Walderchain Wood reviews

4 Jul 25'

David Parsons reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Fantastic course. Mark is a superb host at his relaxing forest workshop. He explained and demonstrated each stage of green spoon-making from splitting the wood to completing the finished spoon, one step at a time, then guiding us to do the same. He emphasised safe techniques so we could go home and repeat the process without injuring ourselves. He had different makes of tools for us to compare and try, to help us choose if we wanted to buy our own in the future. Tea, coffee and biscuits were provided during the day and his wife cooked a wonderful lunch for us all. Overall, a relaxing day out, either as a novel one-off or with the confidence to go home and start a new hobby. Highly recommended."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"David, thank you for the great review and glad you enjoyed the day. Keep carving! All the best Mark and Cristina"

9 Jun 25'

Lisa reviewed: Bowl Carving (Round Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"The bowl carving day was a fantastic relaxing experience. As a follow up to a previous spoon carving day, my partner and I learnt a lot from Mark's expert knowledge and were able to recap prior skills taught. We took home a great little bowl each and were left wanting to make more!! The workshop is set in a wonderful relaxing woodland and we were treated to a lovely lunch made by Christina. Thank you both for another great day out!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Lisa, Good to see you here again. Glad you enjoyed the day and grateful for sharing your experience. All the best Mark and Cristina"

5 May 25'

Toby reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"We had an excellent day in a gorgeous setting and left feeling confident enough to carve at home. Mark’s teaching style is excellent and gave everyone the confidence, techniques and knowledge needed to produce lovely spoons. The woodland setting and delicious lunch all make this a great experience. Good for beginners or those with a little more experience. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Toby Thank you for joining us and for taking time to share your experience here. Glad you enjoyed the day. Keep making! All the best Mark and Cristina"

11 Apr 25'

Alan Hinton reviewed: Bowl Carving (Oval Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"I attended the Walderchain Wood bowl carving course today and had one of the best days I’ve had for a long time. Mark is an excellent teacher and made the learning enjoyable. Added to this is the wonderful site and workshop in the Kent countryside and a fantastic lunch provided by Mark’s wife, and at the end of the day I had a bowl to take home. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Alan Good to see you back here. Glad to hear you enjoyed the day. Keep up the good work. All the best Mark and Cristina "

9 Apr 25'

Kirsty reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I attended the spoon carving workshop having always liked the idea of whittling! Turns out there's a lot more to carving a spoon than just whittling, and Mark was a patient and thorough teacher, guiding us through the initially somewhat daunting stages of axe-wielding and knife-work with good humour and an emphasis on safe techniques. He clearly has a deep knowledge of and love for his craft and transmitted this to all of us. The woodland setting was amazing, the lunch delicious. Definitely recommend the day!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Kirsty Thank you for joining us and for the lovely review. Glad you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark and Cristina"

3 Apr 25'

Elke Heckel reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Fabulous day. Not just learning how to make charcoal and that you don't need a woodland to do that! But also a delicious lunch made by Christina and excellent charcoal drawing tuition by Kim. It was fantastic to be able to be outside most of the day under the roof of the work shop area in a beautiful setting. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Elke Thank you for joining us and glad to hear you enjoyed your day here. All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim"

29 Mar 25'

Liz May reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"An excellent course. Mark is a brilliant teacher and I learnt a great deal about wood carving and the tools required. I will try to give it a go on my own now! "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Liz Thank you for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the day. Mark"

27 Mar 25'

Mandy reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I highly recommend this course. What a wonderful day! Knowledgable, friendly tutors - and amazing space and a lovely lunch. Thank you Mark and Kim I learnt lots and had fun!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Mandy Thank you for joining us and taking time to share your experience. All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim"

24 Mar 25'

Lucy reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I had such a wonderful day learning to make - and play with - charcoal. I don’t think I’ll make my own but it was so interesting to see how it can be made and then brilliant to make marks and drawings with it afterwards. The setting is absolutely beautiful and the lunch was really delicious!! Thank you Walderchain!!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Lucy, I'm glad you enjoyed your day here and thank you for sharing your experience. All the best Mark"

23 Mar 25'

Nicky Hook reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A wonderful day in unique surroundings- quiet peaceful woods with only noise bird sing. Such an interesting time learning how to make charcoal, and then using it in all sorts of ways to create drawings. Thank you so much Mark, Kim and Christina, who made us a delicious lunch. Highly recommend!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Nicky Thank you for joining us and taking time to review your day here. Glad you enjoyed yourself. All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim"

5 Dec 24'

David Roe reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A very good course - fun and very well run, with an excellent lunch. Highly recommended."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"David, Thank you for joining us on the Bowl Carving class and taking time toy review you day here. Glad you enjoyed it. Mark "

2 Dec 24'

Claire Sumner reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A great day with Mark learning new skills - not used green wood before & have limited woodwork experience. The day wasn’t rushed, plenty of guidance and instruction but also time to get stuck in myself. Well equipped workspace set in the woodland the wood is harvested from & lovely home cooked lunch. I’m going to do another course with Mark next year - the oval carved bowl. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Claire Thank you for joining us and for taking time to review your day. You achieved loads and produced a great bowl. All the best Mark"

30 Nov 24'

Alison reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Thank you to Mark and his wife for their hospitality, you both made us feel welcome. Mark has the patience of a saint, as I for one, struggled to get the hang of using the axe and knives. Mark is a very good teacher and he made sure that we leant to use the tools safely. Mark, please thank your wife for their hospitality lovely lunch that was provided for all of us. Both Richard and myself learnt a lot, and we both had an enjoyable day. We are both pleased with our spoons. I would certainly recommend this course,"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Alison Thank you for joining us and for leaving a review of your day here. Glad you enjoyed yourself and got so much from it. All the best Mark and Cristina"

