UK Bushcraft and Wilderness Articles
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Plants To Forage This Summer
We’re having a pretty amazing summer so far and it’s definitely reflecting in the plant life! As much as they might be craving a little more water between these glorious sunny days the plant life has certainly come up trumps…
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Gorse Foraging Recipes
With gorse in abundance at the moment now is a great time for some gorse flower foraging. The flowers can be eaten raw added into salads or with fruit, but can also be cooked into plenty of sweet recipes too…
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What To Look For in a Bushcraft School
There are an increasing number of bushcraft course providers – which is great, as it means that more people are learning and getting stuck into bushcraft! There are also now some incredible courses on offer too, with a real variety,…
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Deciduous or Coniferous? Or Deciduous Coniferous?
If you think about it, trees dropping their leaves is a bit of a strange move. After all, the leaves are the site of photosynthesis and the main feature of the tree where energy production takes place. So why do…
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Kids and Nature
Isn’t it frustrating when you see children being discouraged from exploring – “Don’t get muddy,” “Don’t climb that tree,” “Don’t jump in the puddle!” But if kids can’t get stuck in, and engage with nature then how will they learn…
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Blackberry Recipes
With the blackberries ripening in abundance it’s good to have different ways to enjoy and store this delicious berries. Not only are blackberries easy to identify, making them a great foraging treat for even the most novice of foragers, but…
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Expedition Meals
When on expedition fuel is key. Being well fed can make all of the difference. If you haven’t eaten enough then you will fatigue, your judgement won’t be as sharp, you’ll be hungry….and it just won’t be as fun! We…
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Is Sleeping Out In Nature Really Good For You?
For those of us who are lucky enough to sleep out in the woodland environment regularly you’ll know that it improves your sleep, but what are the benefits to this? Well, the improvement in people’s sleep, when sleeping out in…
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Why Is Adventure Good For The Soul?
I know I might be preaching to the converted here, but maybe there is someone in your life who would benefit from an adventure, or maybe it’s been a while since your last adventure and you’ve forgotten that deep joy…
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Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
Wild garlic goes by many names – ramsoms, cowleek, buckrams and wide leaf garlic, just to name a few. Native to Europe and Asia this bulbous perennial flowering plant can be found growing in damp woodland. Favouring the moist and…
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Bushcraft doesn’t have to stop just because it’s winter!
For many, winter means less time outside, but it doesn’t have to stop you completely. Yes, if you are juggling work and family commitments around your time out in the woods, the reduced daylight hours can make it feel more…
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Is Bushcraft Becoming More Popular?
It’s easy to get used to the luxuries of modern life – fresh water at just the turn of a tap, heat at the touch of a button, food in abundance delivered right to your door. But what would you…
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Fox FX-140XL Knife
The Fox FX-140XL, is a beast of a knife. With a cutting edge just shy of 19cm it is certainly more Crocodile Dundee than a fine craft tool that’s for sure. The build quality is excellent and a very secure,…
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5 Sloe Recipes
Sloes are the fruit of the Blackthorn, so can be found amongst British hedgerows, woodland and scrubland. The amount of sloes found is very dependant on the weather in the spring and summer before they are ripe. If the weather…
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Beech Tree
The Beech is a genus of deciduous trees in the Fagaceae family. A common sight amongst established woodland, hedgerows and parkland, especially through the South East of England. Beech trees prefer a slightly damp environment with well drained soil, but…
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Natural Tinder
In the world of bushcraft, fire is an essential element. It provides warmth, light, a means of cooking, and the ability to purify water. One of the key skills to master in bushcraft is the art of starting a fire…
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Ways To Stay Cool
We’ve been having some impressive summer weather recently. Nice if you can sit and relax. But what about those of us who work out in it? Or what if you are on expedition? And is it REALLY that important to…
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But what is Foraging?
In a survival situation foraging is obviously an essential skill, so it is good to have a deep understanding of what is safe to eat, where to find it and when it’s in season. But in a non-survival situation foraging…
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5 Tasty Nettle Recipes
Nettles are packed with nutrients, especially high in beneficial vitamins and minerals – Vitamins A, B Complex, C & K, along with Potassium, Calcium and Iron. The best nettles to forage are the young leaves in spring. They are far…
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Choosing a Sleeping Bag
The humble sleeping bag. Often overlooked, under appreciated, but a very valuable piece of kit. Get it right and you have a warm, restful night to recharge for the next day of adventures. But get it wrong, and wow! You’re…
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Mistletoe
Mistletoe features in Druid, Greek and Norse mythology in varied connotations but kissing under the mistletoe links back to the plant being a symbol of fertility. Hanging the plant in your doorway was said to bring a fertile and prosperous…
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Silver Birch
The distinctive Silver Birch (Betula pendula) is not only a beautiful sight amongst the woodland, heath and plantations, but it has some fantastic bushcraft uses too. Its distinctive white/silver bark that gives it its name, and makes it easy to…
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Camping In Winter
Just because the seasons have changed doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Camping in winter, whether in a tent, under a tarp or in a natural shelter can be just as much fun as sleeping out in the warmer…
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Ten Winter Forage-ables
After the abundance of Summer and Autumn, Winter can seem a little sparse before Spring’s burst of life. But don’t despair, there are some tasty winter forage-ables out there, you just need to know where to look. Some of late…
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Why Should We Go Outside More?
