Join us to learn about this heritage craft and the history of charcoal making in The Weald.

This Charcoal Kiln is new to Wilderness Wood, following the successful completion of our crowdfunder in December, but we believe charcoal making at Wilderness Wood dates back as far as the Romans, and is possibly why coppice was first established here!

The Day is a hands on experience and will cover all areas of the charcoal making process from unloading the kiln, grading the charcoal, loading and lighting the kiln, monitoring and shutdown. It aims to cover everything you might want to know to start making charcoal yourself at home in a tin can to commercial scale.

Please arrive at 9.45, ready to walk down to the kiln site together at 10am (a hot drink is included, with refreshments available from The Hatch throughout the day - please note we have limited savoury food, so please bring a packed lunch if you want one).

You are welcome to stay after 1pm once the kiln is lit to watch it burn, however we will not be able to unload the kiln that day.

We have trialled and feel most elements of the course are suitable to share with young people with an accompanying adult.

Price: £35 over 16 (members £25), £10 under 16 (must be accompanied by a paying adult) - payment includes a bag of charcoal for you to take home, and a drink on arrival.

What to bring: work clothes that you don’t mind getting grubby and sturdy shoes; water, packed lunch if you want to stay on.

There is a maximum of 8 people per course

Please email: kateandjake@wildernesswood.org to book - payment due at time of booking.