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London Green Wood
London Green Wood is a non-profit community of woodworkers practising rural crafts in the city. Based at Abney Park Cemetery, a small woodland in Hackney, 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 at our woodland workshop 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, for groups and for families. We also run a twice weekly 'Wood Club' community workshop and monthly volunteering days to build equipment at the workshop.
Reviews(90)
Rebecca
21 Aug
Fantastic day with Jo, a fantastic teacher who talked us through the basics of green wood, knife safety, tool handling & after some practice, on to make a wooden cooking spoon out of a wedge of newly axed Sycamore greenwood. Left feeling very inspired, happy & ready for more. Just give it a go!!
Gemma
16 Oct
I had a great time learning to spoon carve yesterday! The gorgeous setting of Abney Park was the perfect backdrop to our class, and Jo's expert and friendly tuition kept us safe and enabled us to all come away with a usable spoon by the end of the day. It was all over too soon!
James
16 Jan
A really enjoyable day with gentle attentive tutors, tucked away in a quiet little park in London. It really is a lovely thing to take a log of fresh green wood and chop, carve and whitlle it away into something you can use every day. A very friendly supportive and safe atmosphere is cultivated and I think everyone left very happy with their day's work. I'd imagine sales of axes, woodcarving knives and various guide books are boosted every time the course is run. Recommended.
Dee
10 Apr
It was a lovely workshop, Thank you very much X
Reviews
Rebecca
21 Aug
Fantastic day with Jo, a fantastic teacher who talked us through the basics of green wood, knife safety, tool handling & after some practice, on to make a wooden cooking spoon out of a wedge of newly axed Sycamore greenwood. Left feeling very inspired, happy & ready for more. Just give it a go!!
Gemma
16 Oct
I had a great time learning to spoon carve yesterday! The gorgeous setting of Abney Park was the perfect backdrop to our class, and Jo's expert and friendly tuition kept us safe and enabled us to all come away with a usable spoon by the end of the day. It was all over too soon!
James
16 Jan
A really enjoyable day with gentle attentive tutors, tucked away in a quiet little park in London. It really is a lovely thing to take a log of fresh green wood and chop, carve and whitlle it away into something you can use every day. A very friendly supportive and safe atmosphere is cultivated and I think everyone left very happy with their day's work. I'd imagine sales of axes, woodcarving knives and various guide books are boosted every time the course is run. Recommended.
Dee
10 Apr
It was a lovely workshop, Thank you very much X
Vanessa
12 May
Amazing. I loved it.
Lottie
1 Sep
A really lovely day in a peaceful setting. Jo was patient and kind as well as being very instructive and helpful in ensuring we all got support and advice.
Jonathan
15 Jun
Great day, nice people, love the spoon.
Hardijs
13 Mar
Great place, great community, best tutors!! Thank you!!
Pei
1 Jun
Everyone is very lovely.
I like them to share them own woodwork experience and have lunch together :)
I will go back to learn more from them
Charlotte
29 Jan
I can't think of a better way to spend my Friday's :)
Thanks so much to Jo, and the lovely crew that use the outdoor workshop, for sharing their skills in such a relaxed manner, it's been really nourishing.
Daniel
2 Feb
This course was brilliant. It is based around learning basic carving skills, but you make lots of stuff as well as a part of that (spoons, butter knives, scoops, spatulas etc). Jo takes you to a level where you can confidently attempt projects of your own in a safe manner, and deals with axe work, hook knife, straight knife, draw knife, and a few other things (gouges, sharpening, aspects of design). I really feel like I've been taught the basic approaches and techniques of a craft in quite a short time, and can now go forward and practice them. Each Friday was the highlight of my week, and I look forward to returning to the workshop as often as I can in future. The atmosphere at the workshop itself is a really potent antidote to living in a big city, and it feels like you're dipping into a wonderful community of people who are keeping a set of skills alive and in use even in London. Highly recommended to those who wish to deepen their knowledge of green woodworking beyond just making a single item.
Constant
30 May
Steve
20 Nov
Really enjoyable day learning new skills working with an Adze and using an axe to carve a rustic bowl . Plenty of excellent tuition from Jo.
Madeleine
12 Jun
The course was excellent. Jo is a great teacher. She takes you through: how to use the tools safely and effectively, what tool to use - and when and how, and she makes it all great fun. Working outdoors with pots of tea on the go just makes it even better. Highly recommended.