Life can get busy. There’s so much to fit in to our everyday. And now we have to prioritise time in nature? But why should we go outside? Without realising it, we can get pulled inside more and more. With…
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Sleeping Bag Care
So you’ve finally found your perfect sleeping bag. You’ve had some of your best night’s sleep in it. It’s been to great places, you’ve carried it, you’ve thrown it into your hammock without a second thought. But if you don’t…
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Cooking On A rock- What we’ve learnt so far
Cooking on a rock over the campfire can give an extra dynamic to your food. It gives an extra level of flavour and gives other options for cooking a variety of foods that you can’t cook directly on the fire….
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Foraging In Summer
We are now well and truly into the summer months and the vegetation all around us seems to be thriving. Amongst the woodland, hedgerows and incredible plant life on your adventures, there are edible delights all around, which makes foraging…
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Night Navigation Tips For Beginners
Even the best-laid plans can go wrong. Your Night Navigation tips can end up being out longer than planned and need to find your way home, or back to camp in the dark. Maybe someone get injure, the conditions were…
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Making It Comfy
We’ve all met people who will adamantly say “No way, you won’t get me sleeping outdoors.” Or people who think you’re mad, not only because you sleep outside, but that you actually enjoy it then you should be making it…
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Campfire Pizza on a Rock
It’s a cold crisp day at the end of winter. The branches are still bare but some green shoots are now starting to show, indicating spring is just around the corner, a welcome sight. Walking along the edge of the…
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Coppicing Woodland
Coppicing is a woodland management practice that dates back to the Neolithic era. This method was used to keep a good source of wood that could be relied upon year after year in rotational patches. By the middle ages the…
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Hazel (Corylus avellana)
The Hazel tree is a common sight across the UK. Favouring non-acidic moist soil it is usually found in parkland, hedgerows and woodland. Hazel thrives within woodland where it forms the understory. This native deciduous tree is from the Betulaceae…
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Tomahawk Steak on Rock
Time in the woods is good for your soul. And time in the woods with great food? Well that is just pure medicine. Today is definitely a day to head out. It’s mid winter, the sky is clear, the sun…
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Steak on a Slate
Food cooked on the campfire always tastes great. But it’s good to experiment. It’s good to try different foods and different ways of cooking them too, but still on the fire of course. So this week I’ve been cooking steak…
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Hot Rock Cooking – Pancakes
Hot Rock Cooking Pancakes with Smoked Crispy Bacon This blog post accompanies our YouTube channel where you can watch this delectable dish unfold before your very eyes! Heading in to the woods is good for your headspace. Whether you are…
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5 Signs of Spring
5 Signs of Spring Winter isn’t all bad. But its sparseness can leave us craving the burst of life and colour that spring brings. Though spring officially start in March, signs of spring start to emerge from January into February…
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Hawthorn
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna & Crataegus laevigata) From the Rosaceae family, the native Hawthorn can be found in hedgerows, woodland and scrubland across the United Kingdom. Growing to 15 metres at maturity this thorny hedgerow tree is easily identifiable. Hawthorn thrives…
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Sweet Chestnut (Castanae sativa)
Sweet Chestnut (Castanae sativa) The Sweet Chestnut is a long lived deciduous giant, found in woodlands across the UK. Known for its edible nuts and solid wood, it is thought that it was the Romans who introduced this iconic tree…
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Yew Tree (Taxus baccata)
Yew Tree (Taxus baccata) The Yew tree is a long lived evergreen native to the UK. Reaching up to 20m at maturity this is deemed to be a medium tree which supports many species of wildlife whilst providing a dense…
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Hypothermia
Hypothermia Hypothermia is classed as a medical emergency and occurs when the body loses heat faster then it can produce heat. It is obviously best to stay warm and aim to prevent hypothermia but none of us are immune, and…
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Dehydration In Winter
Dehydration In Winter Dehydration only happens in summer, right? Wrong! Dehydration can certainly be a problem in the warmer summer weather, but equally it is an issue as the temperature drops during the winter months too, but why? In the…
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Making a Bow Drill Set
Making a Bow Drill Set Being able to create fire by friction is a fundamental skill in bushcraft. Not only is it a fire lighting method that has been used for thousands of years but is a technique that could…
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Introducing Your Family To Bushcraft
Introducing Your Family To Bushcraft Daily family life can be hectic. Rushing to work, school runs, clubs, pressures from bosses and meeting family needs can leave you all stressed and frazzled. Fitting in quality family time, away from screens and…
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Coastal Foraging
