""A great day of escaping from the usual and a great sense of achievement - especially starting a fire without matches or a lighter!! I never felt pressured into doing anything and always felt as if the instructors were only too willing to make our day as enjoyable as possible. The Instructors were really welcoming and friendly. Jason even said he would welcome calls after the event to clarify anything taught on the day. Brilliant."".

"I had a really great (winter skills) weekend with you and your team. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, made lots of new friends and learnt some really valuable information. I liked the way the course was not rushed, and you didn't try to cram too much into the time allowed. It gave everybody time to complete the various tasks required but also gave us time to just enjoy being out in the woods. Your instructors have a wealth of knowledge and are really relate-able to everybody. Also they were happy to answer questions and would answer from personal experience. So you know this is not just knowledge learnt from a book but from actual dirt-time in the woods. Now, we come to the food!. On this area you excelled your self. Firstly the quantity of food. There was more than enough food for each person to satisfy even the biggest appetite. You did not cut corners on the ingredients either, and your recipes would have been acceptable being served up at a home dinner party or restaurant. If you keep serving food like that it wont be long before your composting loos are full. Talking of them they have to be the most elaborate woodland loo I have seen. Its the one area that many people are concerned about and I think you have addressed that topic sympathetically and respectfully for everybody. I have had a really great time and felt the course was value for money. All of your instructors are extremely knowledgeable on the subjects they taught. They came across clear informative. ".

"Re: Family Course. It was very useful and reassuring to see that children were being thought about (e.g. tents in case on the kit list). We were delighted at what the children were allowed to have a go at. The instructors knowledge was excellent and they pitched what they said at a level which did not allienate the children but informed us adults too. The food was excellent, we now we have a taste for pigeon! Great food and again well thought through - marshmallows to toast round the fire really did help add the treat factor to it for the children. It will go down as one of our best family experiences of all time. We have been starting all our bonfires with friction now!".

"A great weekend, vastly knowledgable instructors who were able to get the message across in an entertaining but thorough manner. Good spread of subjects and fantastic instructors who ooze knowledge and enthusiasm, what more could you ask for.".

"Hey all Just a quick thanks to the 'Woodlands ways crew' for a fantastic weekend felling trees etc, I'd learnt more in the first 2 hrs than I had in the previous thirty years...Jason and Dan really know their stuff! ".

"Re Bow Making Weekend. Thanks Adam and Gary. A truly wonderful weekend spent in the forest, I was in my element working away with the sun coming through the trees next to the campfire. A no-nonsense, well thought out course with instructors that genuinely cared about what they were doing. Marvelous!".

"Thanks to you, Jo & Quirkus for the tracking weekend, can't remember the last time I felt so chilled & relaxed. Needless to say I really enjoyed it. Amazing to be so close to deer in their habitat. Must say my encounter with my little (field?) mouse sticks in my mind amongst a host of memorable observations.".

"Thank you for an eye opening tracking weekend. I want to just say thank you for the fantastic course content and practical way in which the theory was applied to the real thing. ".

"One of the most enjoyable weekends spent in the woods. A big Thanks to Martyn and Ruth for their knowledge and for putting up with the jokes! I feel that everybody should at sometime in their life experience this weekend, just to see how much fun it can be! I'm now looking forward to another next spring.".

"Hi Jason. Just to say a huge thank you to you and your staff for a superb weekend. Your staff were so friendly and welcoming and very knowledgeable. Kevins tracking session was fantastic and I fulfilled long held ambitions to make a basket and do some flint knapping. Even tho Ive made spoons before I still learned more tips and had a very enjoyable session. It was obvious that you and your staff put a lot of time and effort into the event and that is part of the reason for it being so successful. The other thing was the very high standard of instruction and the beautiful setting of your lovely woods. It was great to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Hope to see you again in the near future. ".

"I would thoroughly recommend the Family Bushcraft course to any parent wanting to give their kids lots of outdoor fun, while learning some really useful bushcraft skills. My whole family thought this course was fantastic - we came away inspired by nature, determined not to lead a materialistic life, and really pleased with ourselves that we'd all had a great sleep in our shelter! The instructors, Kev and Martin, were brilliant and we were impressed that they knew everybody's names even before we stepped out of our cars. They taught us bushcraft skills in a child friendly but non patronising way, they included the children really well, and there was a certain element of "Leaving us to it" to try out those skills (while keeping a watchful eye), so we really felt as if we were 'Living the Ray Mears Life', albeit for 24 hrs in a lovely Oxfordshire wood! My children were thrilled to be making shelters, lighting fires, and yes - preparing their own pigeons for their evening meal. I can't speak highly enough of the quality of the instructors and the whole organisation. I shall certainly be looking out for an extended Family course and we will be back! ".

