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.
Special event
Storytelling in the woods
Saturday 17th August 2 – 4.30pm
A walk full of stories to a secret glade for a woodland tea party.
Storytelling in the woods
Bottoms’ Corner is unlocking its gate to welcome you to this special event. The event provides the opportunity to walk off the beaten track and enjoy a beautiful woodland setting not usually open to the public. This is a guided walk with a difference. As the walk makes its way deeper into the woods you will be entertained with tales of enchantment, fairy folk and treasure trees. Delicious homemade cakes will be waiting for you in the secret glade.
The event is aimed at adults and children over 5 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking and payment in advance are essential.
Cost per person £7.50 (child or adult). This includes hot or cold drinks and homemade cake or cookies.
Sorry you missed these courses but let us know if you’d like to get involved in a future day – they will be repeated
Training day
Make a pole lathe
The archetypal green woodworking device, a pole lathe will enable you to turn fresh wood quietly and without power (other than that in your leg muscles). This is a day for anyone wishing to own their own pole lathe and we intend to make this a flat pack construction, so by lunchtime you will have something to have a go with.
Further details to follow. If you are interested, please let us know now.
Training day
Make a willow obelisk plant support
Guy demonstrates a paired weave rising up a willow obelisk
May 2020
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.
Adding finishing touches to an obelisk made using contorted willow
The course will take place in our beautiful working, hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner; you’ll enjoy just being there all day.
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.
Cost – £65 (includes course fee, all materials, tea, coffee, fruit and cake)
Feedback from past participants…
“All fantastic” “Not at all what I thought it would be” “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 hurdle
Making a willow hurdle in Bottoms’ Corner wood
April 2020
Willow hurdles are beautiful and have many uses around the garden. Learn the basics of making a willow screen and take a fairly small one home with you. Like many weaving projects, it’s easy to grasp but tricky to do well.
This day will be taught by Guy Lambourne of Wassledine. Guy started making willow hurdles well over 10 years ago and sells lots every year.
The day will take place in our beautiful working hazel woodland, Bottoms’ Corner; you’ll enjoy just being there all day. It will require a large amount of bending and kneeling as well as some upper body and finger strength. There’s a walk of about 300m 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. 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!
Cost – £80 (includes course fee, all materials, tea, coffee, fruit and cake)
Training day
Make a willow ball
May 2020
Join us at Wassledine to make a beautiful ball from nothing but willow
We’ve been making willow balls for several years 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.
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. You’ll need a fair amount of persistence though and a bit of strength in your hands!
Ball makers – pleased with themselves!
The day will be led by Guy Lambourne of Wassledine, who has been making willow balls for over 10 years and has run several successful ball-making days.
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 and a pair of loppers if you have some.
Cost – £70 (includes course fee, all materials, tea, coffee, fruit and cake)
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, with Ed Burnett
May 2020