Suitable for: beginners, improvers, professionals

Considerations: Partially outdoors based, physically demanding, long periods standing up and sitting.

What to bring: Outdoor / wet weather gear, sturdy shoes, clothes that can get messy

Refreshments: Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day. We also have a fantastic on-site cafe, Embers, run by local chef Shropshire Lad.

The course:

Spend a weekend designing and building a rustic gate to meet your specific requirements.

The ideal project to start or progress your green woodworking journey, you'll be schooled in using traditional hand tools and techniques, and leave with a solid foundation of skills. 

Sweet chestnut is a naturally durable wood that does not require treatment, and will silver up over time. 

You will learn:

- How to source appropriate wood 

- How to design your gate

- Cleaving and shaping techniques

- Joints and frame building

- Finishing techniques

Your tutor:

Alistair Hayhurst established Underwood Crafts in 2025, and has been teaching for the past 15 years.

"I tried lots of different courses when I first started out, from oak swill basket making to charcoal making, hurdles to chair bodging. I met some great makers in some wonderful woods, which made me realise it’s all possible and not all about the income at the end of the day.

I love the fact that what I teach is traditional, sustainable, sometimes local, beautiful and has great practical use on top of all that.

I've seen what works and what doesn’t and still got all my fingers!!"