Hazel, willow, beef and storytelling from Bedfordshire

Courses and events

We are really looking forward to welcoming you back to Bottoms’ Corner in 2024. 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

enjoy a day of constructive relaxation with Wassledine at Bottoms' Corner Wood

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 certificateswassledine gift certificates are available now

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 plant support obelisk

Sunday 21 April 2024, 10am-4pm

A day session to learn how to make a simple obelisk shaped plant support for your garden, from willow.

Starting the side weave
Guy demonstrating a pairing weave
Always time for tea and cake
Adding the finishing touches
Wassledine's obelisk making students in April 2023
Class of 2023 – wonderful obelisks at Bottoms’ Corner Wood
At the start of the day

We make lots of obelisk plant supports from willow each year. They are great for growing sweet peas or any other climbing plant and it’s relatively easy to make a functioning one. 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, near Gravenhurst; you’re bound to enjoy just being there all day. It’s a lovely setting for a tranquil day and you will be welcome to wander and discover its secrets.

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 – £85  

How to book – please click here to book and pay (Eventbrite)

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” “Really good fun”. “Never thought I’d be able to do it” “Wonderful place, great teaching [and] cakes” [Of the loo]…”private and excellent view. The best wee I’ve had in a long time”.


Training day

Make a willow ball

Saturday 4 May 2024, 10am-4pm

Make a willow ball in the woods with Wassledine
Make a willow ball in the woods
successful ball makers
make a willow ball in the woods with Wassledine
Make a willow ball in the woods with Wassledine
Make a willow ball in the woods with Wassledine
Make a willow ball in the woods with Wassledine
Make a willow ball in the woods with Wassledine

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 course will take place in our beautiful working, hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner, near Gravenhurst; you’re bound to enjoy just being there all day. It’s a lovely setting for a tranquil day and you will be welcome to wander and discover its secrets.

Cost – £90 (includes course fee, all materials, tea, coffee, fruit and cake)

For more information and to book via Eventbrite, 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]


Training day

Basket making for beginners

Saturday 18 May 2024, 10am-5pm

basket making day in the woods with Wassledine
basket making day in the woods with Wassledine
basket making with Wassledine
basket making day in the woods with Wassledine
Bottoms' Corner - Wassledine's beautiful hazel coppice. A great place to spend a day
Making baskets in Bottoms' Corner
An intense but most satisfying day
basket making with Wassledine
basket making day in the woods with Wassledine

We are delighted that local craftsman Ed Burnett will be returning to Bottoms’ Corner in 2024 to lead another basket making Day in the Woods. There’s a surprising amount to making even a simple basket, so 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. We will focus on making a simple round basket using willow grown in our own willow beds on Gravenhurst.

Basket making does require some strength in the hands but it can be done whilst sitting.

The course will take place in our beautiful working, hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner, near Gravenhurst; most of our visitors enjoy just being there all day. It’s a lovely setting for some constructive relaxation and you will be welcome to wander and discover its secrets.

Price £90

For more information and to book please click here (link to our Eventbrite page)

The tutor

Ed Burnett is a Bedfordshire craftsman who spends a great deal of time carving signs and memorials these days. Although a master of other crafts such as basket making and hedge laying, he has also worked in the management of country parks and other local recreational facilities in Beds and Herts. Ed has been teaching at Wassledine for many years now and his relaxed style always goes down very well with participants.

Comments from previous course participants…

“Everything was perfect. Tranquil area to lose yourself in some willow weaving”; (of the tutor) -“as hands on as needed. Always available”; “fantastic hosts and a lovely group”; “made a lovely basket which surprised me”; “absolutely loved everything”


Training day

Mindfulness in the woods

Sunday 19 May 2024, 10am-4pm

mindfulness in the woods with Aurora star and Wassledine
mindfulness in the woods with Aurora star
mindfulness in the woods with Wassledine
Mindfulness in the Woods with Aurora Star

Enjoy the health-promoting benefits of learning meditation and mindfulness and also of being connected to nature, all in one day.

Do you want to lead a more balanced, focused, healthy stress-free life? If the answer is yes then join me, Sam Lacey, at a beautiful peaceful location in private woodland, near Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire, where we will explore together different mindfulness and meditation techniques whilst surrounded by and immersed in nature.

There have been many studies that prove the health-promoting benefits of learning meditation and mindfulness and also of being connected outside to nature. With our Mindfulness in the Woods day we combine the two!

