Learn to whittle with locally grown wood.

Learn safe whittling skills at Hackney City Farm. This workshop is for children aged 6-8years to gain some skills and confidence working with whittling knives.

Please note - Each ticket admits 1 Adult and 1 Child together Each child must be accompanied by an adult who is willing to supervise and work with them at all times

Using locally grown green wood we'll practice safe carving knife grips and make wands or wooden knifes.

For families that want to start whittling at home, this is great introduction for both adults and children…

Things to remember

DIRECTIONS Our workshop is at Hackney City Farm, Goldsmith Row, London E2 8QA. Access to the workshop is through the cafe garden or Haggerston Park (not the Farmyard). Please arrive 10 minutes early so you have time to find the workshop, go to the toilet, have a drink and be…

Do you offer concessionary rates on courses?

On our Family courses we run a 'Pay it Forward' model where customers can make an additional donation to fund a space for a family on low income. If you need a low income space on this course please contact us and we will let you know when there is a funded space available.

Can I change my booking?

You can cancel or reschedule your booking for any reason up to 7 days in advance of the course. However, the more notice you can give us the better so that we can offer your space to someone else. Last minute reschedules are only available in exceptional circumstances e.g. sudden illness or injury. You must inform us as soon as you become unwell and you before the start of the course. If you would like to change your booking at late notice (within 7 days of the course) and you do not have an exceptional circumstance, we will offer your place to the waiting list and reschedule or refund your place only if someone else takes it up.

I am booked on a course, is it going ahead?

Yes, you will receive a reminder 3 days before your course. If you haven’t received this please check your spam. We will only cancel a course in the event of extreme weather conditions or if the tutor is unwell and we cannot find a replacement.

It’s raining, is the course going ahead?

I’m afraid so, please come prepared. We have tarps to put up, so even if it’s torrential we’ll try to keep you dryish. We work outdoors in all weathers and will only cancel courses in the event of extreme weather conditions which would make the courses unsafe (ie. a red warning from the Met Office with risk to life). Please come prepared for the weather. In the winter we recommend thick-soled boots, layers and fingerless gloves. We do not allow anyone to work with tools in full fingered gloves unless they have a medical reason for doing so. In the summer we require covered feet, no sandals or bare feet please, and recommend a hat and suncream.

Can I bring a younger child?

Unfortunately not. The lower age limit for this course is strict and younger children are not allowed to attend. This is for safety and also because they are likely to be frustrated by the course and put off whittling in the future, better to wait until they are old enough.

Can I bring more than one child?

We recommend all families attend with a 1-to-1 adult to child ratio the first time they come. After that if you think you would like to supervise more than one child, please speak to the tutor about it at the end of the session.

My children are different ages which session should we book?

Please book both children on the session that is appropriate for the younger child. We promise we will make sure there is enough of a challenge for the older child too.

Can I drop my child off?

No, each child must be accompanied by an adult who will stay and participate fully.

Do you have any more dates planned?

We aim to teach this course once a month, we sometimes add extra dates for the school holidays. You can join a waiting list to be notified of new dates, https://london-green-wood.widget.obby.co.uk/event/family-whittling-workshop-juniors-north-london/dates Each specific date also has it's on waiting list, which will be notified if there are any cancellations.

Is this course suitbale for children and young people with SEN?

Yes. If you are confident managing your child's behaviour around knives during this session, then we are happy to work with you whatever additional needs they have. If your child has needs that are likely to affect how they experience the session, please contact us in advance so that we can let the tutor know.

Is this course suitable for people with disabilities?

The course is held outside, and there is a disabled toilet at Hackney City Farm. However there is rough terrain on the way in and within the workshop. We will do everything we can to make all our courses accessible to everyone regardless of disability. If you are thinking about a course and are unsure if this would suit you, please contact us to discuss. Often in these instances we find the best thing is to arrange a visit, so you can see the workshop and decide for yourself.

Siobhan - 15 August 2024

Me and my 7 year old really enjoyed this family workshop, set in a lovely quiet woodland inside Hackney city farm. Our teachers were very friendly and knowledgeable and we came away with a really good understanding of how to whittle safely! Looking forward to developing our skills in the future!

Maurice Ballard - 3 November 2022

My 7 year- old son and I had a great time at London Green wood. It was our first experience of whittling, and I couldn't believe how quickly time flew by. We really lost ourselves in what we were trying to do. It's not as easy as it looks, more practice is needed I think.

Eileen Quick - 14 June 2022

Lovely teachers My grandson loved the session Thanks so much

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Obby Guarantee

We ensure quality. If your class doesn't reach your expectations, we'll give your money back.

Age Requirement

All students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Flexible cancellation policy

Any class can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.

Craft Craft Workshop Green Woodwork Crafts Woodworking

London Green Wood

London Green Wood is cooperative of woodworkers practising rural crafts in the city. Based at Hackney City Farm, we work with green wood straight from the log and hand tools. All the wood we use has been felled locally.

We have been running events and teaching courses since 2011. We promise a beautiful setting, friendly people, the satisfaction of learning new skills and a fire when it gets chilly. We run courses for adults and for families. We offer low income and unwaged concessions on many of our courses.

People who have completed our Induction to the Workshop course can…

Hackney City Farm

Hackney

1a Goldsmith Row

E2 8QA

London