Diana
9 Sep
We really enjoyed our spoon carving course with Jo. There were a total of 6 in the group which worked very well so we had sufficient guidance and attention.Jo was a calm, clear, cheerful teacher. The day was well planned and timed, for each part of the spoon process. Definitely recommend.
Laura
16 Oct
Abi
26 Sep
A great one day spoon carving course. The tutor was excellent, with lots of skills and techniques that she taught in a straightforward, easy to understand manner. After seven hours I had very sore hands but a wooden spoon that I was very proud of!
Emily
26 Sep
Spoon Carving workshop was great and had a lovely atmosphere. Would definitely recommend to friends and family.
Charlotte
25 Sep
I'd highly recommend this workshop - fun, fulfilling, relaxing and delivered wonderfully by the patient, talented Jo.
Belinda
16 Oct
I really enjoyed the Spoon Carving Workshop. It took place outside which in itself was a treat and the teaching was great. Jo was enthusiastic and very professional in the way she lead the class. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the day to a friend. Thank you.
Laura
16 Oct
Adam
21 Nov
Lovely warm and welcoming atmosphere. Super friendly. Very knowledgeable teachers. Great venue, nice to be outdoors, all the tools you could need. Nice shared lunch.
Marie
11 Feb
Really enjoyed my day, even with the cold and rain it was so worth it. Teacher Jo was great she gave you great encouragement and taught great skills. She had an assistant Dave who was very helpful and supportive as well. On booking I really did not think I would achieve a spoon by the end of the session, but I did and I am very proud of it.
Jessie
11 Feb
Fun and thorough class with knowledgable tutors. Held in a rustic outdoor space with plenty of tea and coffee provided. It's quit physical and was pretty chilly in February, but it was totally worth it. Very satisfying day out :)
trina
10 Mar
it was brilliant I learned loads and had fun
Frances
11 Mar
We had a great day and the teaching was good. We had Jo as our main instructor and Julian and Dave assisted. They were skilled and experienced themselves and communicated well and with appropriate authority. The tools were good quality and everything was prepared beforehand for the session.
The weather in early March was bearable outside, but I don't think sufficient warning that it was a day outside was given before booking. I think a venue with indoor space, even in a workshop or shed, is needed for winter courses. Thank goodness the weather had improved over the previous week!
The afternoon went rather too quickly and we all enjoyed ourselves. Thank you.
Stephanie
9 Apr
It was great fun! Good vibes, good strong milky tea, good teaching, and good company.
Would highly recommend it and for sure do it again!
Steve
12 May
This was a first class course which I would recommend to anyone.
soomaiya
13 May
I had one of the best days ever at the spoon carving workshop. It was a really lovely day so it was nice to work outside. I was quite intimidated by the idea of woodwork but Jo made us really comfortable and had a lot of patience with me when I couldn't get the hang of the techniques. There was tea flowing all day which was great. I would love to come back and make another spoon to improve on what I've learned.
sean
13 May
A very enjoyable and fun day with a great teacher highly recommended! Sean
Matilda
17 Jun
Jo was such a fantastic teacher, clear, friendly, expert and patient. Using local wood was lovely and the setting is beautiful. Couldn't ask for more.
Oliver
1 Sep
Really fun day of woodwork. Jo is great at making sure the course is informative but also fun. Came away with a great spoon and inspiration to do more!
Bee
3 Sep
Such an excellent workshop, I can't recommend it enough. You'll come away with a beautiful cooking spoon to feel proud of – and you'll be amazed at how quickly you transform a wedge of wood into a work of art. Jo is a really lovely and helpful instructor, very encouraging and helps you get the best from the course. Really recommend it.
Serife
4 Sep
So happy to have achieved so much, Jo is an excellent and patient teacher. Class was relaxed but learnt lots about techniques. Can't wait to try out my new skills at home
Georgie
26 Sep
Fantastic class! The tuition was brilliant and the setting was beautiful.
Robert
26 Mar
I cannot recommend the spoon carving workshop with London Green Wood CIC highly enough! The one-day workshop was perfectly paced and allowed for learning and variation with the various tools and techniques. Jo was a brilliant teacher and leader of the workshop, offering friendly guidance, advice and helpful tips along the way. The location itself is really well set up for the group session and, as it is a working community workshop we were able to meet some local experts, and see some of their wonderful creations. I am very keen to sign up for their bowl carving workshop and have been inspired to get my own tools to continue spoon carving at home!
