Join us for an introduction to Scandinavian roundwood log cabin building in our beautiful woodland in Cornwall.

During the course we will aim to cover:
Practical and theoretical introduction to roundwood scribing and log cabin building using both traditional and modern tools. Richard Anderson, from Norwegian Wood, will be guiding you through the practical processes from initial log selection and preparation, scribing and cutting notches, safe and effective axe techniques, wall construction, and safety considerations. During this course you will get hands on working with an axe (Norwegian bile) and chisel to create the distinctive corner notches in roundwood timber and learn to level out each successive log to build up the wall. The course will focus on the use of traditional hand tools but Richard will also demonstrate the use of chainsaws and creating window and door reveals.

This is very much an introduction to this exciting skill and so we will not be completing a full building*, but you will come away with the knowledge and practical skills to be able to apply this to your own log cabin projects. The aim of this course is to give you as much practical hands on experience as possible in axe skills and chiselling the notches, whilst giving you the theoretical knowledge of laying foundations and adding windows, doors and roofing options. Richard offers a separate course on log cabin roof construction which is a skill in itself so please get in touch if you’d like to find out more.

At the end of a hard days work, you can relax in one of our hammocks in the woods or there is plenty to explore nearby including the Cornish South coast (Looe beach is just four miles away), a stone circle a mile away or the nearby Bodmin moor.

All meals are included and accommodation is in shared camping in a tipi. Hot, wood fired open air showers are also available on request and a campfire to sit around to share stories.

*(a full cabin build is a 6 month long plus process and not something that can be covered in five days).

Accommodation

You’ll be staying in our small private woodland, near to the beaches and harbour of Looe, in Cornwall in a large shared tipi.

We share the woodland with its wild inhabitants including deer, fox, badgers and Tawny owls. The bluebells may still be showing their faces along with wild garlic.

You will need to bring a roll mat/or camp bed and bedding. A full list of what to bring will be sent out after booking.

You will receive a hot meal on arrival Friday evening, and then three meals throughout the duration cooked over the camp fire. Special diets can be accommodated.

There will be an opportunity to shower in our hot, wood fired open air showers and we use composting toilets.

If you prefer not to camp in the tipi, then it is possible to bring your own campervan, stay in a hammock and tarp or alternatively, I can suggest nearby B&B accommodation at your own cost.

Physical Requirements

Our courses are situated on a sloped woodland. They are open to anyone who can walk over uneven ground and up a short woodland slope. This particular course is very physical and will require some manual lifting.

It is open to any gender and from aged 18 upwards.

If you have any specific medical concerns or additional needs then please inform us prior to booking. Please also bring along any necessary medication you may need.

Other Information

In addition to the skills learnt during the course, you will also receive:
Course notes covering theory and practice
Skills and knowledge to build your own log cabin from scratch
Scandinavian ‘tommestokk’ – a folding ruler device to help with scribing
Wooden mallet
Opportunity to stay on after the course to gain practical experience
A new community of friends

Pre requisites: Appropriate PPE – steel toe capped shoes and gardening gloves
Some prior woodworking experience is necessary. Please get in touch if you have any concerns

Tools: All tools are provided but bring your own if you have them, for e.g. chisels, gouge, saw, spirit level, pencil, measuring tape, hewing axe/ broad axe.

Clothing: Wear weather dependent clothing that you don’t mind getting mucky. A full list of what to bring will be sent out after confirmation of your booking.

Travel: Pick up from the nearby train station can be arranged. Directions will be given after booking.

IMPORTANT: There are a limited number of places on this workshop. If the minimum number of places are not sold then unfortunately this workshop will be postponed and your payment refunded. Please do not book any transport or alternative accommodation until we have confirmed the course is running. We will do this when asking for the balance of the payment to be made.

Itinerary

Arrival after 6pm Friday 9th June. You will be greeted with a hot meal and shown your accommodation so that you can settle in. The first night will be spent around the camp fire getting to know your fellow group participants.

Saturday 10th June – Wednesday 14th June

Meal times will be decided amongst the group but we will aim to start early and get as much hands on working time as possible so that you can gain the practical experience in;

initial log selection and preparation, scribing and cutting notches, safe and effective axe techniques, wall construction, and safety considerations. During this course you will get hands on working with an axe (Norwegian bile) and chisel to create the distinctive corner notches in roundwood timber and learn to level out each successive log to build up the wall. The course will focus on the use of traditional hand tools but Richard will also demonstrate the use of chainsaws and creating window and door reveals.

You will create your own wooden mallet and explore making bark containers from the waste of the logs.

At the end of a hard days work, you can relax in one of our hammocks in the woods or there is plenty to explore nearby including the Cornish South coast (Looe beach is just four miles away), a stone circle a mile away or the nearby Bodmin moor.

Departure after 5pm Weds 14th June  If you have a long drive, then you are welcome to stay on and leave the following morning. Equally, if you want to stay on and gain further practical experience in notching logs then you are welcome to, as a small group of volunteers will continue to work on the build over the next couple of weeks. Please message me for further information.