Working with Woodlands: Coppicing, Charcoal and Rural Skills

Our Working with Woodlands: Coppicing, Charcoal and Rural Skills course, delivered in partnership with Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) South West, is aimed at individuals eager to develop practical woodland skills and gain insight into rural enterprise.

Who is the course suitable for?

• Hobbyists and small woodland owners interested in traditional crafts
• Career changers seeking practical land skills
• Corporate social responsibility-focused organisations and teams interested in outdoor experiences
• Those looking to expand their rural enterprise knowledge

What you’ll achieve at the end of the course

Delegates will:

• Craft simple coppice products, including traditional stakes, binders and hurdles, and gain understanding of processing techniques such as timber milling for coppiced wood
• Learn more about the ecological benefits of woodland restoration 
• Find out how charcoal and biochar are produced, with live demonstration
• Explore small-scale, sustainable rural enterprise opportunities linked to woodland crafts 

A CPD Certificate of Completion

Delegates, on completion, will receive a CPD Certificate of Completion endorsed by the RAU.

How is the course delivered?

We offer our course face-to-face over one day. Our woodland site for the day will be at Duchy Home Farm, Upton, Tetbury.

About the course leaders

Course sessions are delivered by Edward Bonn, Farm Environment Adviser at FWAG South West, supported by Rachel Wheatley, Head Grower at FWAGs GREAT Market Garden Project at the RAU.

Apply today

Book now on our online shop here. 

Our next open course date is:

•  Working with Woodlands: Coppicing, Charcoal and Rural Skills - Saturday 28 February 2026, 9.30 am - 4.00 pm - £125 (+ VAT)

We will be adding more 2026 dates shortly.

To register interest in future dates, please get in touch via our continuing professional development enquiry form or call +44(0)1285 889850.

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If you have any queries or are interested in an exclusive, bespoke course for your organisation, please get in touch via our continuing professional development enquiry form or call +44 (0) 1285 652531.

Funding options

If you are looking at grants to cover the cost of attending our course, you may meet the requirements for Cotswold District Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding. For more information, visit the Cotswold District Council website here.

You may also meet the requirements for Gloucestershire Disability Fund's well-being grants which can fund education and training for adults. For more information, visit the Gloucestershire Disability Fund website here.

Terms and conditions

Read our terms and conditions for short courses and CPD training here.

Please read these carefully before booking.