Discover traditional woodland crafts, conservation skills and heritage countryside techniques in our Grown in Britain certified ancient woodland in the South Downs National Park. Whether you’re a woodland owner, outdoor enthusiast or complete beginner, our hands-on courses will give you practical skills and knowledge you can take home and use.
We offer a range of woodland courses aimed at both the small woodland owner and those with an interest in learning woodland skills.
For more information about each of the courses use the links.
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
Being able to identify the trees growing within a woodland is a key skill in understanding how that woodland functions and how it can be managed sustainably.
Our Tree Identification and Uses course is designed for those working in woodland management, small woodland owners, countryside enthusiasts and anyone wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the trees they encounter on woodland walks.
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
Discover the foundations of sustainable woodland management on this practical introduction to caring for and working within woodland environments.
Using examples from our own woodland, this course explores a range of traditional and modern management techniques and the reasons behind them.
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
This is a practical course aimed at both woodland workers, woodland owners and those with an interest in the great outdoors.
You will learn the basic skills needed to manage coppice effectively including:
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
Join us in our woodland workshop and discover this fascinating heritage craft for yourself.
Our Pole Lathe Turning Course is designed to introduce beginners to the skills and techniques of traditional green woodworking. Using a traditional foot-powered pole lathe and hand tools.
During the course you will learn:
Basic tool safety
How to care for and maintain your tools
Selecting suitable timber for turning
Safe and effective pole lathe techniques
Turning your own finished item
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
Step into our ancient Hampshire woodland and discover the dark art of the charcoal burner — learning traditional skills, firecraft, and the timeless process of turning timber into beautiful British charcoal.
This hands-on course is designed to give you the practical skills and confidence needed to successfully produce your own charcoal using traditional or modern methods.
During the course you will cover:
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
Our Hedge Laying Taster Days are some of our most popular winter courses, offering a practical introduction to this traditional countryside craft in just a single day.
This highly hands-on course gives you the opportunity to work directly on a hedge while learning to safely use a range of traditional tools and techniques.
During the course we will cover:
Risk assessment and safe working practices
Basic tool maintenance and sharpening
Selecting and using stakes and binders
The principles and purpose of hedge laying
Practical hedge laying techniques in the field
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
Step into the hidden history of the woodland and discover how generations of people have shaped the landscapes we live and work in today.
Learn to read the signs beneath your feet, uncovering traces of past industries, woodland management, and rural life woven into the landscape.
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
Join us in our own Grown in Britain certified woodland in Hampshire and learn how to identify common woodland plants, understand what they reveal about woodland history and management.
learn to identify:
1 Day | Beginner Friendly
Join us in our purpose-built workshop and discover the traditional craft of leatherworking by making your own handcrafted leather belt.
This hands-on course is the perfect introduction to working with leather, giving you the opportunity to learn practical skills while creating a durable, high-quality belt to take home. Whether for everyday wear or as a unique handmade gift, you’ll leave with a finished product you can be proud of.
Guided throughout by the Three Copse team, you will learn:
Answer: All of our woodland based courses are run in our own piece of ancient woodland, nr the village of Clanfield in Hampshire close to the A3 and A272.
Answer: No, we do not provide food; however, tea and coffee are available throughout the day.
Answer:Â Â Yes, all our courses are beginner friendly, we aim to tailor our course to the person joining us to make it a truly unique experience
Answer:Â Â No, we always aim to teach from the ground up, so no previous experience is needed on any of our courses
yes, we aim to carter for all ages. Some of our more physical course may require some adaptation but with notice this can be catered for. While we try and make access for all possible this has to be tempered with the natural state of the woodland so it may not be ideal for manual wheelchairs or mobility scooters. We can arrange disable accessible course space for our leather work courses by prior arrangement.
Answer: Yes, although those under 18 require an adult to attend for insurance and safeguarding purposes
Answer: While we try to carry on as much as possible sadly sometimes rain and wind do stop play for safety reasons, because our woodland causes are run in the great outdoors the weather can affect how and if we are able to run, gale force winds and trees are not a good combination, if we have to postpone a course we will try and give as much notice as possible and arrange an alternative date.
Answer: Yes, we regularly send out gift vouchers to participants where a relative wishes to give a gift. Please use our contact us page to ask for more details.
Answer: yes, generally park course attendees in an area just of the road as access to our work and training area is by 4x4 only.
For our leather work course over road parking is available
Answer: yes, we encourage our participants to take photo’s and share the love on social media, the only time this may change is if there are safeguarding issues with under 18’s present.
Answer: Yes, we provide all tools and materials for our courses although if you have you own tools you are welcome to bring them along.
Answer: There are a good number of local hotels and b and b’s in the area for which we can give you detail on application.
Answer: Please wear sturdy outdoor clothing suitable for the weather and strong footwear. Avoid loose clothing, jewellery, or anything that could become caught in machinery.
These courses are taught by Kester Westcott, one of the founders of Three Copse Woodland Products. Kester holds qualifications if forestry as well as a BSc (Hons.) in Wildlife Management and has over 20 years of practical experience in woodland management, charcoal production, coppicing, green woodworking and other traditional rural crafts.
Our ancient woodland at Three Copse is owned by Chris and managed by the family using traditional, sustainable woodland management practices. Covering 60 acres within the South Downs, the woodland is designated as a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC) and is certified by Grown in Britain, recognising our commitment to responsible and sustainable woodland stewardship.
The woodland provides a rich habitat for wildlife while also supplying the sustainably sourced timber used in many of our courses, crafts and charcoal production.