Fire sits at the centre of human history, skill, and comfort. The Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend offers an immersive and considered exploration of firecraft, allowing participants to develop genuine competence across a wide range of traditional fire-lighting methods within a supportive woodland setting.
This weekend is not about speed or endurance, but about understanding, preparation, and control. Participants are guided carefully through the principles that underpin successful fire lighting, learning how materials, technique, and environmental conditions interact. The course is suitable for both newcomers and those wishing to refine existing skills, with instruction paced to encourage confidence and success.
This course runs in Derbyshire and Oxfordshire
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Fire sits at the centre of human history, skill, and comfort. The Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend offers an immersive and considered exploration of firecraft, allowing participants to develop genuine competence across a wide range of traditional fire-lighting methods within a supportive woodland setting.
This weekend is not about speed or endurance, but about understanding, preparation, and control. Participants are guided carefully through the principles that underpin successful fire lighting, learning how materials, technique, and environmental conditions interact. The course is suitable for both newcomers and those wishing to refine existing skills, with instruction paced to encourage confidence and success.
Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend
Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend
Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend
Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend
Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend
Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend
Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend
Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend
Friday – Foundations of Fire
The weekend begins with arrival at camp and time to establish sleeping systems before attention turns to the raw materials of fire. Participants are introduced to a variety of natural tinders and kindling, learning how to recognise, harvest, and prepare materials responsibly within the UK woodland.
Back at camp, instruction covers fire safety, positioning, and construction, with participants learning to build and manage fires effectively. A range of fire lays is explored, demonstrating how structure influences heat, efficiency, and purpose.
As fires burn steadily, participants produce charcloth and other charred tinders, reinforcing the importance of preparation and forward planning in reliable fire lighting.
The evening concludes with a thoughtful discussion around the role of fire in human development, exploring how its control influenced diet, social structure, tool use, and our relationship with the natural world. Fire is framed not simply as a survival skill, but as a defining human technology.
Saturday – Sparks, Embers, and Friction
Saturday focuses on developing skill with spark-based fire-lighting methods, including flint and steel and the traditional use of flint and iron pyrites. Participants learn how to manage embers, construct effective tinder bundles, and bring flame to life through careful technique rather than force.
The afternoon is dedicated to friction fire, with detailed instruction in fire bow technique. Participants are guided through posture, pressure, rhythm, and coordination, learning how to recognise and correct common faults. Where conditions allow, suitable materials are sourced from the woodland and participants are shown how to create their own complete fire bow sets.
Throughout the day, emphasis is placed on understanding the process rather than simply achieving ignition, allowing skills to transfer confidently beyond the course.
Sunday – Refinement and Responsibility
On Sunday morning, participants are introduced to the hand drill, a demanding friction fire method that rewards finesse and sensitivity. Instruction explores the differences between hand drill and fire bow components, ember formation, and technique, offering valuable insight even for those who may not master the method immediately.
The remainder of the morning provides time to revisit and refine earlier techniques, allowing participants to consolidate learning and gain confidence across the full range of methods covered.
The weekend concludes with careful instruction in fire management, extinguishing, and site restoration, ensuring fires are left completely safe and the woodland shows no trace of use.
In Summary
The Fire Lighting Bushcraft Weekend offers a comprehensive and grounded introduction to traditional firecraft. Participants leave with practical experience across multiple fire-lighting methods, a deeper understanding of materials and technique, and the confidence to light, manage, and extinguish fire responsibly.
More than individual techniques, the course develops judgement, awareness, and respect—qualities essential to using fire well in any woodland setting.