Jennifer
27 Mar
I learnt to use special tools to turn a segment of a log into a fully useable kitchen spoon - with a corner to clean out the bottom of a pan!
A perfect introduction to greenwood carving with left and right-handed tools to suit. Jo ensured we had a tool-talk for each new knife we used, and learnt safe and effective techniques to keep us safe whist carving our masterpieces.
Juliet
7 Apr
A really lovely day spent with a small group of nice people, all carving wood. The campfire kept us warm, Jo kept us safe and we all came away with new skills and beautiful wooden spoons. Highly recommended.
David
8 Apr
Really fun day with lots of insights into the best techniques of how to whittle the perfect spoon. Thank you!
Steven
15 Jun
A fantastic class. An excellent introduction to spoon carving in a lovely setting.
Katerina
17 Jun
A nice well spent!!
Jo was great, a warm and welcoming person, showing us all this new stuff. Explaining wood, techniques, tools, making sure of our safety and dealing with each and every one to explain or advise on what we were doing.
Lovely little team of people too.
Highly recommended workshop!
Alice
2 Jul
Really enjoyed this course - the teacher was very friendly and patient and I came away with a decent looking spoon and looking forward to doing more
V
Even with the temperamental weather trying to scupper things. The London Greenwood spoon carving course exceeded my expectations. It was an informative and relaxed day, guided brilliantly by the teacher Jo, and I came away with a renewed sense of confidence at trying to improve my greenwood working and spoon carving. Thank you. I'm already looking forward to my next course there.
Kristina
7 Jul
Wonderful atmosphere and great teachers!
Deborah
12 Jul
We had a lovely day - learning a lot about our tools, varieties of wood and how to finish our spoons. It was harder than I thought it would be but Jo and Dave were very patient and helpful and we were all proud of our finished spoons.
Wendy
22 Jul
Had a brilliant day spoon carving with an excellent teacher. I feel so much more confident about using the tools and learnt all the techniques needed to work effectively and safely. Lots of fun in a great setting. I highly recommend it.
Linden
6 Aug
Great experience! Well taught in small group in a lovely setting . Really absorbing
Sarah
1 Oct
8 of us had a brilliant day in the peacefulness of Abney Park with two lovely tutors. They were clear, attentive, guided us well and differentiated to our different abilities and experience. Health and safety was great, none of us had any cuts. There were good tips on how to stand and sit while working, and we learnt a number of different carving techniques. They provided regular breaks with plenty of good coffee, tea and biscuits. It was a pleasure to work in company and at the end of the day we each came away with a hand carved wooden spoon! A day very well spent.
Paula
20 Oct
I had a great day, despite endless rain and a grey, miserable sky. Both teachers ( it was a big group) were kind, supportive and non-judgemental. I went to try out something new, learn new skills and have fun, which is exactly what I did. And I came home with a spoon/spatula of sorts - a lovely way to spend a Saturday.
Ruth
27 Oct
Great experience, definitely plan to go back. Lovely activity & lovely location.
Gemma
27 Oct
We all really enjoyed it
Gemma
19 Feb
We loved it.
Bridget
4 Apr
Fantastic. Lovely surroundings, and nice to do something calming and learn a new skill!
Chrystalla
4 Apr
An inspiring afternoon workshop from which we not only took away our wooden creations but sound knowledge of types of wood and safe whittling tips. Getting to work on the 'shaving horse' with a two handled knife was an added bonus. Great to be outdoors working with our hands - we loved it! Thank you.
Kim
12 Apr
It was fantastic! Jo showed us, in stages, what we needed to do and let us get on with it. My son, Harry, loved it because he was able to be really hands on with the tools and you also get to take your piece home with you at the end. I especially loved it and we are now looking forward to our next workshop together with Jo. Highly recommend London Green Wood CIC and Jo for her lovely calm and informative approach.
Grainne
16 Apr
Both 9 year old Dermot and his grandad loved the session and plan to book another one very soon!
5 stars!