Coastal Foraging To forage is to search widely for food and sustenance, but our search shouldn’t just be limited to the green environments of woodland and meadows, and being as we live on an island it makes great sense to…
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Basic Axe Care
Basic Axe Care The axe is an essential bit of kit, whether you’re heading out to the woods for the day or off on expedition. Having an axe with you is the difference between being able stay warm and cook…
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Canoeing and Bushcraft
Canoeing and Bushcraft The strong link between canoeing and bushcraft has been around for generations. Initially relied upon as a main mode of transport, canoeing for many indigenous people was a part of daily life. Often made out of birch…
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Family Bushcraft
Introducing Your Family To Bushcraft Daily family life can be hectic. Rushing to work, school runs, clubs, pressures from bosses and meeting family needs can leave you all stressed and frazzled. Fitting in quality family time, away from screens and…
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Signs of Spring
Signs of Spring We are all looking forward to spring more than ever before. Having had another lockdown, but this time through the darkest bleakest part of the year, the thought of longer warmer days and nature bursting into life…
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Bushcraft Coffee
Bushcraft Coffee If there is one thing that makes campfire bushcraft coffee taste even better, it’s drinking it in the woods. Coffee made over the campfire just tastes so much better. Here at Wildway we have perfected the art of…
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Wild Summer Edibles
10 Wild Summer Edibles As we continue to navigate our way through this strange and crazy year, even more of us are finding solace in the great outdoors and learning the benefits of foraging wild summer edibles. Whether heading off…
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Indoor Bushcraft
Indoor Bushcraft- 5 Things To Do Right Now This is a tricky time for all of us, we are doing the right thing by staying home and staying safe. Only venturing out once a day for your daily exercise can…
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Spring Edibles To Forage
Spring Edibles To Forage After the gloom of winter the early spring edibles to forage are a welcome sight. After a period of slim pickings during the winter months you can start to gather some highly nutritious edibles from February…
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Comfort Zone
10 Reasons To Step Out Of Our Comfort Zone Our comfort zone is cosy and safe, right? It gives us a sense of familiarity, safety and security. This is an adaptation to help keep us safe, but it’s also starting…
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Norway Spruce
Norway Spruce (Picea abies) The festive Norway Spruce, as the name may indicate, is a non-native species here in the UK. Introduced from Scandinavia in the 1800’s, this distinctive evergreen was originally bought over for forestry. Grown for its use…
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Poo, Prints & Pawmarks
Poo, Prints and Paw Marks Heading out into the woods, whether to set up camp, or to simply explore can be a great opportunity to escape the fast pace of modern life. Peace and quiet as well as time to…
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The Oak
The English Oak The English Oak (Qurcus Robus) is a common sight across the UK and has a strong link with our heritage. This large, long living tree is found mainly in the northern hemisphere. There are approximately 600 different…
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Kids Outdoors In Winter
How To Get Kids Your Outdoors This Winter Getting kids outdoors can sometimes be harder than expected. When you’re all inside your home, in the warm, it’s often hard to encourage reluctant members of the family to come outside and…
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Identifying Trees In Winter
Identifying Trees In Winter- A Beginner’s Guide The most common way to identify trees is by looking at their leaves. We do it without even realising it, after all, it’s hard to miss the tree’s beautiful green coverage and changing…
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Expedition Snacks
Our Favourite Expedition Snacks Whether you are on a canoe expedition, on bike or on foot, if you are exerting yourself for longer periods, particularly if in extreme weather conditions, then your body will require extra nutritional support to keep…
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Foraging Nuts – Top 5
Top 5 Edible Autumn Nuts As well as a large selection of fruits growing in our woodlands at this time of year, we also shouln’t over look the amount of edile nuts avaliable for autumn foraging. Nuts are a great…
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Fruit to Forage Top 10
Top 10 Fruit to Forage This Autumn As the summer draws to a close the early autumn brings some exciting fruit to forage. Obviously before helping yourself to nature’s bounty you need to ensure you have the landowner’s permission and…
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Treat someone to a bushcraft voucher
At Wildway Bushcraft we offer a fantastic range of wilderness living and bushcraft courses. From one-day friction fire lighting courses to weekend bushcraft courses and even week-long, wilderness living experiences. Wherever you are on your bushcraft journey, Wildway Bushcraft have…
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Choosing your first bushcraft knife
The phrase ‘bushcraft knife’ is one that is occurring more and more frequently, but what does it actually mean? In this latest blog, we look at why there is no such thing as a bushcraft knife, how to choose a…
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Making your first bow drill
Learn how to make a bow drill in this blog from Wildway Bushcraft.
