Woodland can be managed in a number of ways, and this Basic woodland management course will cover several different methods with examples in our own wood....
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Step into our ancient Hampshire woodland and discover the traditional craft of charcoal burning. Learn how timber is transformed into high-quality British charcoal, from preparing the wood and managing the burn to emptying, grading and bagging the finished product.
At Three Copse, you’ll learn in our real working woodland, which is certified by Grown in Britain, from experienced charcoal makers. Gain practical experience of traditional techniques and modern charcoal-making equipment.
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.
Our introductory course focuses on using our oil-barrel kiln and Hookway retort, providing an excellent foundation in small-scale charcoal production.
During the course, we’ll explore:
The history and principles of charcoal burning
Selecting and preparing suitable timber
How the kiln and retort work
Managing and monitoring the charcoal-making process
Safe shutdown and cooling procedures
Emptying and understanding the finished charcoal
Set within our ancient Hampshire woodland, this is an opportunity to learn about traditional charcoal making from experienced woodland workers in a real working environment.
Course price
For those wanting to take their understanding of charcoal production further, we offer more intensive training covering traditional and commercial charcoal-making methods.
Working with our Ring Kiln and Exeter Charcoal Retort, you’ll explore the process in greater depth, from selecting and preparing timber through to loading, firing, monitoring the burn, and grading and bagging the finished charcoal.
These courses draw on our practical experience of producing charcoal in a working woodland and can be tailored to your interests, experience and objectives.
Intensive training can be arranged over three to five days, depending on the content and your requirements.
Interested in advanced charcoal making?
Get in touch to discuss your experience, what you’d like to learn and the options available.
Charcoal making has been practised for at least 8,000 years. We describe it as an art because successful charcoal burning relies on experience, careful observation and an understanding of how wood behaves as it heats and carbonises.
Although the equipment and techniques we demonstrate include methods developed during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the underlying skills have much deeper roots, connecting today’s charcoal burners with generations of craftspeople before them.
On our courses, we’ll also explore how the landscape, woodland management and the availability of suitable timber have shaped the work of the charcoal burner throughout history.
All of our woodland courses take place in our own ancient woodland right here in the heart of the South Downs, Hampshire Nr Clanfield
Our Basic Charcoal Making Course lasts around seven hours, giving us time to explore the whole process, from selecting and preparing timber to making charcoal and understanding how the finished product is used.
Tea and coffee are provided throughout the course. Other food is not included, although we can arrange a barbecue if requested in advance.
There are a number of local hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in the area. We can provide details on request.
No previous experience is needed for our Basic Charcoal Making Course. We explain the process from the ground up and adapt the teaching to the people attending.
Wear older outdoor clothing suitable for the weather and strong footwear. Avoid loose clothing and jewellery that could become caught in equipment. As charcoal making involves hot equipment, fire and the risk of sparks, your clothing may get dirty or damaged, so please dress accordingly. You’ll also need to follow the safety instructions given during the course.
Our charcoal-making courses take place outdoors, so please come prepared for the weather. If conditions make it unsafe to continue, for example during strong winds, we may need to postpone the course. If this happens, we’ll give you as much notice as possible and arrange an alternative date.
Yes, younger people are welcome, subject to our arrangements for under-18s. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for insurance and safeguarding purposes. As charcoal making involves fire, hot equipment and potentially hazardous tools, all participants must follow the safety instructions given during the course.
Yes, a charcoal-making course can make an unusual and memorable gift for someone interested in woodland crafts and traditional skills. Please contact us to discuss gift options and arrangements.
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