Keyboard to Kindling - A Weekend in the Woods with Wildway

A few weeks back, we shared the news of our new partnership with Wildway Bushcraft. For this blog post, I took things a step further. Laptop off. Bag packed. I swapped the office for open air, and signed up for their Level 2 NCFE Accredited Weekend Bushcraft Course. 

With the forecast flirting between grey skies and drizzle, I packed accordingly. The Nightjar Smock and trousers came along for the ride, backed up by Woodland Trousers for when the clouds behaved. A Heathland Hoodie and New Forest Tattersall Shirt kept things warm under the shady canopy.

Just 30 minutes down the road from NFC HQ, tucked into woodland on the Dorset and Hampshire border, the setting was magic. Quiet. Still. A place where phone reception disappeared and your attention returns.

Day 1. Knots, Tarps & Firelight

We arrived just after 6pm and wasted no time. First task. Build your own shelter. Under Craig’s guidance, we learned essential knots and configurations, turning tarp sheets into sturdy woodland homes. No tent. Just paracord, tarpaulin, and a little bit of brainpower.

Then came dinner prep, bushcraft style. Pigeon, Prepared entirely by hand, no knives in sight, and by the time the sun dipped below the trees, we were eating pigeon breast kebabs beside the fire. Smoky, rich, and well-earned.

A few tins cracked open. Stories shared. 12 Strangers turned into campfire buddies.

Day 2. Skills, Smoke & Serious Coffee

Morning arrived gently. Surprisingly, I’d slept well. Cosy in the shelter, wrapped in my sleeping bag and listening to the woods breathe and the birdsong. Breakfast came shortly after with coffee so strong you could chew it.

The day unfolded as a mix of bushcraft skills and hands-on learning. We headed out on a foraging walk, spotting spring seedlings pushing through the forest floor, before moving on to trout filleting by hand. A woodcarving session followed, focused on control, accuracy, and working with the grain, each of us finishing with a try stick memento from the weekend.

Lunch was that same trout, cooked over the fire and drizzled with lemon. Fresh doesn’t quite cover it.

We spent time properly learning fire lighting, the history, the methods, and the tools that make it work. Each of us built and lit our own fire, twelve in total, with a little help from the Wildway Ferro Rod's that do exactly what they’re meant to do, every time. The rest of the day moved through tool safety, shelter building, water sourcing, and trap setting.

Dinner prep stepped up a level. a whole roe deer, skinned and butchered by us on site, then slow-cooked into a proper stew over the fire. Simple, honest food after a day outdoors. The evening rolled on around the fire, a few drinks in hand and good conversation flowing.

Day 3. Stillness, Skill & Heading Home

The final morning, and somehow, even stronger coffee.

We eased into the day with knife care and a chat around UK knife law, followed by sharpening skills that felt both practical and quietly satisfying. Axe skills followed. Log splitting, tool selection, technique. Practical, grounded, and confidence-building.

Then came natural cordage making. Twisting fibres into rope with nothing but your hands and time. It was unexpectedly meditative. A moment of calm where everything slowed down before it was time to pack down and head home. A little smoky. A little tired. A lot clearer in the head.

How Did the New Forest Gear Hold Up?

Short answer. Exceptionally well.

The Nightjar Smock was the hero piece. If you are anything like me, you'll hate wearing a waterproof unless it is absolutely necessary, however, even with the weather threatening more than delivering, my Nightjar stayed on most of the weekend. The soft-touch fabric made it comfortable enough to live in, while the large kangaroo pocket became a kindling collector’s dream. The microfleece hand-warmer pockets were a quiet luxury in the cool woodland air.

The Woodland Trousers took everything in their stride. Kneeling, carving, moving through undergrowth. No fuss, no wear, just reliable, comfortable toughness. The cargo pockets earned their keep, holding tools and essentials without getting in the way. Layered with the Tattersall Shirt and Heathland Hoodie, I stayed warm, dry, and comfortable from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

As someone more familiar with festival fields than forest floors, I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d take to a weekend under a tarp. Turns out. I loved it. There’s something really grounding about waking up with the birds overhead, eating good food, and learning skills that feel genuinely useful. It strips things back in the best way possible.

A huge thank you to John, Craig, and the entire Wildway Bushcraft team for sharing their knowledge so generously and creating an experience that sticks.

If you’re even slightly curious, it’s worth stepping outside your comfort zone and into the woods. You can explore upcoming courses and experiences over at Wildway Bushcraft. Who knows. You might enjoy swapping your screen for a campfire, just as much as I did.

They’ll also be at the Bushcraft Show from 22–25 May. Well worth a visit if you want a taste of what it's all about before diving in properly.