We are back in the woods in 2022! Having missed two years of Days in the Woods, we are really looking forward to welcoming you back to Bottoms’ Corner. Take a look at what’s on offer below; if you need more information please contact us or make a booking direct through the site, using Eventbrite. We hope to hear from you soon. Jane and Guy
Come spend an enjoyable and relaxing day with us in our lovely hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner, to savour some good company, quite a lot of chat, as well as some pretty good home-baked cakes, whilst learning to do or make something interesting and probably useful at the same time. Spend a day with Wassledine for some constructive relaxation.
Gift certificates
We offer gift certificates that may be redeemed against any of our products so if you are after a gift for someone who might appreciate a Wassledine Day in the Woods, find out more here.
Arrange your own special event
We are very happy to run courses for you at your own venue if you have the space and we can also arrange special events for small groups of friends or colleagues at Bottoms’ Corner in Gravenhurst – team building, for a celebration… ..if you’re interested, please contact us to chat over your ideas.
Please note – we run courses for other organisations at other venues, so do check the venue before booking.
One recent customer posted on Facebook… I attended the beginner’s basket weaving course with Wassledine. I had an amazing day that far exceeded expectations. I came away with a basket that I was proud of and felt so happy and relaxed after spending time in the woods. There’s something magical about woods! Jane, Guy and Ed are such lovely people that made us feel so welcome and ensured we had a plentiful supply of hot drinks and Jane’s delicious cake.
Training day
Make a willow obelisk plant support
Sunday 24 April 2022, 10am-4pm
A day session to learn how to make a simple obelisk shaped support for your garden, from willow.
We make lots of obelisk plant supports from willow each year. They are great for growing sweet peas or any other climbing plant and are relatively easy to make. In the day, you will create something to take away and use in your own garden. We’ll also spend a little time talking about willow – choosing, sorting and selecting.
The course will take place in our beautiful working, hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner; you’ll enjoy just being there all day. There’s a walk of about 300m, through the wood, from the car park to the venue although we can provide a lift for anyone who needs it. Please contact us if you are concerned about your physical ability to enjoy the day; we will do as much as we can to make it possible. It will require a large amount of bending and kneeling. Please bring secateurs and a pair of loppers if you have some, and perhaps something to kneel on. You will also need to have a reasonable sized car to carry your creation home – we will make sure you make one small enough to fit!
This day will be led by Guy Lambourne of Wassledine who has made many, many obelisks over the years and run one or two of these training days every year for the last few years.
We will provide all materials, tools, tea, coffee, other soft drinks, biscuits and cakes. Please bring your own packed lunch.
Cost – £80
How to book – we are using Eventbrite for payment and booking – please click here
Feedback from past participants…
“All fantastic” “Beautiful [venue]” “Thank you so much for such a wonderful day. I can’t believe what you helped me to achieve. I can’t wait to put the obelisk in my garden” “Delicious lemon cake” “Wonderful place, great teaching [and] cakes” “Of the loo…”private and excellent view. The best wee I’ve had in a long time”. “Really good fun”. “Never thought I’d be able to do it”
Training day
Make a willow ball
Saturday 7 May 2022, 10am-4pm
We’ve been making willow balls for years (actually Guy has) and they always prove popular, especially with gardeners who buy them to use as a focal point, perhaps to train plants through or even to hang from trees. Over the course of the day, you’ll make a ball of about 12-18 inches diameter, entirely from some of our finest willow. There’s no wire, string or anything else involved, but you’ll need a fair amount of persistence and a bit of strength in your hands! The day will be led by Guy Lambourne of Wassledine, who started making willow balls after seeing pictures of some in a newspaper. It took a while to work out how to do it and it’s this method that he will pass on to you today.
The day will take place in our beautiful working, hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner; we find most people thoroughly enjoy just being there all day. There’s a walk of about 300m from the car park to the venue. We can provide a lift for anyone who needs it. Please contact us if you are concerned about your physical ability to enjoy the day; we will do as much as we can to make it possible. Please bring secateurs and a pair of loppers if you have some (we always have some spares).
Cost – £90 (includes course fee, all materials, tea, coffee, fruit and cake)
We will provide all materials, tools, tea, coffee, other soft drinks, biscuits and cakes. Please bring your own packed lunch.