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Introduction to Friction Fire Lighting
Introduction to Friction Fire Lighting: Bow Drills and Hand Drills The history of friction fire lighting is bound up with the history of human civilisation. The ability to light a fire when needed provides security, warmth, the ability to…
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Wider Bushcraft Learning
Wider Bushcraft Learning At Wildway we believe that bushcraft is about more than just survival. It is not about overcoming the elements or battling with nature, it is about living in harmony with it. For both children and adults, bushcraft…
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What The Woods Meant to Our Ancestors
Bushcraft is about more than just survival. It is about living in harmony with nature. It is about understanding the natural world around you and how it can be used to your benefit and comfort. At Wildway Bushcraft, we promote…
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Cook Over an Open Fire with Your Family
There’s nothing better than being outdoors, cooking over a fire with your friends or family. There is something almost primitive in sitting around a fire and cooking. It links us with our ancient ancestors who would have been doing something…
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Tarps – 5 Top Tips For A Good Tarp Set Up
A tarp is one of the handiest pieces of kit when sleeping out in nature. Whether you are hiking, cycling or generally exploring and looking for a wild camping spot, a tarp will give you a waterproof comfortable shelter for…
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The Benefits of Being Outside
Benefits of being outside People are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of being outside. A desire to get away from it all is hardly surprising when you consider all the noise around us. The pinging of phones as emails,…
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The Indoorsy Mum
I had come up with every excuse of why we didn’t ‘need’ to go camping as a family, and yet the kids were still desperate to sleep outside in the great outdoors. I’d even tried “Why not just build a…
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More Than Just Survival
The word ‘bushcraft’ is becoming more commonly used nowadays. It is becoming associated with almost any activity that takes place in the woods or out on our moors, a by-word for campfires, tarps and cooking things on sticks. Partly due…
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Choosing wood for a bow drill
Being able to light a fire by friction, using a bow drill is often seen as one of the key bushcraft skills. In this blog, we’re going to show you how to choose the correct wood for a bow drill…
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5 Essential Knife Skills
5 Essential Knife Skills to Learn before Going Camping [GUEST BLOG] This is the first in a series of guest blogs. The author of this first guest blog is from Billy at Perkin Knives (https://perkinknives.com), custom knife makers based in the…
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Edible Plants in the UK Spring
Spring is well and truly here, despite the recent weather in certain parts of the country. With it, spring brings the chance for the keen outdoors and bushcraft enthusiast to find some of the edible plants that we have here…
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Knife Skills for Bushcraft – Feather sticks
In this blog, we’re going to be looking at knife skills for bushcraft. In particular, we will be looking at how to use a knife to make feather sticks. Feather sticks are a great fire lighting tool and can help…
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Friction Fire Lighting on Our Weekend Bushcraft Course
The ability to light a fire by friction is one of the fundamental skills of bushcraft. It is a skill which our ancestors perfected over millennia, before, sadly, losing these skills in the face of industrialization. Mastering this skill though…
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Shelter Building Basics
Shelter Building Basics – What You Need to Know Shelter building is one of the fundamentals of bushcraft. It is often more important for you to find shelter than it is to find food or water. Remember the rule of…
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The leave no trace misnomer
Wildway Bushcraft take a look at the leave no trace ethos.
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Snow Shelters to Try
It is nearly Christmas, the winter has well and truly arrived and the world seems to be hibernating. So, at this time of year, we thought that we would have a bit of fun by looking at the different types…
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Why Spending Time in Nature Is Good for Your Health
Whether you head outside for your job, your hobby or simply to explore, you’re sure to have noticed how much better being outdoors can make you feel. Feeling the wind on your face, the sound of the rain or the…
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Making the Most of Your Stove in Winter
After a hard day walking in winter conditions, there is nothing better than a hot brew. That’s why, in this blog, we will be looking at how to make the most of your stove in winter conditions. When we’re looking…
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Choosing Clothing for Winter Camping In The UK
In this week’s blog, we will be looking at clothing to keep you warm in winter. There are a huge number of manufacturers out there, each offering a vast, and often confusing, array of garments for winter. With this in…
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Considerations When Camping In Winter
In this week’s blog, we’re going to be taking a look at camping in the winter. Specifically, we are going to be looking at camping in the winter in the lower areas of England, such as the Brecon Beacons and…
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Finding Wood For Fire Lighting This Autumn
As we move into autumn and then into winter here in the UK, the weather gets colder and, more often than not, wetter. In these conditions, it can become more difficult to find dry wood with which to light a…
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Plants to Look Out For This Autumn and Winter
Autumn and winter in the UK can seem like a time of inactivity in the woods. For those who know where to look and what to look for there are plenty of things going on. In this blog, we’re going…
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Shelter Building In Autumn
When it comes to bushcraft in the UK there are several additional considerations that you need to be aware of before building a shelter in autumn. Not only will it be colder at night and in the morning, additionally, there…
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Five Trees To Identify This Winter
There’s no doubt about it, winter is well on its way and summer a distant memory. Winter in the United Kingdom, as with everywhere else, brings with it wonderful changes in the natural world. One of the most dramatic changes…
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What Changes in The UK Woods in Autumn and Winter
In this blog, we’re going to have a look at some of the things that change in our woods in autumn. As all skilled bushcraft practitioners know being in tune with nature is the key to improving one’s skill set….