"I was really impressed by the site, the woodland ways folk and how informal yet informative the workshops that they ran during the SIG event were- ta very much. Also how lovely and friendly you all are :)".

"WOODLAND WOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!! you guys are amazing..i just got home from your intro wkd!!!! massive thanks to Martin, Adam, Nick and Matt for opening up the natural world in so many ways!!!!! I feel so inspired and its just given me the thirst for more big time....Cant wait to see you again...Nat :) ".

"I have always had a keen interest for nature, growing up in a small country village, fishing, racing pigens, growing veg, keeping animals, and working for the environment agency for 10 years left me with a good general knowledge. However Woodlands Ways increased my knowledge levels and made me notice things I have never recognised before! Watching programs such as Ray Mears has opened the subject of Bush craft to the millions and to the benefit of us all! Woodland Ways friendly, experienced, professional but down to earth staff and there hands on/ hands off approach really works. This experience has touched my mind, heart, soul and body quite leterally in places. Those logs around the fire can be a tad uncomfortable! haha. Thank you Woodland Ways I hope to see you soon. No matter what your experience, knowledge or life style I recommend you book up and visit ASAP! The instructors have actually experienced first hand real emergency survival situations such as ex millitary or expedition guides. I think a recognised governing or accreditted body is required for the entire industry of Bush Craft (Maybe it's something Woodland Ways should spearhead).".

"Just a short email to say A BIG THANK YOU, to you and the woodland ways team. I had an excellent time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The instructors were very good and I shared some good company with the other learners. I have taken much away with me and I am continuing to improve on the skills I have learnt. I hope to be back again in the near future. once again ... Thank you ".

"I'd like to pass on my thanks and praise for the course and your instructors. It was one of the best experiences of my life and hopefully the start of many more. Thanks so much Kev, Martyn, all the brillaint people on the course and Woodland Ways. I had a life changing five days - too many good aspects to mention and can't wait to do more. Brilliant course. ".

"Jason, it was a pleasure to spend some time with you at the Wilderness Gathering and your video series only reinforces what I thought. You are the hardest working Bushcraft Instructor that I know. ".

"Extremely Impressed: Martyn was a fantastic guide. He really made the experience. We all learned lots and enjoyed the day immensely!".

"Many thanks Jason, Burt and Daniel for a memorable weekend which has rekindled (no pun intended) my enthusiasm for the outdoor life and taking the time out to appreciate our natural surroundings. Your expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm is a potent mix. A very impressive and clearly applied experience from all 3 instructors rather than theoretical. You are clearly leaders in your field. I wish the company continued success - and would recommend you wholeheartedly as best-in-class provider. ".

"Thanks for an amazing week guys... I've learnt so much I think my head might explode!".

"Just done weeks course in Oxford and guess what IT WAS FANTASTIC!! Thanks to Kev and Martyn and to all the guys I shared camp fire stories with! ;-) ".

"Just did the week long course, was an absolutly amazing experience! Big thank you to Kev & Martyn, Burt and everyone who made it a perfect week in the woods! :) ".

"Frikin awesome is all i can say about you guys !!! ".

"What a cracking weekend..Guys & Girl were absolutley great...Would recommend anyone to go on this weekend ".

"Really good practical sessions. Everything was demonstrated with "real" equipment that didn't just look fit for purpose but which had clearly been used for that purpose - Jason's knives looked as though they had history, his water purification kit had been places and his fire starting kit certainly wasn't bought off the shelf. That told me he uses this kit for real so it works. I've done a lot of fire fighting and sea survival courses, and all too often the equipment looks brand new "demonstration-only". Jason's homemade kit gave a great impact on the tuition. The sessions were delivered at a perfect pace, step-by-step, with everyone following along. The instructors were very patient too. They were always at hand to help if you asked, but let you get on with it rather than jumping on you to correct every mistake you made. The choice of sessions was also very good, providing a wide variety of subjects. All three instructors seemed very knowledgeable about wood lore. I know a lot of first class scientists and biologists, whose depth of knowledge about marine biology astounds me. I would definitely put Jason up there with them though with his knowledge of wood lore and survival. He is a natural teacher, too. So easy to listen to, lots of anecdotes from his own experiences, and yet doesn't take anything too seriously. He obviously really cares about his company and it shows in the quality of service he provides. I'm just really impressed by the quality of the whole experience, which I think was largely down to Jason's knowledge and dedication. ".

