Explore The Great Outdoors. reviews

24 Nov 24'

Elena Haines reviewed: Spoon Carving Beginners Workshop

"Its was great day out for everyone. Pete and Jacqui provided support and ideas and shared they knowledge. Great variety of different techniques as well and tea/ coffee- available all the time. Everyone was working on spoons but each of us end up with different spoon ( from person to person) with lots of character each. Would Recommend to everyone and definitely come back :) "

10 Nov 24'

Issy and Barny reviewed: Bushcraft and Survival Skills Course

"Can't thank Pete and Jacqui enough for a fantastic day. Hugely educational, fun and wholesome. There was always tea and a biscuit, which we needed in slightly chilly November, so long as we helped start a fire to get the kettle going! Would recommend to anyone interested in unleashing their inner explorer and getting away from screens for a day. "

17 Oct 24'

Dave Wise reviewed: Spoon Carving Beginners Workshop

"What a great day! Pete and Jacqui have a wealth of knowledge and share it a fun and friendly way. There's a lot more that goes into a spoon than you'd think, but I enjoyed every minute of it! Would thoroughly recommend! "

16 Oct 24'

Erik reviewed: Pole Lathing Taster Day

"We thoroughly enjoyed the pole-lathing course. Jaqui and Pete were very knowledgeable and patient, the setup was very professional. It was very satisfying to see the progress we made and we came away with something to show for our efforts. "

16 Sep 24'

Cat & Mike reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"Pete and Jacqui were very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable. Their instructing was aimed perfectly for the four novices in the class, enough for the students to understand what was needed and to proceed safely. They were always attentive, so when we hit a 'how do I do this moment' they allowed you to try and work it out, but didn't leave you hanging for long before guiding you. I would highly recommend this course for anyone who has always wanted to try basic working with wood, and as a bonus you come away with a beautiful chopping board that you made yourself! We will definately be back to try something else."

19 Aug 24'

Florence reviewed: Private booking rustic Log stool making 18th August

"We made rustic stools as a family group and could not have enjoyed our day more! We are absolutely thrilled with our beautiful stools and will keep them forever. Pete and Jacqui were excellent, patient and kind teachers with such an appreciation for the pleasures of working with wood. I can't wait to do a second course. "

7 Aug 24'

Luke reviewed: Shave horse, English style, making course

"Pete and Jacqui were very patient and kind teachers. They helped us all through the course and even helped me when I lost my car keys! The work was pretty tough but very happy with the weekend"

29 Jul 24'

Ric Gibson reviewed: Charcoal & Biochar Making Course - Warminster Wiltshire

"Just had a great day with Peter +Jacqui , making charcoal + bio char .....really great people, with so many positive + thrifty ideas. Definitely be back for another of their many courses..... "

24 Jun 24'

Stephen & Alice reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"We had a great day making Japanese chopping boards. Pete and Jacqui are very friendly, knowledgeable and guided us through the techniques required, explaining each stage and allowing each participant time to make board of their choice. Thank you very much Pete and Jacqui."

7 Jun 24'

Kaz reviewed: Rustic Log Stool Making Course

"A wonderfully cathartic day making a rustic stool using traditional methods and great power tools. Great environment and all the help we needed to end up with our own little masterpiece. We'll be back."

13 May 24'

Alex reviewed: Spoon Carving the Scandinavian Way - Beginners

"A fantastic day in an idyllic setting with two very knowledgeable and lovely hosts. Thank you, I will definitely be booking another course later in the year. "

4 Apr 24'

David Spencer reviewed: Charcoal & Biochar Making Course - Warminster Wiltshire

"A very informative course, well run and I learnt much. We even got a bag of charcoal to take home! Thank you Pete"

20 Mar 24'

Lynn Gregory reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"Fantastic, both Pete and Jacqui were so patient and helpful. I came home with a chopping board for me. I thought the Japanese board was lovely but slightly too small for English cooking. I will use mine on my boat all the time. I will be going back for more courses. I am actually choosing now, thank you for a wonderful day."