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Lighting a Fire On Snow
As autumn draws in around us and thoughts turn to winter our bushcraft practices adapt and change with the seasons. Though we might not have as much snow this year as we did at the start of 2018 there still…
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Lighting a Fire In Damp Conditions
Lighting a fire in damp conditions is a vital bushcraft skill. Fire is key for keeping warm, cooking food and a whole host of other bushcraft activities; as with all elements of bushcraft the real skill comes in being able…
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Desalination – Turning Seawater into Drinking Water
In certain situations, the ability to source clean, drinkable, water from seawater is an essential survival skill. This blog looks at this vital coastal survival skill in more detail, as always feel free to read the whole blog or skip…
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What to Expect On Our Weekend Bushcraft Course
If you’re thinking about booking our weekend bushcraft course then this blog shows some of the things that you can expect. There is so much more than you will learn on this course than could ever be covered here, but…
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How to Prevent and Treat Dehydration
At this time of year, when the days are long and the sun is high in the sky, keeping hydrated when out in the woods can be particularly difficult. In this blog, we’re going to look at what dehydration is…
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Make Your Sleeping Kit Work for You
Maximising the effectiveness of your sleeping kit means getting the most warmth out of the lightest set-up. This enables you to sleep out in nature in all seasons and carry less weight, in terms of backpacking this means that you…
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Bushcraft and Bivvying
Summer is well and truly here and with it comes an increase in popularity of the humble bivvy bag. While an option in winter many, perhaps understandably prefer to stick to tents. When it comes to summer, however, there’s not…
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Making Primitive Glues
Glue making has a long and rich history, possibly dating back to the Neolithic period and beyond. Not only was it used in weaponry, fastening arrowheads to arrows and the like, but there is also evidence that it was used…
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Long-Term Shelter Building and Bushcraft
One of the key differences between bushcraft and survival is that bushcraft is about being comfortable in the woods. Working and living in harmony with nature, rather than trying to overcome it. Part of this involves the creation of shelters…
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Intermediate Bushcraft Course
This year, we’ve introduced our Intermediate Bushcraft Course. This course is designed to help you to improve your bushcraft knowledge and practical ability. It is a great progression for all of those that have taken part in our accredited Foundation…
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What the Woods Mean to Wildway Bushcraft
In this blog, we share the following video from Flint and Pine in which John Boe, founder of Wildway Bushcraft, talks about what bushcraft and being in the woods means to him. What the woods and bushcraft mean to John Learn to…
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How to Sharpen Your Bushcraft Axe
A bushcraft axe can be one of the most important tools that you can take out into the woods with you. In our previous blog, we looked at how to choose a bushcraft axe. Now in this blog, we’re going…
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How to Choose a Bushcraft Axe
A bushcraft axe is one of the most useful tools that you can have in the woods. Probably even more useful than a knife. In this blog, we’re going to discuss the different types of axes available, how to choose…
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How to Sharpen Your Bushcraft Knife
“You’re only as sharp as your bushcraft knife” might not be exactly true, but it does have an element of logic to it. When out in the woods looking after your knife and maintaining its edge can make the difference…
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Light a Fire, Leave No Trace
When choosing a spot on which to have your campfire it is best to make sure that it is close to a water source or that you have plenty of water to hand. This will come in handy when it…
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Five Trees for UK Bushcraft
Spring is in the air and nature is blooming. In this blog we’re going to take a look at five key trees for bushcraft in the UK. We’ll also cover some common bushcraft uses for these trees. As always, feel…
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Making Stinging Nettle Tea
Making Stinging Nettle Tea Stinging nettle tea is a staple of wilderness living. The tea is easy to make and the ingredients are bountiful at this time of year. Read on to learn more about how to make stinging nettle…
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How to Tap a Silver Birch
In this blog, we’re going to be looking at how to tap a silver birch. When it comes to bushcraft in the UK, knowing how to safely, responsibly and correctly tap a silver birch for its sap is a fantastic…
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How to Prepare and Cook a Fish in the Wild
How to Prepare and Cook a Fish Preparing and cooking a fish in the wild is not only a great bushcraft skill, it’s also fantastic fun.This blog won’t cover how to catch a fish, you can find more information about…
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Seashore Foraging in The South West
Seashore Foraging in The South West In our book, there’s not much that sounds better than bivvying on a beach, after a long day walking under the summer sun, and then foraging seafood and cooking it fresh from the ocean….