"Thanks for a great weekend Jason. Cannot believe HOW MUCH knowledge of the woodland you have- good on yer for living the dream and long may your success story continue. Thanks again to all".

"An amazing weekend and thanks again to Jason, Burt and Daniel for sharing your encyclopaedic knowledge which you taught with clarity and practical detail. ".

"Jason- Just to say thanks for a great experience over the weekend. Kids loved getting involved and will certainly remember their "den making", pigeon prep , fire making ,introduction to knife work etc.. You mentioned that you will be introducing 2012 a further style of family course , which i look forward to. ".

"Hi Jason, Joanne & the rest of the woodland ways crew. Just to say many thanks for a great woodland crafts weekend in the woods.".

"It was clear that Kev and Adam had an amazing amount of knowledge and skill as well as a true passion for bushcraft. It was one of the best things I have ever done. An experience I will never forget. Thank you.".

"Who knew that standing listening to Kev, soaked to the skin, in the middle of a rainstorm could be so much fun and so informative! In this day and age it's fascinating to meet a true expert, and I can't wait to get back out there for Autumn. ".

"Excellent: We were greated with a friendly smile, we were expected (our name was on the list) and told exactly where we could park and what was happening. Kev knows A LOT. He could answer questions, and really took the time to explain things. He was also good at bringing the knowledge to life with some great annecdotes and historical facts. A couple of us were vegan and it is extremely rare to come across any organisation that takes this into account (especially when the cooking is over a campfire!). I thought providing a vegan option really went the extra mile. Extremely Impressed ".

"A big thanks to Kev and everyone at Woodland Ways. I had a great day on the Summer foraging course even though the weather was awful.".

"Quick note to say thanks for our Survival course. We enjoyed every minute and it surpassed our expectations. Martin and Adam were excellent and we feel we learned something along the way as well as having fun. Maybe we'll be back for a longer course sometime! ".

"Well set up camp, and freindly faces,although it was heavily raining. Cracking woodland with a wide veriety of wildlife. Well explained sessions. The Instructors know there stuff , even the apprentaces. Everyone was supprised on the quality of the food. Really really immpressed, i felt sad on leaving. Couldnt recommend woodland ways enough, Bushcraft has been a hobby of mine for a couple of years now , and this weekend course has furthered my knowledge a great deal, fantastic time had and cant wait to put my newly learned skills into practace, thank you all... ".

"Jason, Just wanted to say thank you very much from us all, we enjoyed it and got as much out as the lads did, your balance between safety & personal responsibility worked really well and everyone got to live to fight another day, it was almost ‘Reithian’ in terms of education & entertainment. We all learnt loads and had great fun, we now need to start saving for a weekend course, I’m taking a second job cleaning cars and babysitting! Hope to see you soon and thank you once again. ".

"Hi Joanne, I just want to let you know the course on Sat was truly enjoyable, and that I will definitely recommend that to friends! Please feel free to pass this along to Jason! ".

"Brilliant!!! Got to be one of the most enjoyable and memorable weekends away i've ever had. Friendly, knowledgeable instructors, great setting and really enjoyable demonstrations on loads of different bushcraft techniques; I even enjoyed preparing the pigeon and fish to eat which i wasn't expecting! Highly recommended to anyone who wants to get back to nature and try something a bit different".

"Jason, I just wanted to say thanks for a great weekend. I didnt realise how much we'd done until I got home and wrote it all down for future reference. I've just been out into the woods behind my house and set a few track traps so we'll see what they turn up over the next few days... So, great to meet you and the team, thanks for all of the instruction and laughs. ".