To book, click here
Feedback from past participants…
“Took longer than I imagined” “Love the tranquil setting” “Delicious cakes” “Fabulous venue” “Informal and informative” “Great fun and we all achieved something” “I’ve eaten too much cake!” “Fantastic day, really enjoyable, thank you” “scary prospect but really fine with brilliant view!” [on the composting toilet]
Springtime Treasure Box Tales – Sunday 8 May, 2.30-4.30pm
Open Jane’s treasure box to see what stories spring out. It’s a beautiful time of year to walk in the woods, listen to some stories and enjoy the sound of birdsong. Jane will lead you through the trees to a secret story glade, you’ll be entertained by tales of our feathered friends and be invited to create your own fabulous fibs from Jane’s box of treasures.
Tickets – £7.50 per person
Your ticket includes refreshments at the woodland tea party with delicious homemade cakes. Book using Eventbrite here
Comments from previous event: “Lovely setting and very engaging storytelling” “Fantastic selection of cakes” “Can’t wait for next time” “A lovely way to bring children closer to nature”
Basket making for beginners, with Ed Burnett
Training day
Saturday 14 May 2022, 10am-5pm
We are delighted that local craftsman Ed Burnett will be returning to Bottoms’ Corner in 2022 to lead another basket making Day in the Woods. Expect a fairly intense day but fear not, Ed’s calm and clear teaching style always makes everyone feel relaxed and inspires confidence to produce something beautifully baskety by day’s end.
The day will focus on making a simple round basket.
Basket making does require some strength in the hands but it can be done whilst sitting. The day will take place in our beautiful working, hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner; you’ll enjoy just being there all day. There’s a walk of about 300m from the car park to the venue. We can provide a lift for anyone who needs it. Please contact us if you are concerned about your physical ability to enjoy the day; we will do as much as we can to make it possible. Please bring secateurs if you have some, but some pairs will be available to borrow.
Ed is a man of many parts. He has worked in local authorities in the past, managing countryside sites and country parks, but now devotes himself to crafts of one type and another. He is known locally for his wonderful carvings and wooden commemorative plaques as well as his baskets. He also lays large lengths of hedge each winter.
£85 per person
For further information and to book please click here.
Feedback from participants…
“An amazing day” “Beautiful location, great tutor and amazing hospitality” “Therapeutic, creative, educational and all in a glorious setting. Wonderful!”
We will provide all materials, tools, tea, coffee, other soft drinks, biscuits and cakes. Please bring your own packed lunch.
Saturday 18 June 2022
Make a green wood stool
Under Ed Burnett’s careful and patient tuition, make your own basic stool from bits of tree. This will involve the use of shave horse, axe, draw knife and spoke shave to make three legs, then a variety of other tools to make the seat. You will go home carrying your creation to enjoy in the future.
Some manual dexterity is required and you’ll need to be happy to use some sharp hand tools, although no previous experience is necessary and there will be plenty of help to hand.
This day will task place in Bottoms’ Corner Wood in Gravenhurst, our lovely working hazel coppice. There is a 300m walk from car parking area to the venue, across grass and up a slope. If you have any concerns regarding your ability to enjoy the day please contact us in advance.
We will provide all materials, tools, tea, coffee, other soft drinks, biscuits and cakes. Please bring your own packed lunch.
Cost- £85 per person
Please click here to place an order
Summer Stories and Craft – Weaving in the woods, Sunday 14 August
Enjoy a lazy summer afternoon in the woods with some relaxing storytelling and craft. On a stroll through the trees, you’ll be entertained with tales as Jane weaves stories together from woodland words. After a delicious tea party, you can unwind while weaving with natural materials to create a memento of the day.
Tickets – £7.50 per person
Your ticket includes refreshments at the woodland tea party with tasty homemade cakes.
To book click here
Autumn Storytelling in the woods, Sunday 9 October
Step into the setting of some of our favourite traditional tales and watch out for wolves as Jane leads you on a storytelling adventure in the woods. The woodcutter will be on hand to tell you about the coppicing cycle and the wildlife in the woods. Find out what delicious treats Red Riding Hood carried in her basket as we reach Grandmother’s glade for the autumnal tea party.
Tickets – £7.50 per person
Your ticket includes all tasty treats and refreshments at the woodland tea party.
To book, click here