Emily
11 Jun
This was a great workshop, we both really enjoyed it. It was really good to go to a workshop for a parent and child to learn a new skill together. I was hoping for a hand carving course though so we could continue at home after the course, so a little more information about the content before would have been very useful. We will probably try and book another one in the summer though, the venue was good as was the instruction.
Anna
12 Apr
My 7 year old had a fantastic time in family whittling!
Gurnam
17 Sep
The only downside was the cold, it was 2 degrees and felt a bit too cold to spend that much time outside. But we did have a fire to help.
Abi
5 Dec
Another great class from Jo. Was very useful for improving knife skills and getting more familiar with cutting with the grain. Small group which means you get lots of support from the teacher. Great setting in lovely Abney Park Cemetry, with a little fire and hot drinks to keep warm in winter.
Ginette
7 Mar
This was an amazing day. I did the workshop a week after my Mum died and found a lot of peace in the connection with nature. The tutor was lovely - engaging, patient and talented. I highly recommend it!
Rosie
23 Jul
Absolutely brilliant! I hope to come back for more.
Caireen
15 Jan
Fantastic day with a great tutor, I went away so much more confident to use a knife safely and understanding how to work the wood. I'd recommend these classes to anyone, even if it's a one off activity or to learn new skill. Jo was an excellent teacher and host. I'll definitely be back again.
Alli
16 Apr
Jo is a fabulous teacher. We all worked at our own pace and Jo explained everything clearly. I went with my partner and two grown up sons. We all enjoyed it and I am really pleased with my spatula- thank you for a lovely day
Natalie
11 Sep
A really brilliant class. I learned lots and came having made something I was proud of. I’m going to try to come back for another class soon!
Clare
6 Apr
Great atmosphere!
HELEN
5 Nov
Day one of a one-day-a-week course done and it was great. Small group, great teacher - I have already acquired a huge amount of knowledge!
Thom
21 Nov
Fantastic, inspiring, workshop with great teaching and friendly students. Learned lots of practical skills and I love having breakfast every morning with my hand carved spoon!
Spencer
7 Dec
Really great course .
Jo is a very good teacher - relaxed, but full of instruction.
We all got to learn different techniques, and how to use tools and devices which are specific to green woodwork (and not available in any diy store).
I would definitely recommend this course.
Ed
9 Mar
Really fun classes, I hadn't ever picked up a spoon knife before and this got me slightly addicted!
Jenny
25 May
Absolutely loved the introduction to Green Woodwork workshop. Really practical and hands-on. Very friendly people and Jo is a great teacher
Vivienne
26 May
I found this course very well resourced and organised with a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere. The location is second to none for a course of this type in London -it was wonderful to be working under the trees and the weather was kind
Jo is a patient and knowledgable teacher providing clear instructions of safe working techniques and there is plenty of opportunity to practice sharpening and the opportunity to work individually and together . Added bonus is that past students also attend on Thursdays to work on their own projects so plenty of opportunity to pick up tips from more experienced students. I hope to be able to join in Thursday community access sessions from time to time.
Penny
1 Aug
A brilliant course for people with little or no knowledge of woodworking. By the fourth and final session, we had acquired enough basic skills to cut down a piece of hazel and for each of us to turn a section of it into our own wooden spoon - immensely satisfying!
Paul
30 Sep
The introductory course is brilliant. Though it’s very relaxed you’ll earn how to make a range of different thing and you’ll come away with plenty of finished pieces. As well as a great teacher in Jo, you also get the support of a super helpful community of makers that use the space. I’ll be going back for sure - I’m currently shopping for tools.
Sam
1 Oct
Great course in a brilliant spot. Very welcoming and really informative
Ally
30 Nov
Great course. Attentive tuition, friendly people, lovely setting for the workshop. I'll be going back for sure!
Madeleine
14 Jun
A truly excellent course. Having attended several one-day Green Woodwork courses I was keen to do the four-day Introduction. Jo is a wonderful teacher: patient, skilled and encouraging. She tailors the course to individuals and paces things really well. The course introduces you to axing, carving and whittling using straight and curved knives, sharpening tools, and getting into good habits by using tools safely. The atmosphere is always good with a variety of lovely people taking part and other skilled makers working alongside and giving helpful tips, all in the natural outdoor space. Completing the course allows you to become a member of the cooperative and use the facilities thereafter at designated times. Highly recommended. Thanks, Jo!
alison
30 Sep
Thoroughly enjoyable and invigorating; the classes were the highlight of my week. The tutors (Dave and Jo) were knowledgeable and welcoming and I was amazed how quickly we progressed. They taught us how to use different tools and techniques confidently, always with safety foremost. Every day I took home items I had made and could use. Highly recommended for those who want to be outdoors, learn craft skills, be amongst similar co-operatively minded folk and are happy to take advice from all manner of friendly spoon makers who drop in to use the tools and equipment.