"Hi Jason Just wanted to say thank you to you, Dan, Adam and Burt for a brilliant weekend. I really, really enjoyed it, even more than previous courses which is saying something! I found the last session on using birds to read what's happening and the nighttime bimble especially useful - its changed how I view or rather hear the woodland hugely. ".

"I had an amazing time on the weekend and am already looking for the next course I want to do. I cannot wait to get back out. Thank you for a great weekend, could you thank the other instructors for me too".

"Hi Jason and Alec, Sorry for the slight delay [back to technology and its challenges!] Just to say what a great weekend I had in Besselsleigh in Jan. It was great to get back to the countryside having felt a bit office bound over the last few years. Plus I was really pleased to have re-found some old attitudes about living in nature, and learnt some new skills [food prep by headtorch!], and challenged myself in simple yet often concerned averse ways [drawing a pheasant... in torchlight!]. Funnily enough what normally comes easily - sleep - was the one thing I didn't manage well, until I got home on the Sunday and fell promptly to sleep. And, of course, this would not have been possible without your down-to-earth and fun approach to learning and the atmosphere that encouraged... as well as the great company of the other people. All the best, and thanks again to Surf and Turf [did Daniel get that in a published piece?] Keep well".

"The whole group had a great stag weekend and it was in no small part to the excellent instructors. Many thanks for the hard work".

"Many thanks for running the weekend for Eds stag. I had many positive comments about you and even those who were a bit nervous about roughing it had a fantastic time".

"Thanks once again for a great weekend. Both April and myself had a fantastic experience and hope to get out and try some more survival experiences in the future. Many thanks".

"Hi Jason, Jo and Alec. Just wanted to drop you a line and say what a brilliant weekend I had and thank you to all of you for being such good fun and great instructors. Lying in my comfie bed on Sunday night after finally losing the aroma of Pigeon/Trout/Rabbit, I thoroughly wished I was back in the woods sleeping under the trees and stars. I'm so impressed I can start a fire with a fungus!! And I definitely have the bug because I sat in the fields by the river last night making cordage out of stinging nettle and planning some wild camping this weekend... Cant wait for the week long course, the 22nd of September can't come to soon... I will also definitely be coming to the wilderness gathering! See you all soon".

"Hi Jason- Many thanks to you, Jo and Alec for a great weekend. It was a great confidence booster to me to do something in such a different environment and know that I can survive! I thought the weekend was really well organised and a great friendly atmosphere. Many thanks and best wishes".

"A big thank you to you and the team for a fantastic weekend. We all had a great time and were very depressed at the thought of going back to our air conditioned existences. I have made a big list of things from the weekend that I will need to start my new life in the woods when I jack in my job and go feral! Thanks again and hope to see you all again".

"Its all your fault... I want to be a full-time hobo! Hi Jason- A huge THANKS to you and the team for the best weekend. I'm still coming down from the high and my head's still buzzing with all the things I learned. The course included so many things our parents told us not to do: follow strange men into the woods; play with our food; play with fire... I can't wait for the next one! All the very best".

"Hi Jason- I just wanted to say, thank you so much for the weekend, me and James both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It is the road I have wanted to walk down for ages but just got 'too busy' to do so. Your course has now started me down that road, which actually you might regret because I will be asking you all sort of questions! I was walking across Hyde park this morning trying to identify all the trees.. Do you know...when I used to work at the stables my family always used to complain about me smelling of bon fire, I now have that smell restored back in my life! I also wanted to thank you for your consideration with our diets we really appreciated it. Good luck with everything and see you soon".

"Hello! That was was one of the best weekends I have ever had! I had so much fun that it doesn't seem right going back to work today. In fact my boss had to shout at me several times to keep me focused on my work as the daydreaming was getting out of hand! I'm now even more excited about walking the Kintyre Way next month. I should have spoken to you about that over the weekend as that was the reason for me attending the course in the first place! Once again I was having too much fun and forgot about everything! Anyway I have told Emma and Ruth about the week course you do and they say they are both up for it... Just going to see if I can find Emma down the allotment and start sanding my spoon! A very big thank you!".

"Hi Jason, just a quick mail to say thanks again for a great weekend, I'm sure I'll see you again on another course. Do you have any plans for an advanced course running over a weekend? I'm sure the week long course goes into more detail but time off from work is scarce at the moment! Would you be able to forward the article you wrote on choosing a knife? After using mine properly this weekend I think I'm going to put it back on Ebay and look for something different! Many thanks".