19 Feb 24'

Linda reviewed: Rustic Log Stool Making Course

"I attended the rustic log stool course yesterday and it was amazing! We were guided through each step clearly by Pete and Jackie. Very relaxed atmosphere which made it so much more enjoyable. I came home with my stool and the family were very impressed. For anyone considering doing this I would say don’t hesitate! Looking forward to booking on another craft course soon. "

15 Jan 24'

Sandra and Margaret reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"My sister and I have just had such a wonderful experience making a Japanese Chopping Board, at The old farm workshop near Marlborough with Pete and Jacqui. Such an amazing couple, so knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. They are so keen to share their experiences of how they managed to successfully make the business what it is today. Such dedication. We are so pleased we met you both. Thank you."

13 Jan 24'

Fiona reviewed: Whittling Beginner Workshop

"This was a thoroughly enjoyable day, very relaxing, calming and absorbing, with friendly people, ranging from complete beginners to those with some experience. Pete and Jacqui provided very clear instruction and guidance in different ways to work with the knife and wood, for different cuts and shapes of the items we carved. They were quick to spot when any of us weren't holding the knife or wood in the safest way, even while they were helping another person. Jacqui was so helpful in offering advice and starting me off on a little personal project I plan to continue with. I've already put my coffee bag 'closer' to use; my husband has called it The Beak as it resembles a pelican's beak!"

10 Jan 24'

Alfie reviewed: Whittling Beginner Workshop

"I had a wonderful day on this course. Jacqui and Pete are both true experts and the small group size meant we all got lots of individual, hand’s on attention to improve our techniques. Perfect for complete beginners or experienced whittlers. It was a welcoming, relaxed environment and we all got fully absorbed in the work, the day flew by. We covered lots of new cutting methods I hadn’t seen before and had an introduction to spoon carving using curved blades. We also covered knife sharpening. Jacqui and Pete gave us lots of information to take away for future projects; recommended knives, books for ideas and more. "

27 Dec 23'

Fran reviewed: Private Whittling Workshop

"Pete and Jacqui provided a superb 1:1 wood working day for my 13 year old daughter. The activities they planned were engaging, exciting, perfectly pitched for her interest and experience levels and she was delighted with the things she made. They were so kind, supportive, encouraging and welcoming, I thoroughly recommend them. "

20 Nov 23'

Andy reviewed: Make Your Own Flat Pack Shave Horse

"Thank you so much Pete and Jacqui. I learnt so much during my Shave Horse day and I am keen to get started on Green Woodworking protects. Your methods and explanations were clear and helpful. I look forward to trying another one of your courses in the future. Kind regards "

20 Nov 23'

Amanda Lambert reviewed: Make Your Own Flat Pack Shave Horse

"I loved this course and I love my shave horse. I can't wait to use it. Low student to teacher ratio, lots of attention and help. Superb value for money. Highly recommend. "

20 Nov 23'

Eleanor Hoad reviewed: Make Your Own Flat Pack Shave Horse

"I attended the shave horse workshop. The workshop is well laid out with excellent tools to hand. The instructions and support to make the shave horse were excellent. The design was perfect for my needs as it folds up for easy transportation. I learnt a huge amount, Pete and Jacqui are highly skilled and very generous with their time and knowledge. Highly recommended. "

23 Oct 23'

Richard Robbins reviewed: Make your own Pole Lathe

"A very enjoyable two day course making a pole lathe. Peter and Jacqui were both knowledgeable, helpful and kind hosts. Would very much recommend any of their courses. A delightful rural setting at both venues at Brimslade or Warminster."

19 Oct 23'

Peter Harrison reviewed: Charcoal & Biochar Making Course - Warminster Wiltshire

"Great instructor, fabulous location, fascinating subject and great bunch of students (of course!). Thanks to Jack and Peter for a great day "

18 Oct 23'

Sarah reviewed: Private Whittling Workshop

"My daughter has long wanted to try her hand at woodwork and Pete and Jacqui provided the perfect introduction. They were flexible, adapting the day according to her interests, patient and knowledgeable and we were delighted with the butter knives and bug hotel we went away with. Thank you for a great day!"

15 Oct 23'

David Martin reviewed: Pole Lathing Taster Day

"A lovely day in the woods learning the art of pole turning. Everything was organised to give us maximum time on the elements we individually wanted to do. Blanks for immediate turning were already prepared on the lathes (everyone had their own lathe) plus the opportunity to also use a froe; carving axe; and draw knife later in the day. Although a mainly sunny day, the heavens opened at one point, but the way things were set up, we neither got wet nor had to stop what we were doing. Tuition was mostly on a one-to-one basis, so everyone could work at their own speed. All in all a very enjoyable day out in the woods."