You don’t need to travel to far flung parts of the country to take part in the renaissance in traditional crafts, to be featured on BBC TV over the next six weeks. Here in the heart of The National Forest there are plenty of opportunities to learn the techniques, skills and often forgotten histories of woodland crafts.

Mastercrafts, a six week series filmed in Dorset, starts on 12 February on BBC2, and follows three hopefuls in their search for the perfect traditional craft for them.

Here in The National Forest you can train under master woodsman Peter Wood in his woodland workshop Greenwood Days. Under his expert guidance, novices and keen amateurs can learn pole lathe turning, Windsor chair making, how to make your own long bow and learn to fire it, steam and tar a coracle, weave a willow basket or bend a hazel hurdle on courses lasting from one to eight days.

If Ray Mears’ bushcraft survival skills are more to your taste, there are three survival schools based in The National Forest. Forage for wild food, collect rain water from leaves, twist twine out of tree roots or filter water through socks lined with moss and wood ash. Build a snug shelter in the woods and watch the stars come out.

Or you can volunteer with BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and learn dry stone walling, hedgelaying, coppicing and other countryside skills. It’s a great way to meet people, have fun and get fit at the same time.

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