Fundamental Bushcraft with Ray Mears

  1 of 16

  I entered the course with a desire to learn bushcraft skills, and I received intense training beyond my expectations. Through this course I not only gained an abundance of knowledge in woodlore but also a new sense in life. I now see my life at home much simpler and straight forward and with a greater confidence that I can achieve my goals. I’m thankful to the instructors James and Wayne and particularly Ray, as not only did he share his skills he also told us amazing stories of the indigenous people of the world whom he had met.  

  Jacob Jamieson

  2 of 16

  A thoroughly enjoyable course. With hindsight I think the intensity and drive to complete the daily schedule was just right, although at the time I thought it was too much info in such a short period of time. The training staff came across as very affable and extremely knowledgeable in their area of expertise, always willing to take to time to explain in detail when I didn’t manage to understand the first iteration. They managed to turn a gathering of individuals into a 'happy team' willing to help and support each other. Ray’s input was invaluable, the feeling within the group was that we are in the company of greatness, which was wonderful.  

  James Nigel Jamieson

  3 of 16

  The course was everything one could hope for. Ray was a fountain of knowledge and happy to share all any of his skills. Wayne and James were also extremely skilled and approachable. The course had a great friendly atmosphere and you never felt there were questions you couldn't ask. The support on the application of skills was great and much of the learning was through discussion and exploration. I can not recommend this course enough.  

  Seb Harrison

  4 of 16

  A month on it is finally time to reflect and write a review for this course. The experience exceeded all expectations, there are blogs and reviews of previous courses but none clearly articulate the experience of being on an intensive week away with someone with the breadth and depth of experience Ray brings to this subject area. I would imagine every course has a set structure but quickly evolves depending on the group, weather and experience of participants. The key to getting the most out of the course is to go in with an open mind and a can-do attitude. It is tough with long days and detailed instruction from Ray and his team, be prepared to be mentally and physically tired but have the mindset of I can and you will draw so much from the course. There was a range of experience on my course and people from all walks of life and backgrounds, it was a pleasure to meet them all, share in their experiences and support each other in this journey. Regardless of experience walking away from this course you feel like you are only at the beginning with Ray creating a solid foundation for participants to go on and develop skills. You are encouraged from day one to practice what you have been taught, to strive for quality, to keep going even when frustrated and tired. The whole experience is designed to help you reflect on your practice and to learn, every failure is a teaching point and it just goes to ensure you leave the course in a stronger position. The Woodlore team were outstanding at every stage, Wayne and James were patient with all of us, encouraging participants at every stage to develop skills and sharing their knowledge. They were also the key for the smooth running of the course ensuring we were fed and watered throughout (the food is brilliant!) and were excellent guides in enabling all of us to take away what we wanted from the course. They were happy to share their knowledge and experience and it was a pleasure working with them. Is a course with Ray worth the cost? I believe strongly that the experience of having quality full time instruction with someone who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of wilderness knowledge is priceless. Ray gave so much of his time in teaching and instruction as well as sitting around the fire with a mug of tea swapping stories and experiences. He was genuinely interested in our lives and why we were on the course and was a wealth of knowledge to draw upon through the week. Be under no illusion he is a tough teacher with incredibly high standards, quite rightly so, as he is teaching and preparing you for success in the vast array of skills you are taught during this week. It was a truly outstanding experience and you do walk away from it with a refreshed and renewed mindset and a greater respect for wilderness space. The week was a truly outstanding experience and I have already changed how I approach my travel and work in the outdoors drawing on the Woodlore values that were shared on the course.  

  Shaf Hansraj

  5 of 16

  A fantastic experience, equally challenging and inspirational…I left awake and full of life. It was an honor to be taught by Ray and to have felt connected to his own experiences, to the peoples he has met along his path, to the lineages of wilderness travel, and to the respect and beauty that bushcraft can help us perceive. It is also a gift to feel a kinship with the people I spent a week with, and to the teachings we have all shared and grown through. I look forward with energy and curiosity to practicing what I was taught and shown during the week. Thank you Ray for truly being present with us, teaching us the fundamentals with your passion and clarity, and asking us all to step up. Thank you also Wayne and James, our guides. I was struck by the simplicity and effectiveness of our camp and your tuition, supporting our learning and nudging us toward self responsibility. In short…a magical journey and a wonderful memory!  

