Manor Wood reviews

Nigel Sandbrook reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"Spent a wonderful morning with my two boys just having some great fun. Well organised and great hosts. "

Anne reviewed: Axe Skills Workshop

"Matt's Axe Skills course was friendly, practical and informative in an inspiring woodland setting. I recommend it."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Anne, thank you for the lovely review! Glad you enjoyed the day. Matt"

Lewis H reviewed: Craft Your Own Carving Bench or Chopping Block

"Great course and very good direction from tutor. Cool place to do woodworking and quite easy to get to from the A14. Would recommend to a freind. "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Lewis, thanks for your review! Glad you enjoyed the day, see you again soon. Matt"

Andy reviewed: Craft Your Own Longbow: One To One Woodworking Class

"Dear Matt thank you for the long bow course today with my daughter Rosie, being in mature woodland at this time of year is a special place, learning new skills making something functional that stretch the body and mind is something I need to do more often thanks Again Andy "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Andy, thank you for the review. It was great to have you and Rosie at the woods. Very pleased with the final result of the longbows! Hope to see you again. Matt"

Joy reviewed: Craft Your Own Longbow: One To One Woodworking Class

"I had a lovely day learning how to make a bow. Matt is very knowledgeable and manages an excellent balance between showing you the tools and techniques, and helping out when needed. The location is beautiful, and well maintained. Despite taking the course in late autumn, we kept dry and warm in the shelter, and had lots of hot coffee! I'm very pleased with my final bow - it's exactly the right draw for me. Thank you!"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Joy, thank you for the lovely review! It so nice to have you at Manor Wood. Really glad you enjoyed the course and are pleased with your longbow. Hope to see you again. Matt"

Aaron reviewed: Axe Skills Workshop

"Had a great day on the axe skill course. A great chance to learn new techniques in both wood processing and carving. Thanks very much Matt. "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Aaron, thank you for your review! It was great to have you at Manor Wood, glad you enjoyed the day. Hope to see you again. Matt"

Kevin Shapland reviewed: Spoon Carving at Manor Wood

"It was an absolute 5-star day at Manor Wood, where Matt's passion for and knowledge of these traditional skills were abundant. A great opportunity to escape the rest of the world for a day and come away with some new skills. I cannot recommend this course highly enough. "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Kevin, thank you for your review! It was great to have you at Manor Wood. Hope to see you again. Matt"

Jonny Childs reviewed: Introduction to Green Woodworking

"Attended the Introduction to Green Woodworking course & as a novice to woodworking, Matt's passion & insight into this craft was brilliant and the day just flew by! Came away with some really invaluable new skills that have whetted my appetite to continue this as a hobby. Just wish I had that workshop!! The location is incredible & sitting around a fire whilst whittling the spatula I made really was something I will remember. Really lovely to hear how Matt & Emma are bringing a new lease of life to the woodlands whilst educating people. Would highly recommend. "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Jonny, thank you for your lovely review. Glad you enjoyed the day, it was great to have you at Manor Wood! Hope to see you again. Emma"

Jo Green reviewed: Spoon Carving at Manor Wood

"Wood spoon carving was a fabulous experience. Matt is an excellent teacher, showing patience and knowledge. We had a wonderful day, the course was brilliant and being within nature was perfect. I totally recommend this course and can guarantee, we will be back. "

Tony reviewed: Craft Your Own Carving Bench or Chopping Block

"Spent a great day with Mat on the Carving Bench course. The set up in the wood is very impressive with a large covered area in case of rain and a large array of tools. Mat is an excellent instructor. He explains everything in basic terms, then expands on the instruction to explain how the skills can be used for other projects. Also gives plenty of advice on tools and techniques for greenwood working in general. Having done a couple of greenwood courses this was up there with the best. Couldn't recommend Mat as an instructor highly enough. Thanks for a great day. "

Jess reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"Booked this as a Father’s Day gift and we both loved it - great family experience or something to do for any nature lover. The area was a great set up, with a fire heating up the hot water for tea/coffee, biscuits supplied and a toilet on site. Matt was patient but also allowed us to give things a go. Would have loved to stay for longer. Highly recommend! "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Jess, thank you for the lovely review. It was great to have you both at Manor Wood, glad you enjoyed the session. Matt"

Chris G reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"A peaceful and amazing location & environment. The shelters & facilities (including toilet block!) hand built with local wood. A beautiful course, expertly guided by Matt, who gave plenty of space to try things ourselves and learn at one's own pace and choice of subject."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Chris, thank you for the review. Thank you for coming to Manor Wood, really glad you enjoyed the session and the woodland. Matt"

Kingsley reviewed: Craft Your Own Longbow: One To One Woodworking Class

"Matt was an amazing expert and source of information. We started the day with a roughly two inch square piece of wood and ended the day with a bow, that was relatively easy to use. All through the day Matt was explaining what we were doing and demonstrating so I could then complete the bow. At 78 inches with a draw of 40lbs at 24 inches we made a yew bow, much more common than the ash equivalent and best suited for my purposes. Matt made sure I knew about the challenges of finding the place and the day went off without a hitch. I have a little experience of using wood tools, but on the day almost every tool was new to me – not a problem with Matt’s support. At times we were both working the bow, which meant I had plenty of time at the end to fire about 27 arrows from it. It is accurate at 10 meters and I enjoyed using a bow I created. With Matt’s experience from years of making bows, and the preparations he made for our day (exposing a single growth ring for my bow on the stave we used) it was a very enjoyable day spent in an ancient woodland."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Kingsley, thank you for the review! Very glad you enjoyed the day, it was great having you at Manor Wood. Hope to see you again soon. Matt"