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Start Your Spring Foraging
Spring is on the way, plants and trees all around us are starting to bloom and it is the perfect time to get outside and start foraging. We’ve looked at foraging in the UK in other blogs, such as this…
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Refresh Your Bushcraft Skills
Spring is a great time to refresh your bushcraft skills and despite the recent cold snap, Spring is very much on its way. With nature bursting into life once more and the days growing longer it is time to dust…
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Foraging for All the Family
Foraging for All the Family Bushcraft is something that is open to all the family, and foraging is a great place to introduce bushcraft skills to younger children. Remember the golden rule of foraging though – NEVER EAT ANYTHING UNLESS…
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How to Catch and Cook Fish in the Wild
How to Catch and Cook Fish in the Wild How to catch a fish in the wild, how to cook a fish over a fire, these are all questions that we will be answering in this week’s blog post about…
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Trapping and Snaring
Trapping and Snaring a Beginners Guide This blog looks at trapping and snaring in the UK. However, before we get into it a word on the law and on ethics. Trapping and snaring of animals is illegal in the…
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Foraging in the UK
Foraging in the UKAn Introduction and Tips on Getting Started Foraging – a steep learning curve It is with good reason that those starting their bushcraft journey often find foraging one of the hardest skills to get to grips with….
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Navigating at Night
Navigating at Night Walking at night is a wonderful experience, particularly if there’s a full moon. The landscape takes on a very different context and what was once familiar becomes unknown again. To fully enjoy walking at night though you…
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How to Navigate Accurately on a River in the UK
How to Navigate Accurately on a River in the UK River navigation can be difficult. It’s often hard to see what is around you, due to your low-down position, and hard to place exactly where you are due to limited…
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Navigate Without a Map
The abilities to find north, navigate short distances and tell the time of day without a map, compass or watch are key bushcraft skills. In this latest blog, we will look at we will introduce you to these skills and…
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Natural Navigation in the UK
The natural world has been helping people find their way since the paleolithic era, and it’s been helping animals to do the same for even longer. This is still the case, for those that know how to spot them, the natural…
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Foraging Along Scotland’s Rivers
Foraging is a fantastic way to either support yourself or to supplement your meals. The latter is especially true when on a long distance canoe trip across some of Scotland’s wildest landscapes. In this blog, we show you how to…
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Reading the River
Canoeing is one of the best ways of exploring the wilds. More than that though it enables you to relax; to linger and to sit back. It connects us to an earlier way of life where explorers of old would…
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How to Source and Purify Water
Sourcing and purifying water when on a long canoe trip or out wild camping in the UK can be a challenge. But, the ability to purify water is not only a key bushcraft skill, it can change a survival situation…
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Packing for a Long Canoe Trip
There is little better than getting away from it all and paddling the rivers of beautiful Scotland. However, knowing what to pack for a long canoe trip (and keeping your kit dry) can be a difficult undertaking. In this latest blog, we’re…
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Hypothermia – Signs and Prevention
Hypothermia Hypothermia can be a killer out on the trail. It arises when the body’s core temperature drops too far below its normal temperature of 37 degrees. In this blog post, we’re going to be looking at how to prevent…
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Tree ID in Winter
In this week’s blog post we will be looking at plant and tree identification in the UK in winter. As the nights draw in and the temperatures drop, being able to identify the plants and trees of the British…
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Lighting a Fire in the Winter
In this week’s blog post we will look at fire lighting in winter. We will look at the importance of being able to light a fire in winter, some useful bits of kit to take with you, the importance of…
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Suntan Lotion or Raincoats
In this week’s blog post we’re going to show you how to predict changes in the English weather – read on to find out more. Preparing to go out in the alps is, relatively easy – you expect it to…
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Char Cloth, Vaseline and Other Alternative Fire lighting Means
In our mind there is little better than sitting around a campfire; as Henry David Thoreau said, “The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter, and is about as ample at one season as…
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Bow Drills: A Beginners Guide to Making and Using One in the UK
Welcome to this week’s blog post. This week we’re taking an in-depth look at that most impressive tool for friction fire lighting – the bow drill. We will be teaching you about the history of the bow drill, the theory…
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Friction Fire Lighting in the UK – an Introduction
Friction fire lighting might be one of the most important bushcraft skills. Along with shelter building and the ability to source food and water, friction fire lighting is one of the basic building blogs to not only survival but also…
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Lighting a Fire in Wind and Rain: Tips, Tricks and Cotton Wool
Over the next four weeks, we will be looking at fires, fire lighting methods, materials, and tips. In this week’s blog, we’re taking a look at fire lighting in the wind and rain. We’ll talk through what you can do…
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How to Cook for the Camp: An Intro to Eating Well Outdoors
Cooking for several people while at camp can be difficult task whether you’re cooking over a fire or a stove. In this blog, we talk about how to make cooking at camp easier; show ways to improve the efficiency of…
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Tarp Set Ups for Solo Campers and Couples: What You Need to Know
Tarps are a lightweight and extremely versatile alternative to tents. In this blog, we look at setting up a tarp for the solo camper, tarp set-ups for couples and hammock camping for individuals and groups. Read on to find out more.