8 Oct 24'

Sara Brown reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"My husband booked this class as a surprise anniversary gift and we both had the most incredible day. I loved it SO much and would love to do more course with Mark and in this location. The class was just the right size to get to know everyone and to get plenty of help from Mark if we needed it. We went through the process step by step and had plenty of time to practice before chopping into the wood for our spoons. I loved that it was a whole day activity that included a home cooked delicious lunch ate around the table together and a lovely walk through the woodland. I left with an item I’ll treasure and new skills that I have continued with since. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Sara Thank you for your review of the class. Glad your both enjoyed your day here. All the best Mark"

7 Oct 24'

Hannah Lees reviewed: Bowl Carving (Round Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"Mark is a patient, methodical teacher. This was my third class with him and each time I am left dreaming of when I can do another class! Highly recommend (especially for Christine's dreamy cake) :-)"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Hannah Thank you for your review. Great to see you here again. Glad you enjoyed it. All the best Mark and Cristina "

17 Sep 24'

Peter Baxter reviewed: Bowl Carving (Round Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"I had an enjoyable day, Mark quickly putting us at ease. Simple cutting to get used to using an axe, then progressing to log splitting and making ready for the spoon carving. Mark guiding us at every stage, with demonstration and personal attention. I came away, confident that I could handle carving. Thank you Mark."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Peter Thank you for joining us and taking time to review the class. Glad to hear you enjoyed the day. Keep at the crafting and hope to see you back here sometime. All the best Mark"

17 Sep 24'

Mrs. Titmuss reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I had a really good day. Mark was very knowledgeable and patient. At the end of the day I felt confident that I understood the rudiments of spoon carving and I will endeavour to try to do it myself. I will go back to Mark’s course if I feel I need some more guidance. I would recommend this day to anyone and lunch was good too! "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Doreen, thank you for joining us and taking time to review the class. Glad you enjoyed it and that you're going to keep carving. All the best Mark"

8 Sep 24'

Adrian Lovis reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A fantastic day. I learnt how to make charcoal and the woods, plus Mark and Kim's valuable support meant the day was both fun and highly creative. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Adrian Thank you for joining us and your review. Glad you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark"

8 Sep 24'

Janet Penton reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I was in Walderchain Woods yesterday making charcoal and being creative with it. I really went because drawing with charcoal is my very favourite thing. The charcoal making bit turned out to be easier and more interesting than I had anticipated! A warm welcome; fascinating venue; informal and friendly atmosphere; expert tuition; good company; delicious lunch and a guided stroll through the woods - all made for a perfect and memorable day. A big thank you to Mark, Kim and Cristina. I’m looking forward to a return visit with friends and family during October’s Canterbury Festival and East Kent Artists’ Open Houses event. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Janet Thank you for taking time to review your day here with us. Glad you enjoyed yourself. See you soon All the best Mark"

21 Jul 24'

Gill Moody reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Spent a memorable day with Mark being taught how to carve a spoon. Our group varied in experience from none at all to using an axe to chop kindling - we were soon all handling a carving axe with confidence and ever improving skill thanks to Mark’s great teaching. Lunch was delicious and a sociable event providing a welcome break from our creative endeavours! We all left with a spoon - all different designs - but most importantly with a sense of achievement and a day well spent in a glorious environment. Now to return for the next level course or maybe the bowl carving in the autumn. Wondering if you should have a go at spoon carving with Mark - just do it! Great day - thankyou Mark."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Gill Thank you for your review of the day. Glad you enjoyed the day. Hopefully see you here on another class. ATB Mark and Cristina (and Alfred and Ruby)"

21 May 24'

Kelly reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"This was bought as a birthday gift. We had an amazing day, the course is so informative and surprising!!! We learnt a great deal about the whole process and accurate ways to use tools. Everyone came away with a spoon. The lunch was delicious and the hospitality amazing. Thank you so much for a wonderful day "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Kelly, a pleasure to meet you both. Thank you for the review, glad you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark and Cristina"

19 May 24'

Angie reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I bought this course for my two grandsons (aged 14 & 20) They both came home pleased with their spoons and said they would definitely like to go back and make the bowl. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Thank you for your review. I'm glad they both enjoyed their day here and are eager to return. All the best Mark"

12 Mar 24'

Jo reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I bought this as a gift for my wife and she said it was one of the best days of her life! Great location, pace of the course was perfect, very thorough, use of quality tools and materials, banging lunch. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review. Glad to hear she enjoyed her gift of a day here so much. All the best Mark and Cristina "

11 Mar 24'

Matt reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I attended the one day spoon carving course. Can't recommend it enough. Mark and Christina were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Great fun and you get to learn a new skill and take something away to be proud of. Beautiful surroundings. The home cooked lunch is fantastic too!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Thank you for your joining us and taking time to review the day. So glad you enjoyed yourself. Keep carving. All the best Mark and Cristina"

23 Oct 23'

Kim Barton reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A really fun day was had with Mark. We all learnt a great deal and left with our handmade spoons and all our fingers intact! A delicious lunch was had too. Cannot recommend this course enough, thank you x We will hopefully be back for another course in due course."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Kim Thanks for joining us it was a blast. Glad you enjoyed yourselves. All the best Mark and Cristina "