Ham Hill for centuries has been a hunting ground, haven and home. Starting with the hunter-gatherer's who used the hill as an area to set up camp away from the surrounding wetlands, to the Iron Age tribe that fortified the hill to safeguard its natural resources and strategic importance.
Today many of us have forgotten how we can live without many of our modern trappings, and the skills we developed over many centuries have all but been lost. Bushcraft brought our ancestors closer to nature and the passing of the seasons. The need for shelter, fire, and water meant the difference between life and death. Today we take all of these for granted. Let us rekindle the spark within you in the beautiful and inspirational setting of Ham Hill Country Park, which is usually off limits from camping due to its unique status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Our courses are held within the boundaries of the Iron Age hillfort, within an area of mixed deciduous woodland and calcareous grassland, which is home to a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Members of the South Somerset Countryside Ranger Team design and lead all bushcraft courses. The rangers not only have an interest in the ecology, geology and archaeology of the area, but they work outdoors in this very environment every day and have a good understanding and knowledge of the hillfort. Below gives a basic outline of each of the courses on offer - please see Detailed itineraries for all courses for more information.
Bushcraft day: (Adults only) Dates: Saturday 10th July 2010, 9am - 5.30pm (at Ham Hill). There is a possibility this could be run as a two-day overnight course if there is enough interest. Please express your interest in doing an overnight course when booking, and if we get 6 or more people it will go ahead (we will still run it as a one day course as well for those who do not wish to stay overnight and take part on Sunday as well). Price: £35.00, Duration 1 day (max no. 20), if you would like to do an overnight course, the cost will be £70.00.
Join us for a full day of bushcraft, which will give you a good insight into a variety of survival skills including natural shelters, fire lighting, natures larder, navigation, natural cordage and campcraft. All food is included. If we are able to do a two day course on the Sunday we will go into more depth about wild food, make natural whistles, look at animal tracks and signs, and of course test out the natural shelters we make on Saturday.
Family bushcraft days: (For adults and their children over 8) Dates: Sunday 25th April 2010 (at Ham Hill) and Sunday 24th October 2010 (at Yeovil Country Park), 9am - 5.00pm Price: £30.00 adults, £15.00 children/concessions, Duration 1 day (max no.20)
Join us for a full day of bushcraft, which will give you a good insight into a variety of survival skills - suitable for adults and children over the age of 8 (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Activities include natural shelters, fire lighting, natures larder, navigation, camp craft, natural cordage. All food is included.
Family bushcraft weekend: (For adults and their children over 8) Dates: 10.00am Saturday 21st August - 4.00pm Sunday 22nd August 2010 (at Ham Hill) Price: £70.00 adults, Free for first child, £30.00 for second child (adults can only bring their own children please). Duration 2 days (max no. 20)
Join us for a whole weekend of bushcraft, which will give you a good insight into a variety of survival skills including natural shelters, fire lighting, natures larder, navigation, natural cordage, campcraft, natural whistles, animal tracks and signs. All food is included.
Corporate days/weekends and private groups: Price: is dependant on type/age of group, and length/content of course.
We can tailor-make your experience to suit your group - please phone or email to discuss your needs (see below). Learn the knowledge needed to sustain life - natural shelters, fire lighting, natures larder, navigation, camp craft, natural cordage, natural whistles, and animal tracks and signs. All food is included in the price of the day/weekend. This can take place either at Ham Hill or Yeovil Country Park.
To view further information on the buschcraft courses please select one of the links below:
If you have any queries or would like to discuss corporate/group bookings, please contact us on: 01935 823617 or email the Ham Hill team. To book onto a bushcraft course please contact the Heritage and Visitor Information Centre on 01935 845946.
Once you are booked onto a course, we ask that all participants please complete a bushcraft registration form so that we have important details of all participants. Please complete the form and bring it with you to the bushcraft course that you are attending.