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Organisation in Bushcraft and Camping: Fire, Food and Hygiene
Organising your camp, whether you’re practising bushcraft, wild camping or even just at a campsite, is essential for keeping your food safe, morale up and your fire burning throughout the night. Read this week’s blog post to find out more…
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Where to Camp? Tips for Tents and Shelters in the UK
How to choose the best place to build a shelter? What makes a good wild camping spot? How can I choose a good campsite pitch? These are all questions that are answered in our latest blog. Read on to find…
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Making Charcoal
Making Charcoal Charcoal has a huge variety of uses, from purifying drinking water, building a fire, a dye, making your own ink and has even been used as medicine. You can also use it to dehydrate something in order to…
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River Spey Wildlife
One of my favourite canoe journeys is the river Spey in Scotland. Wildway runs this canoe expedition every May Travelling from Loch Insh to Spey Bay on the East Coast, this five-day journey will provide ample opportunity to encounter some of…
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Highly skilled professional
Highly skilled professional We asked John Boe if he could come and deliver some bushcraft training for our staff. We specifically asked him to run training in, game prep, knife skills, foraging, friction fire lighting, tool maintenance and making natural…
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Inspired Teacher
Inspired Teacher I didn’t believe Jon when he said I’d be lighting fires within an hour of learning the basics. John is an inspiration and his passion for Bushcraft is infectious! I’d highly recommend his courses to anyone wanting to…
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A Big Thank you
A big thank you Just wanted to say huge thank you to John and the team for an excellent weekend in a stunning location. All the staff were very knowledgeable and above all passionate about all things bushcraft and survival….
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Great Weekend
Great Weekend What an amazing weekend courtesy of John, Tom and Tim Wildway Bushcraft! So many new skills and experiences to take away, along with meeting some wonderful people. For those who are considering going on the course, I can’t…
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Super Weekend Course
Super Weekend Course I had an awesome weekend away recently with Wildway Bushcraft! John and the team were fantastic teachers. They were friendly, always happy to answer questions and to go the extra mile. John and Tom were even…
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Bushcraft Kit – 10 Items to always take with you.
Bushcraft Kit Now, I have been guilty of a never ending collection of bushcraft kit- a bag for this, a knife for that, more axes than I could ever use, and as for billy cans, why do I need so…
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Looking after your axe
It isn’t just enough to have the right tools for bushcraft, looking after them is extremely important too. At times an axe can be more valuable than a knife, so it’s worth caring for it correctly. You can easily protect…
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Natural navigation
These days we tend to rely on using maps and technology to help us get around, but believe it or not, it is possible to find your way around without modern gizmos. It is a skill you can practice anywhere….
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Pooing in the woods
When you are out in the woods, you cannot rely on there being toilets close enough for you to use. It is inevitable, especially when camping for at least a couple of days, that at some point you will have…
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Surviving without gadgets
Could you survive out in the woods without any gadgets? What would you do if your mobile phone or GPS stopped working? An Australian outback survival expert claims that our dependence on gadgets is actually putting our lives in danger…
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Animal tracking
Animal tracking is a fascinating way to study wildlife and a great bushcraft and survival skill. It can be done out on in your local woods or even on the pavement. Along with other signs, tracking can give a better…
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Bushcraft in spring
After the harshness of winter, spring provides a welcome change. Nature suddenly burst into life with lots of animal activity and plant growth, so there is no better time to be outside. If your bushcraft kit has been gathering dust…
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Leave without a trace
One of the most important skills of bushcraft, is to leave no trace that you have ever been to that area after you’ve left. Bushcraft is about respecting the environment and others that use the area. Leaving no trace is key to…
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Tips for choosing a bushcraft and survival school
Tips for choosing a bushcraft and survival school There are many bushcraft and survival schools offering a variety of great courses. Here at Wildway Bushcraft, we are always keen to get everyone involved in bushcraft, but unfortunately not every school…
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Ten deciduous trees to look out for
Without their leaves, deciduous trees can be tricky to identify during the winter. But by studying important features like the bark, twigs and bud formation, you can soon learn how to recognise a tree whatever the season. Here are our…
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Guide to identifying deciduous trees
As some trees shed their leaves during the autumn and winter months, determining the identity of deciduous trees can require a little more effort at this time of year. So we have put together a quick guide to help you know what…
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Winter bushcraft
Here at Wildway Bushcraft we are always keen to encourage everyone to go out and enjoy the great outdoors, whatever the time of year. But with winter on its way, you may think that it’s time to pack away your…
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Getting to grips with the longbow
If you have ever fancied unleashing your inner Robin Hood, why not try our One day deer and archery course where you can really get to grips with the basics of bow shooting. If you mainly associate the longbow that…
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Bow drill troubleshooting
The bow drill method of friction fire lighting is one of the most popular methods of lighting fire by friction in bushcraft. Although it can take many attempts to get it right, it is definitely worth the effort and perseverance….