Kelly
1 Oct
I would fully recommend this workshop, for Jo’s very gentle, knowledgable direction, the well organised stages of getting you going and keeping your attention on task (a challenge with three children) and the huge satisfaction of making something truly beautiful. All six of us who attended felt it was a a wonderful way to spend a day.
Jacques
7 Sep
Great experience - highly recommended
Martyn
1 May
The bowl carving workshop takes place outside in the peaceful surrounds of the cemetery at Stoke Newington. Jo the workshop leader has infinite patience and a great deal of knowledge that she is happy to share. A cup of tea, a chat and a chocolate biscuit whilst taking a break made for a great day.
Antoine
18 Nov
Wonderful workshop! Skilled teacher giving thorough explications and tips, high quality tools and a step by step approach to reach our goal and carve beautiful bowl!
I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to know how to carve and also how to safely use the different tools. An enjoyable experience!
Abi
18 Nov
Another brilliant workshop from London Green Wood. Excellent and patient tuition from Jo, a great atmosphere and very lovely biscuits. Would recommend!
Anonymous
21 Nov
First rate teaching from a first rate teacher. Great day of learning and activity in a superb setting inside Abney Park cemetary in Hackney. Will go back for more.
Jo
22 Nov
Jo, the tutor, is amazing - so knowledgeable and patient. The class was just fantastic from start to finish! It was so beautiful to be outside all day and the fire and ever replenishing cups of tea kept us warm when we weren't working hard.
I would recommend this to anyone - I had the best day. I couldn't stop smiling and looking at my bowl all evening!
Valerie
22 Apr
I very much enjoyed the Bowl Carving workshop yesterday. It was wonderful to be working outdoors, in the beautiful surroundings of Abney Park. There were five of us doing the workshop with instructor Jo and volunteer helper Paul and all the work was carried out in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The bowl carving workshop gave us an excellent introduction to the use of different tools for working with green wood. Jo was an excellent instructor: she kept an eye on us all and gave instruction without being intrusive, with little bits of help here and there where necessary to ensure we would have a completed item by the end of the day. I will be coming back to London Green Wood for more!
sylvie
8 Jun
So wonderful to work with natural materials and feel the accomplishment of the making something on the day.
We would have loved a much more informative workshop however. More information about different woods, tools and their purpose, how to achieve different results and what to expect while using the tools we have. We know one can ask but it is not the same as experiencing a workshop that is more structured in terms of knowledge. Plus we are introverts and rely on the teacher to lead the class rather than students to know which questions will bring more appropriate results.
We have got a bowl but neither of us knows whether we would know which wood to use next, we don't know how to take care of the wood afterwards and what to do in case of trouble shooting. We have only been assured that nothing bad will happen.
We don't know where to get tools from and how to acquire them and we don't know what we could use this experience for next. Another bowl would be great, but it would be nice to know there is a follow up or continuation if we enjoyed the workshop and would wish to learn more.
It was lovely to have a very laid back approach but we didn't think that would compromise the overall amount of education.
Jo and Dave are really nice people. They both seemed really tired towards the end of the day, so we hope they are all well and happy. We wish them the very best of luck in the future with their workshops. xxx
Mark
24 Jun
Great day spent carving a bowl. Hard work paid off thanks to excellent teachers.
Jennifer
27 Mar
Hard to believe I was able to turn a log into a bowl in a few hours with no previous experience. Jo guided the group expertly, adapting the demonstrated techniques according to dexterity, physical capability so everyone had a bowl to be proud of at the end. I'd recommend this course. It was a very therapeutic day outside, regardless of the rain.
Davina
22 Sep
We had a great day carving fruit bowls. Our efforts may not be works of art, but we feel very proud of what we achieved. Dave was very patient with us and there was a lovely atmosphere. We came away with a much greater appreciation of the skills and strength required in woodworking.
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