Bushcraft with Graythwaite Adventure

One of the best ways to experience the Lake District is to spend a day in nature, and there are few better ways than an afternoon learning bushcraft. We caught up with Hannah from Graythwaite Adventure to learn what got her involved with bushcraft, and what it actually is.

For me, bushcraft is all about learning new skills to work in harmony with the natural world. Using the resources around you with minimal equipment to provide for yourself, keeping warm, dry and fed. At Graythwaite Adventure, we teach guests the basics of tracking in the woodland, how to build a shelter out of what you can find around us, and the techniques to start a fire using a ferro rod and fatwood. Once the sparks have ignited, we’ll show you the best way to build the fire and keep it going to cook on the flames. The excitement in people’s faces using their own fire to make a brew is great *smile*.

Every bushcraft experience is slightly different, with the content and conversation lead by the guests and what they’d like to achieve from the experience. Recently a family joined us, and we started with a walk around the woodland. This allows everyone a moment to switch off and start to feel the benefits of being in the outdoors. For the children we set up a little scavenger hunt, looking out for pinecones, feathers, animal tracks, whatever we can find in the habitat. Who doesn’t enjoy a treasure hunt, so the adults always get really involved too.  Sometimes, as an instructor, it’s nice to step back and let families and friends really connect, without all the distractions of daily life.

At the bushcraft tent, I teach guests how to make a fire out of what you can find close by, for the damper days don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of kindling in the tent *smile*. Starting a fire with simple tools gets everyone involved, then we build the fire to make hot chocolate and s’mores, bushcraft style; using a ghillie kettle to heat up the water over the fire, and long sticks as skewers for marshmallows. Something about being around the campfire brings out the best in people and conversation flows; it’s great to find out where people have come from, offer tips on places to explore in the Lakes and just generally share experiences and stories with each other.

What I really love about bushcraft is how present everyone is, I barely see anyone get a phone out, not that there’s any signal anyway *laughs*. It’s all about people enjoying the moment in the woods.

For a more immersive experience we also offer longer bushcraft experiences that may include friction fire lighting methods with bow drills, foraging in the ancient woodland and campfire cookery. Whether we have a group of kids unfamiliar with the environment, or seasoned outdoor enthusiasts we tailor the whole session.

We had an absolutely amazing time on the 2-hour Family Bushcraft! From start to finish, the experience was perfectly suited to all ages, and Hannah made sure everyone felt included and engaged. Our son was thrilled to learn survival skills like fire-lighting and shelter-building, and even the adults picked up some great tips! The setting was beautiful and serene, adding to the sense of adventure. It was a wonderful way for us to bond as a family while connecting with nature and learning practical skills. I’d highly recommend this activity to any family looking for a unique and memorable outdoor experience. Graythwaite Adventure really goes above and beyond to make it fun, informative, and unforgettable. We can’t wait to come back for another adventure!

Before joining the team at Graythwaite Adventure I had a passion for the outdoors and thriving in it. Ever since I was little, all my spare time would be outside. We’d go for weekends away in the Lake District and my mum taught me ‘minimal stuff’. Essentially, you don’t need a lot of materialistic things to have a good time. We had a tent and a little camp stove and would go out into the fells *smile*.

Now I put my childhood and love for the outdoors into practice as a Scout leader, spending my time teaching younger people new skills and showing them that there is more to life than technology. Passing on the benefits of immersing yourself in the woods for an afternoon, how much it relaxes you, using it as a re-set to escape the busy world we all find ourselves in.

Now I get the urge to go further afield, to more remote places *smile*. Me and my partner go away on road trips, wild camping and cooking as wild as we can. Recently we took our Land Rover to Scandinavia. Spending 6 weeks in Norway and Sweden using outdoor skills, just as we teach in bushcraft. We did have a gas stove just in case though *laughs*. Cooking and eating outdoors is always better!