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What to look for in a bushcraft axe
An axe is a popular and useful tool for bushcraft and is generally used for cutting, splitting and shaping wood. But before you rush out and get one for your kit, do bear in mind that not all axes are…
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Plants to forage this Autumn
At Wildway Bushcraft we enjoy the changing of seasons, especially autumn, as it offers an opportunity to forage some lovely nutritious and delicious foods. From nuts seeds and berries, there is a lot you can gather while the weather is…
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Responsible Bushcraft
If you have caught the bushcraft bug and keen to get outside and set up camp, you should make sure you know how to bushcraft responsibly. Things like land ownership, laws and bylaws and regulations are all important to find out about, before…
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Top 10 Bushcraft Items
Top 10 Bushcraft Items When you are going on a bushcraft trip, whether it’s a short or long trip, a well packed basic kit is absolutely essential. You will be reliant on your kit for the whole trip so you…
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Autumn Foraging
We all have the capacity to feed ourselves from our natural environment – we’ve just lost track of how. Fallen leaves and bare hedgerows can suggest there’s nothing good to eat in the autumn landscape, but actually the autumn world…
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Seashore Foraging
Seashore foraging is the art of finding food on the beach. As part of the bushcraft that we teach at Wildway Bushcraft, we will show you how to find seasonal food, prepare and enjoy it. Seashore foraging is the best…
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Bushcraft Canoe Expedition
Week-long canoeing trips – the next step in your bushcraft adventures Most people hanker for a few days escape from the modern world. The idea of sleeping under the stars, eating in the open air, observing wildlife not for an…
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Bear Blades Forest 3 Review
Review A while ago I was asked to be part of the test team for Bear Blades. I was asked to test a new knife set to hit the market. My brief from the guys at Bear Blades……Put it though its…
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UK Knife Law
It is important to know and understand the current laws on buying and carrying knives in the UK before venturing out anywhere with a knife, whatever its size. The information below is taken from www.gov.uk/find-out-if-i-can-buy-or-carry-a-knife: Knives: the laws on buying and…
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Bushcraft weather skills
One thing that we definitely have in the UK is weather – and we have a lot of it! Whilst other parts of the world may have more extreme forms of weather, from desert heat to perms-frost winters, few have…
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Bushcraft Vs Survival
What’s the difference? Many places offer bushcraft and survival skills courses. Is there a difference between these two and if so, why does it matter? The answer is quite simple. There is a pretty big difference. And it does matter. Survival Skills…
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Natural Cordage
Natural cordage is both vital to survival skills and a satisfying and rewarding process in itself. For those wanting to develop their wilderness skills, the process of making natural cord is an essential step to the further construction of fishing…
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DD Tarp Review
I often get asked about what kit I use when running bushcraft courses for Wildway, so here is a little review on the 3×3 DD Tarp. The guys at Wildway Bushcraft have been using the DD 3×3 Tarp for a…
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How to skin and butcher a rabbit
On our Bushcraft courses we teach game preparation and get students to prep their own food so they know how to, should the need ever arise in the wilderness. This is a walk through guide on how to skin and butcher…
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Foraging
Who doesn’t want to believe they could survive in the wild? Whether it’s a long term trip in the wilderness or just getting lost in the woods overnight, we’d like to think we have the skills to make a tough…
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Friction Fire Lighting
An essential survival skill and a great learning experience Four thousand years ago the ancient Egyptians were using hearth sticks to light their domestic fires. This long history of friction fire lighting continues to the present day, through Tamil Nadu…
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Feather Sticks
In the bushcraft world, fire is one of the main things people want to master. This is easier when its nice and dry and sunny but much more difficult when it is chucking it down with rain. There is a…
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Bushcraft Bannock Bread
Coming from the Gaelic bannach, bonnach or bhannag meaning ‘morsel’, Bannock Bread is a simple flatbread that originated in Scotland. There are other opinions on where the word bannock came from, such as from the Latin word panicium which is thought…
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Bushcraft Fire Skills
To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else in the world (Dudley Warner) Making & maintaining a campfire Fire is essential in the Bushcraft and Survival world, it keeps you warm, allows you to cook, provides…
