooneyWhat a great way to spend a day. This was my first foray into the field of working with green wood and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I attended the introduction to pole lathing course along with four other keen participants. Alasdair and Simon were brilliant teachers – enthusiastic, knowledgeable and patient. Over a period of 6 hours a tree trunk of ash was turned into an assortment of beautiful wooden items to take home. I would highly recommend the course and will be booking again in the future.
Jan WellsWe 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 BakerMy family and I recently spent an incredibly happy and gratifying time making a green wood table with Alasdair and his assistant, Simon. I cannot overstate what a special, stimulating and satisfying time it was - working together as a family; learning about the wood, the tools and the processes; and making a table which we will have forever and which will always remind us of that bonding time together. It was genuinely one of the most harmonious and fulfilling things we have ever done as a family and I would highly recommend it to anyone, however inexperienced. I have also never met two more gentle and patient teachers and craftsmen, with two more overdeveloped sets of forearms!
Alice Morgan