Margaret reviewed: Forest School CPD - Sharp Tools and Woodland Crafts

"I took my teenage son to the whittling course this morning, he loved it! He was so inspired by the experience and knowledge gained from Matt, he's spent the rest of the day creating items including coat hooks which he has now fixed to the kitchen door, they look great. The setting is very special and peaceful with a magical quality that gives a sense of having stepped into another world, a truly relaxing space filled with beautifully handcrafted structures, tools and practical items which inspire creativity. We are looking forward to another visit soon. Thank you Matt for a memorable morning!"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Margaret, thank you for the lovely review. So glad you enjoyed the session, it was lovely to have you at Manor Wood. Matt"

Margaret Wilson reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"Emma and Matt have created a beautiful environment in which to learn wood whittling. Matt took us through the process step by step, carefully and slowly, enabling us to work at our own pace. Skilful teaching and great hospitality. Can’t recommend this highly enough! Will be back with granddaughter for children’s woodland adventure later next month. Can't wait!"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Margaret, thank you for the review. We are glad you enjoyed the session and the woodland, hope to see you again soon! Emma"

Kate reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"Such a gorgeous morning! We went with our 12 and 15 year old boys and we all loved it. Very absorbing and gave us all such a feeling of peace and contentment. Emma and Matt were great hosts and very supportive and encouraging- many thanks"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Kate, thank you for the lovely review. We are glad you all enjoyed the session, hope to see you again soon! Emma"

Lorna reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"I did the whittling course with Matt and Emma and what an amazing location. So back to basics and such a very enjoyable experience. Was a nice small group of people and plenty of help with the projects we did. The time just flew by. Would definitely recommend someone having a go at whittling and Matt is very knowledgeable and passionate about all things wood. I made 2 mushrooms and very pleased with them. Keen enough that I will be doing more of it. "

Celia Alden reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"This is our second visit which was equally enjoyable as our first visit, we brought along our grandson who had very ambitious ideas on what he wanted to make. Matt skilfully guided him through the various processes whilst allowing my grandson to do his own project independently. Brilliant. "

Sophie reviewed: Introduction to Green Woodworking

"My family and I had such a fantastic day on the Introductory to Green Woodworking course with Matt and Emma. They were both incredibly welcoming and the different tools, tasks and techniques were all excellently explained and demonstrated. Matt was always on hand to offer advice and provide extensive knowledge both about the course subjects and the surrounding woodland area. Matt was also incredibly patient and we are very grateful for the extra time he took to support our son with some of the trickier tasks - he is incredibly proud of the work he was able to achieve during the day. The outdoor workshop itself is a thing of rustic beauty and the upmost effort is made to ensure you are comfortable throughout the day (their endless supply of tea was very much appreciated!) We would definitely recommend this course to anyone who thinks they might have an interest in green wood working … and we can’t wait to return and book onto another one of the courses! Thanks again for such a fab day! "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Sophie, it was so lovely to meet you all! We're so glad you enjoyed the day and hope to see you again soon. Emma"

Naomi reviewed: Introduction to Bushcraft

"Had a fantastic day, learnt so much and felt very welcome. The woodland setting was beautiful and peaceful and the carefully thought out facilities added to the enjoyable experience. The pace was perfect, I felt like I had enough time with each activity and I was interested throughout the day. All in all an inspiring, mindful and valuable experience."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Naomi, thanks for the great review. It was a very enjoyable day, hope to see you at Manor Wood again soon! Matt"

Sophie Davis reviewed: Forest School CPD - Rope Skills

"Another super course, Matt provided a really fun day for us. The rope skills were taught in a way that meant we continued to build on our skills throughout the session, finishing off with a rope bridge and a zip line."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Sophie, thanks for another lovely review, glad you enjoyed the course! Matt"

Jo Wilson reviewed: Forest School CPD - Sharp Tools and Woodland Crafts

"A really great and instructive day. Learning and making in beautiful surroundings. Thanks Matt"

Manor Wood responded:

"Thanks for the lovely review Jo! Matt"

Louise & Rory reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"Excellent teaching level for all types. My son absolutely loved it. Matt showed him how to make a bow in about 5 mins!! We will be back."

Manor Wood responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review. Glad you enjoyed the day and hope to have you back soon! Matt"

Steve reviewed: Introduction to Green Woodworking

"I really enjoyed the day in the woods doing this course. Matt was an enthusiastic and patient teacher. I would highly recommend this course."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Steve, thank you for the great review. Glad you enjoyed the green woodworking and hope to have you back soon. Matt"

Mr H reviewed: Introduction to Green Woodworking

"Highly recommended. Matt and Emma were very welcoming from the start with a warm cuppa and introductions. Matt is clearly knowledgeable about woodland conservation and experienced in teaching wood crafts. The course was run in their own woodland, Matt ran the course at a pace that suited all and my 15 year old lad thoroughly enjoyed the day. We left having learnt new skills, whilst making / creating a wooden mallet and spatula. He has already asked about attending the long bow course. Would highly recommend Matt and Emma’s courses to anyone. Lovely, friendly, engaging and attentive people. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience and peaceful surroundings."

Manor Wood responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review! Glad you both enjoyed the day and hope to have you back soon! Emma"