"Hi Jason- What can I say, we both had an amazing time on your family bushcraft course. It was far better than our expectations and was great fun. I'm so glad we slept in the shelter. We wouldn't of changed it for the world. Both you and Alec were superb instructors, always willing to answer questions and offer help. We will definitely be back, well worth the money.".

"Just a quick thanks for the great weekend. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and learnt so much. We were even pleased that it rained just when it did so we could test drive our shelter without spending the whole weekend soaking wet. Each of us have expressed an interest in getting back together for a more advanced course some time in the future. Thanks once again".

"Hi Jason- Many thanks once again for a great couple of days, both Harvey and I loved it. I have attached a couple of photos, if you like them you can use them or forward the group one to any of the others on our course. Many thanks again. We will be back".

"Hey jason- Just wanted to say thanks again for the course, bloody awesome! Everyone was saying how disapointing the weather was, i think it just added to the experience!".

"Hi Jason, I have to say that I had a very excellent weekend, learnt lots and had plenty of fun. This is where big thanks have to go to yourself and the team for getting everything just right, judging the atmosphere, pace and content of the course to perfection. Keep it up lads! I will definietly be looking into going on another of your courses again in the near future, hopefully. Until then I wish you and the lads well, and may woodland ways go from strength to strength".

"Just wanted to say a belated (we're packing for a holiday to Spain..slightly different list of things to pack!) thank you for last week. I was slightly apprehensive to say the least about 'surviving' in the woods for the weekend, but i genuinely had a thoroughly amazing time. None of my friends can believe that I did the things I'm telling them about, and part of me doesn't either! That was undoubtedly partly down to the great group of people there, but also a huge part of it was down to you, Dan, Alec and Andy. It was so nice to learn so much from such knowledgeable people and it was lovely to do so in such a relaxed and unpressurised environment. Ryan's talking about other courses now and I'm sure I'll be tagging along with him!".

"A big thanks to you and the guys again for an amazing weekend!! The teams knowledge and help thoughout the weekend made it a great experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. I am well up for more outings in the near future!! The Sahara trip sounds immense!!".

"I totally enjoyed the weekend, learnt lots and hope to come on another course soon. It must be hard getting the balance right, especially over just 2 days, but I reckon you and the Dan have got the content and deliver spot on, many thanks".

"Jason- I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you, Alec and Andy for a truly unforgetable weekend. I think the only way to describe the course is enlightening!".

"Just to say thanks for a great day yesterday. It was such a great opportunity to be somewhere so completely different. I think the main value of a day like that is simply to connect again and know that so many things we take for granted, and that are so easy, have been, until relatively recently, hard work and time-consuming. And far from being a problem, it is good to put that effort in and 'earn' the heat, dinner, cup of tea or whatever. And it was fun - which is entirely due to how you pitch the thing - not all macho and derring-do, but achievable and rewarding at whatever level. So thanks very much - and we will speak again soon!".

"Many thanks to you and your team for an enjoyable weekend, and I hope to see you again at some point".

"Just got back from the woodland survival course run by Jason & Dan of Woodland Ways and really cannot recommend it enough. Despite God trying to make it uncomfortable we had a truly memorable time. Jason & Dan worked tirelessly from first light till well after dark, every minute was filled with activity and education, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling experience. I feel i really achieved something this weekend and would unconditionally recommend it to any adventurous Spice members. It really was the real thing working with nature to survive and i would like my name down for when this course is hopefully run sometime in the spring, to face a different set of challenges".

"Fantastic courses, one of the best I have ever done. A Brilliant day out, very professional and great fun. Highly recommended, thanks".

"I know that everyone had a really great time on Saturday - fire lighting ability (or not) was the topic of conversation...! Hope to meet again on another course some day".

"Thanks for the photo, I had a great day even though I couldn't rip off a birds head with my bare hands..".

"everyone is still talking about it! Again, thank you for running such a superb course".

"Thank you for a fantastic weekend just gone, i really got a lot from it and was amazed by the breth and depth of knowledge you and Dan posses on the outdoors, how to live with and from it, it was a truly memorable experience and i will defiantly be back at Woodland Ways within the next few months".

"Great Day Out".

"Many thanks for such a wonderful day. All the children really enjoyed themselves very much".