The day will begin with a relaxed meetup around the campfire, with a selection of refreshments and homemade cakes, followed by a gentle exploration of different techniques from breathwork, body awareness, grounding, centering and protection, forest bathing invitations, journaling, mindfulness exercises, focusing on external stimuli and sensory awareness, visualisation, finishing off the day by creating your own nature mandala.

This is a fully immersive experience to give you tools that you can use in your everyday life to bring a sense of peace and stillness.

Joining instructions will be sent to you shortly before the day of the workshop.

Cost – £55

For further information and to book please click here (links to our Eventbrite page)

Feedback from past participants…

“Sam is very authentic, calming and an amazing leader for meditation”; Amazing energy and vibe…”; “amazing facilities in the woods and super lovely cake”; “beautiful space, amazing hospitality – thank you”; “lovely, gentle and relaxed[teaching style]”; “so tranquil, beautiful, restorative”; “ginger cake was delicious”


Training day

Make a foot stool from a log

1st and 8th June 2024, 9.30am-4.30pm

Course details

This two-day course will introduce you to working green wood (wood direct from the tree that has not been processed or dried) with hand tools. You will make a foot stool with a woven top to take home. The wood will be sourced from our own woodland where the course is being held and the weaving completed using environmentally friendly Danish cord. No previous experience is necessary. The course also provides the opportunity to spend a relaxing couple of days in a beautiful and peaceful woodland setting. Plenty of tea and coffee with homemade cake is on offer throughout both days and is included in the price.

The first day will focus on splitting logs and making the component parts of the stool using shave horses and drawknifes. The shave horse and drawknife are traditional tools used in chairmaking and other crafts. The second day will be taken up assembling the stool parts and weaving the top.

Both days have the potential to be quite full-on and, if necessary, finish times may over-run a bit to make sure things get finished. If participants don’t manage to complete all components by the end of day 1, there will be spares available so that everyone has everything ready to start the assembly phase at the beginning of day 2. You do not need to be a bodybuilder, but a reasonable level of physical fitness is required, particularly in the hands/wrists, so if you have any doubts about this please call us for a chat before booking.

Course tutor

The course will be led by local craftsman Tim Spencer. Tim has been making things from wood since childhood, but about 8 years ago he became obsessed with carving spoons and, following a course with green woodworker Mike Abbott, graduated to making chairs and stools (although spoons still feature from time to time). Tim says his epiphany was when, after years of making things from straight, flat wood, he experienced the satisfaction of making useful items straight from the log; he now enjoys getting other people involved in green woodworking and getting the same satisfaction from it as he does.

Course Venue

The course will take place outside in our own, beautiful Bottoms’ Corner Wood, a working hazel woodland that’s part of the Wassledine farm, Upper Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire.

The wood is midway between the villages of Gravenhurst and Campton, near Shefford.  It’s a location that’s hidden away; we will send directions a couple of weeks before the course starts.

Although it’s a beautiful setting, please be aware that the facilities are quite basic. There is off road parking along a surfaced but bumpy track. We have an outside, composting toilet with camping style hand wash.

Access

There’s a walk of about 300m over grass rides (including a slope), from the car park, through the woodland to the venue. We can provide a lift from the car park for you if you need it. If you would like to come by public transport, please let us know in advance; we will assist if we can.

Cost – £225 per person for both days, to include all tools and materials, tea, coffee, soft drinks and cakes throughout.

Please bring outdoor gear – hats, coat, sun hat, sunblock. Lunch each day

To book please click here


A series of family events (aimed at children over 5 and their adult companions) that provide memorable experiences and a chance to enjoy the woods through the different seasons. Each event varies but always includes storytelling and refreshments in a beautiful woodland setting.
Magic & Minibeasts

Sunday 9th June 2024, 2-4.30pm

Bottoms’ Corner wood opens its gate once more to welcome you to explore off the beaten track. This family event combines a woodland walk with storytelling, tea and cakes, free time to explore and search for minibeasts. In the storytelling glade you’ll discover what magical events occur on a midsummer’s eve; in the secret glade you’ll be treated to a woodland tea party; and there will be equipment for you to use in your hunt for tiny creatures of the wood.

Suitable for children over 5 years old and adults of all ages. Please note the ground is uneven and the route include some slopes.

A ticket is required for each person (adult or child) attending.

Tickets £8 per person which includes all refreshments.