  Gian

  6 of 16

  To all who are reading this, listen up!! I have just done a Fundamental Bushcraft course with Ray, Wayne and James, it’s hard to write in words the extent of joy and happiness I had while doing the course and the feelings I have about it upon returning to my normal life of a painter and decorator. It was by far the best experience of my life. It exceeded my expectations a million fold!! To be on a course with big man Ray himself was just the most surreal thing ever. When people say don’t meet your heroes, this does not apply to Ray or this course, he’s a bloody legend and is one of the nicest people ever. He was patient, helpful and gave us so much more personal time than I thought would happen, he was great. He took the time to ask each of us about our lives and really came across like he cared. The course itself was intimate, concise and we spent three days learning the skills we needed to then go on bivvi camps for 3 days and use the skills we learnt. I’m lucky that on this course it was a small group and I bonded with all the people there very closely. The assistants Wayne and James were so lovely I can’t even begin to tell you, I can’t imagine having wanted anybody else to have been with us now I have been with them. They were really really personable and patient, good spirited, very professional and a big big credit to woodlore. Also James makes a wicked tzatziki!! Wayne was so nice to me and I really felt he cared about all of us and wanted us all to do well, both Wayne and James were ultra ultra lovely. Diana at the office is also really lovely on the phone when you ring the office prior to going on the course, she was bright and cheery to talk to which just added to the overall amazing experience of the whole thing. If you are reading this review just pull your finger out and get on and book a course!! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!! It has changed my life and has made me look at things differently. I’m so glad that I done it, I will never ever forget it. To Ray, Wayne and James, l love you guys man!!! You have made me a better man.  

  Chris Bates

  7 of 16

  It was a great week. Ray was not only sharing his deep knowledge of Bushcraft and how to use it in England but also, since I’m from Sweden, gave me a lot of valuable things that I can use when I go back home. Wayne and James took great care of us. Always there helping out and answering questions. Can strongly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn more about Bushcraft from the best  

  Jonas Parandian

  8 of 16

  It was an amazing week with Ray, Wayne and James. The course was better than I could have imagined. The amount we learnt was quite incredible and the (very) hard work now is going to be remembering what we learnt and putting it into practice!  

  John M

  9 of 16

  If our time on earth is valuable and means anything at all, then this week with Ray and the team was a brilliant way to spend it. I have come away enriched with new knowledge and experience, seen the natural world in a deeper and more significant way. The week equipped me not just for enjoying the outdoors, but also for managing my everyday life. Wayne and James were also great people to have around and guide us through the territory and the many tasks. Everyone should do such a course if they genuinely care about the natural ecology. I also made some good pals on the course which was a bonus. It was a real privilege to spend the week with Ray, his skills, stories, generosity and encyclopedic knowledge are an asset and of enormous value to all of us. Thank you.  

  Edward Lancaster

  10 of 16

  This is quite a remarkable course for many reasons. Ray has an encyclopedic knowledge of the subjects and teaches in an informal and easy to understand way with both humour and passion. He is ceaselessly patient and approachable. I can honestly say I have never met a teacher like him. The course is a comprehensive introduction to a complex subject taught fully within a forest with no access to modern tech and an emphasis on the practical. It succeeds in a way that class room based courses could only dream of. It helps individuals engage with experiences that they would never consider but in a way that seems entirely within their capability. It is a course that does push you but then that is how bushcraft should be practiced. The skills that we obtained by the end were practiced without thinking and I can honestly say that we came out of it different people. This is an experience like no other and I cannot recommend it enough.  

  Tim T.