Manor Wood reviews

Trish reviewed: Craft Your Own Carving Bench or Chopping Block

"Fabulous day out in the middle of an area of maintained wood near Grafham Water with limited network. Matt was friendly, knowledgeable and clearly enjoyed his craft. We successfully completed the carving block by hand and although you don't have to be fit to do this, but the fitter you are the better. Matt guided us through every step. He was patient and a pleasure to spend the day with. The day was 100x better than we thought it would be. For wannabe woodworkers this is the course to do first so that you can make future wooden objects. I'll be booking those courses with Matt in due course. "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Trish, thanks for the lovely review, really glad you enjoyed making the carving bench. Hope to see you at Manor Wood again! Matt"

Jenni reviewed: Introduction to Green Woodworking

"Fantastic! This was a lovely day spent in the woods for me and my Mum. It was really exciting learning how to take a bit of tree trunk and turn it into a tool that we could use. And very satisfying! Matt and Emma were very welcoming, and Matt is a great teacher - he taught us the practical side of things and also shared knowledge and context that gave us more depth of understanding. And it was great having cups of tea round the fire on a cold day! I'd absolutely recommend this course."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Jenni, thanks for your lovely review, so glad you enjoyed the day! Looking forward to seeing you at the next one. Matt"

Thomas reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"My 10 year old son and I took part in this session and had the most beautiful few hours. Matt and Emma welcomed us into their forest idyll and their gentle, expert, instruction enabled us all to go away with something to be proud of. It was a magical few hours with wonderful company and left us feeling really at peace but enthused to do more wood craft!"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Thomas, thank you for the lovely review. So glad you enjoyed the morning! Emma"

Alastair Kidd reviewed: Introduction to Green Woodworking

"This was a fantastic day. Matt and Emma are extremely welcoming and the small group size made it possible to try everything and be given plenty of individual help. Matt clearly knows his stuff and is a genuine enthusiast. He has a calm and reassuring presence that gave me confidence to try the different tools and techniques. Really enjoyable and learnt a lot."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Alastair, thank you for the lovely review. Glad you enjoyed the course, see you at the next one! Emma"

Alex reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"A great course. Matt was very knowledgeable on all aspects of whittling and the forest we worked in. I was pretty pleased with my mushroom."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Alex, thank you for the review! So glad you enjoyed the workshop, hope to see you at Manor Wood again. Matt"

Samantha Chambers reviewed: Introduction to Green Woodworking

"I gifted the Introduction to Green Woodworking course as a Christmas present for my dad and we had a fantastic day (1st March). Matt is an excellent teacher, very patient, good at explaining and answered every question we had (and we were not shy in asking) and has an admirable and inspiring approach to conservation. Effortlessly approachable and keenly observant, offering tips to make your efforts more efficient (& staying safe). It was also simply a lovely place to spend the day, sat around a gentle fire to take the winter chill off, whilst surrounded by the woodland. The site setup had everything needed; toilets, shelter, campfire and constant flow of tea. Keen to go back to level up our newly acquired skills. Strongly recommend!"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Samantha, thank you for the lovely review. It was lovely to have you all at Manor Wood, so glad you enjoyed the day. Matt"

Ed H reviewed: Craft Your Own Longbow: One To One Woodworking Class

"I did the longbow course with Matt this last weekend and it was an absolute joy! He's super personable and knowledgeable, and also a fantastic teacher. We worked on the bow together, him modelling the tools and techniques before letting me at it. As we were working, he was giving tips and supporting my work in a really useful way, helping me work around the idiosyncrasies of the particular piece of wood. We had time to shoot a few arrows at the end of the day too, and it shot like a dream! In addition to the woodworking, the woods were a really brilliant place to spend a day, and Matt's enthusiasm for them was a real highlight. We had a good chat over lunch about the work he's doing, and I'm definitely planning to be back when the bluebells are out! "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Ed, thanks for taking the time to write such a lovely review! So glad you enjoyed the course, hope to see you again at Manor Wood. Matt"

Gerard Dunne reviewed: Introduction to Bushcraft

"The course was brilliant. The instructor was friendly, clear and concise with his instructions and obviously passionate about what he wanted to share and his love of nature also. The 'back to nature' way of making drinks etc. was lovely, teas and coffee always tastes better when the water is boiled over an open fire. Thank you and I will be back, with friends and colleagues from work very soon. Highly recommended."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Gerard, thank you for the lovely review! Hope to see you at Manor Wood again. Matt"

Peter reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"Matt did a super job in a great forest surrounding ✌️"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Peter, thanks for your review. Hope to see you at Manor Wood again soon! Matt"

Fran reviewed: Forest School CPD - Rope Skills

"Fantastic course in a beautiful woodland. Everyone was made to feel really welcome and Matt confidently supported all learning styles. I have some exciting new rope skills in my repertoire now! I would recommend to everyone :)"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Fran, thanks for the lovely review! Glad you enjoyed the day and gained new rope skills! Matt"

Steph Hensman reviewed: Introduction to Bushcraft

"Really enjoyed the day. Fantastic host and very good instruction. "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Steph, thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed the day! Matt"

Alice reviewed: Introduction to Bushcraft

"I enjoyed this course so much. A fantastic day out learning a multitude of skills and bushcraft knowledge. Matt was super lovely and knowledgeable and a pleasure to be around. I feel really satisfied with the experience and already thinking about coming back for another course. Thank you so much!"

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Alice, thank you for the lovely review. So glad you enjoyed the day. It was great to have you at Manor Wood, hope to see you again! Matt"

Caroline Gregson reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"Excellent course on a lovely sunny winter’s day. Surprising what we could achieve. We will be booking more! "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Caroline, thank you for the lovely review. Hope to see you at Manor Wood again! Emma"

Nigel Sandbrook reviewed: Whittling Workshop

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

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Nigel, thank you for the review! It was lovely to have you at Manor Wood, glad you enjoyed the session. Emma"

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"