Or a £32 Family Ticket for up to 5 people

For further information and to book please click here (links to our Eventbrite page)

Bottoms’ Corner is part of the Wassledine Farm in Gravenhurst.  Exact location and directions will be sent after booking.


Make a traditional besom broom

Saturday 15 June 2024, 10am-3pm

Make a besom with Wassledine from 100% locally grown materials, using only traditional methods
Make a besom from 100% locally grown materials, using only traditional methods
Make a besom with Wassledine from 100% locally grown materials, using only traditional methods
Make a besom with Wassledine from 100% locally grown materials, using only traditional methods
Make a besom with Wassledine from 100% locally grown materials, using only traditional methods
Make a besom with Wassledine from 100% locally grown materials, using only traditional methods

Things don’t get more traditional than a besom, however you pronounce it. A very fine sweeping tool, largely forgotten these days, a besom is particularly good at removing leaves from a lawn and keeping you in charge of gravel on a drive; it’s also great at getting into awkward corners. Aside from these practicalities, there are several traditions associated with a broom, possibly the most charming of which is its role in a pagan handfasting ceremony. A besom is also thought to protect a house from evil spirits. And then of course there’s Harry Potter…

The day will be run by Guy and Jane Lambourne of Wassledine.

After a relaxing day you will return home with a useful and beautiful broom made from our own grown hazel and willow, and birch cut from local nature reserves – no green wood involved in this case, and certainly nothing metal.

The course will take place in our beautiful working, hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner, near Gravenhurst; you’re bound to enjoy just being there all day. It’s a lovely setting for a tranquil day and you will be welcome to wander and discover its secrets.

Cost £70 per person

For more information and to book please click here – this will take you to our Eventbrite page.

Comments from previous course participants…

“Thank you for a wonderful day” “very friendly, informative, beautiful setting!” fabulous cakes” “tools I’ve never seen” “so much fun” ..of the treebog” “not even a whiff!” “the best wee in the woods”



Training day

Willow Swifts & Swallows Workshop

Saturday 10th August 10am – 4pm

If like us you always feel a little sad when the swifts and swallows leave at the end of the summer, this course is for you. Spend a mellow day in the woods weaving birds with willow artist Hazel Godfrey.  No experience in willow weaving is necessary, the course is suitable for all levels. You should be able to make two willow birds during the day. While you weave in the woods, there’ll be plenty of tea with homemade cake to enjoy. Your willow swifts or swallows will make a beautiful wall decoration to brighten your home through the autumn and winter while we wait for our migratory feathered friends to return in the spring.

Course venue

The course will take place outside in our own, beautiful Bottoms’ Corner Wood, a working hazel woodland that’s part of the Wassledine farm, Upper Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire.

The wood is midway between the villages of Gravenhurst and Campton, near Shefford.  It’s a location that’s hidden away, so please refer to the attached map.

Although it’s a beautiful setting, please be aware that the facilities are quite basic. There is off road parking along a surfaced but bumpy track. We have an outside, composting toilet with camping style hand wash.

Access

There’s a walk of about 300m over grass rides (including a slope), from the car park, through the woodland to the venue. We can provide a lift from the car park for you if you need it. If you would like to come by public transport, please let us know in advance; we will assist if we can.

What to bring

Secateurs (we can supply some)

Packed lunch (we’ll provide tea, coffee, drinks, biscuits, fruit and homemade cake.)

Suitable outdoor clothes, boots, waterproofs or sunhat (remember we will be outside all day)

Cost £70

Wet weather plan

There will be some shelter in the wood, so some rain is not a problem, but if the weather is extremely bad the course may have to be cancelled. Please provide us with the best number to contact you on in case we are very unlucky with the weather. If this happens a full refund will be provided. We will try our best to rearrange another date for the course. If you don’t hear from us assume the course is going ahead.

willow swifts and swallows with Hazel Godfrey and Wassledine

Course tutor

The course will be led by local basket maker and willow artist Hazel Godfrey BA(Hons) Applied Art. Hazel has a studio in Offley where she creates beautiful works from willow. Her work, from large sculptural projects to decorative and functional pieces for the home and garden, is inspired by a love of the natural world. Hazel regularly exhibits work in galleries and at art & craft shows and runs workshops at events and from her own studio.

To book, click here

Sign up for our mailing list

We'll occasionally send you information about things you might find interesting
* = required field
I'm particularly interested in...





powered by MailChimp!

Get In Touch

  Phone: 01462 711815

  Mobile: 07794 013876