26 Nov 2025
As the New Year begins, the National Forest invites visitors to discover a holiday that combines the beauty of one of England's most remarkable landscapes with the chance to learn a new skill. Stretching across 200 square miles of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire, the National Forest has transformed post-industrial land once scarred by coal and clay extraction into a thriving mosaic of woodlands, open spaces, wildlife habitats and walking trails.
The Forest is a living landscape shaped by conservation, community and creativity. Visitors can explore miles of walking and cycling trails, spot deer, birds and other wildlife, or simply enjoy a peaceful stroll surrounded by trees. It is easily accessible from major Midlands cities including Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, making it an ideal short break for families, couples or solo travellers.
Next year, Greenwood Days celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of teaching traditional craft skills in a woodland setting. Founded in 1994 by Peter Wood, a master chair-maker and greenwood craftsman, the centre began with a focus on traditional Windsor chairmaking and pole-lathe turning and has grown into a nationally recognised craft school. Today, Greenwood Days offers more than 50 stand-alone courses each year, run by more than 15 tutors, covering chair-making, wood-turning, carving, spoon and knife making, willow weaving and other traditional crafts.
Courses range from one- or two-day taster sessions to week-long immersive retreats, making them suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced craft enthusiasts. Participants work in purpose-built woodland workshops on a 90-acre site, fully equipped yet still surrounded by the forest. The centre emphasises sustainable, low-impact working practices and uses locally sourced timber wherever possible, reflecting Peter Wood's founding vision of combining craft, heritage and the environment.
Peter Wood said: “Being able to teach traditional craft skills here in the National Forest is incredibly special. The woodland setting inspires our students, and the support from the National Forest allows us to combine creativity, learning and conservation. It's wonderful to celebrate 30 years of Greenwood Days with a partnership that brings craft and nature together.”
Beyond the craft, Greenwood Days offers a distinctive woodland experience. Covered work areas, communal tables for lunch, an open fire with a kettle, and composting toilets create a welcoming and rustic atmosphere, while the surrounding forest provides inspiration and a sense of calm. Many students return year after year, drawn by the combination of high-quality tuition, hands-on learning, and the immersive woodland setting.
“This is the perfect time to start the year with a new challenge or skill,” said Richard Drakeley, tourism development manager at the National Forest. “The Forest offers more than just beautiful scenery. It is a space to explore, to connect with nature, and to discover creativity you might never have tried before. Greenwood Days perfectly embodies this ethos, allowing people to engage with the forest through traditional craft, making something real while enjoying a woodland experience. Their 30th anniversary next year is a celebration of skill, heritage and the special relationship between people and the Forest.”
The combination of courses, walking trails, wildlife and local amenities makes the National Forest a special place to visit over the year ahead. Visitors can plan a short day trip, a weekend retreat or a longer holiday, knowing that there is a wealth of experiences available for all ages and interests.
For more information about Greenwood Days' 30th anniversary courses and activities across the National Forest, visit greenwooddays.co.uk and nationalforest.org
Dates
Green woodworking experience 11 April £100 per person 8 spaces
Green woodworking experience 12 April £100 per person 8 spaces
Gate Making 11-12 April £230 per person 8 spaces
Forging - Small items 14th April £140 per person 6 spaces
Forging - Small items 15th April £140 per person 6 spaces
Forging hook tools 16th April £140 per person 6 spaces
Bowl turning on a pole lathe 14th April £120 per person 6 spaces
Bowl turning on a pole lathe 15th April £120 per person 6 spaces
Kuksa carving 2-days 18-19th April £230 per person 6 spaces
Sharpening day 19th April £120 per person 8 spaces
Coffee Table 2-4th May £360 per person 8 spaces
Spoon Carving 2nd May £120 per person 6 spaces
Fan bird carving 3rd May £120 per person 6 spaces
Windsor Chair-making 7-days 23-29th May £800 per person 6 spaces
Willow plant climbers 28th May £120 per person 8 spaces
Willow plant climbers 29th May £120 per person 8 spaces
Stool making 30-31st May £230 per person 8 spaces
Dulcimer/cigar box guitar 20-21st June £260 per person 6 spaces
Sharpening day 20th June £120 per person 8 spaces
Sharpening day 21st June £120 per person 8 spaces
Windsor Chair-making 7-days 22nd -28th June £800 per person 6 spaces
Berry basket 22nd June £120 per person 8 spaces
Berry basket 23rd June £120 per person 8 spaces
Coffin weaving course 6-10th July £750 per person 6 spaces
Bench Making 7-12th July £800 per person 6 spaces
Ose basket 11-12th July £230 per person 8 spaces
Stool making 8-9th August £230 per person 8 spaces
Windsor Chair-making 10-16th August £800 per person 6 spaces
Plate turning on a pole lathe 10-11th August £230 per person 5 spaces
Cawl spoon carving 12th August £120 per person 6 spaces
Log basket 15-16th August £230 per person 8 spaces
Turning end grain cups on a pole lathe 9-10th September £230 5 spaces
Square basketry 9-10th September £230 8 spaces
Scything 11th September £120 per person 6 spaces
Spoon Carving weekend 12-13th September £230 per person 6 spaces
Rush hat weaving 3-4th October £230 per person 6 spaces
Stool making 3-4th October £230 per person 8 spaces
Windsor Chair-making 5-11th October £800 per person 6 spaces
Bowl turning on a pole lathe 5th October£120 per person 6 spaces
Bowl turning on a pole lathe 6th October £120 per person 6 spaces
Forging - small items 7th October £140 per person 6 spaces
Knife making 8-9th October £280 6 spaces
Kuksa carving 10-11th October £230 per person 6 spaces
Brush making 16th October £120 per person 7 spaces
Split Hazel basketry 17-18th October £230 7 spaces
Willow Hurdle making 17th October £120 per person 8 spaces
Hazel Hurdle making 18th October £120 per person 8 spaces
Notes to Editor:
The National Forest covers 200 square miles of the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Its creation began in the early 1990s, a radical vision to bring the benefits of trees, woodland and multi-use forestry to lowland England, where thousands of people live and work.
The Forest provides a national demonstration of the value of the natural environment to drive regeneration and showcase policy and practice, research and development in the heart of the country.
It was the first broadleaf forest to be created at scale in England for more than 900 years and is now seen as one of the boldest environmentally led regeneration initiatives in the country. It has transformed a post-industrial Midlands landscape, scarred by coal mining and heavy industry, from black to green.
Year by year, the National Forest has been steadily turning what was once one of the least wooded areas of England into a multi-purpose, sustainable forest. More than 9.85 million trees have been planted so far. Forest cover has increased from six percent to 25 percent, approaching double the national average for woodland cover. The aim is to reach around a third forest cover.
Trees have been the catalyst for change and transformation. The National Forest is a positive response to the climate crisis and is putting in place the building blocks to deliver mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Through partnerships the National Forest is working to create wildlife habitats, reduce flooding, improve air quality, store carbon and create space for outdoor education, supporting the health and wellbeing of communities and enabling Forest-related businesses to thrive.
The National Forest Company (charity no: 1166563) leads the creation of the National Forest, working in partnership with landowners, local authorities, businesses and its communities. It has strong support from government, politicians and the public, and continues to be supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Contact: Carolyn Bointon
Telephone: 07855 976367
Email: cbointon@nationalforest.org
