Jetsettersblog

Culture and Cruising in Egypt: 10 days from £1,550 per person

Audley have put together a tour of Egypt that is excellent value. It combines 3 nights in Cairo visiting the pyramids and the Cairo Museum with a 4 night Nile cruise and finally two nights to relax at the Movenpick resort in Aswan.

It is available for departures from now until 30th September and costs from £1,550 per person to include international and domestic flights, all meals on the cruise and bed and breakfast elsewhere and guided excursions around Cairo and the pyramids and on the cruise.

Northern Argentina: Save £500 per person

A 10 night tour exploring Buenos Aires, the wetlands and Iguazu Falls from £2,550 per person, a saving of £500 per person. This tour is available for travel from now until 30 September and includes return flights and transfers and bed and breakfast accommodation throughout.

5* Russia in Winter: Save £350 per person

Save £350 on a winter city break to Moscow and St Petersburg by taking advantage of special hotel rates on offer from now until 31st March. For example a week’s holiday combining three nights at the 5 star Baltschug Kempinski hotel in Moscow with four nights at the 5 star Astoria hotel in St Petersburg now costs from £2,100 per person to include return flights, transfers and bed and breakfast accommodation.

Green Season Botswana: Save up to £1,000 per person

Book by 31st March and save £1,000 on a 9 day safari to Botswana for travel from now to 30th April. It is green season so you will see some rain but will also be rewarded with fantastic game sightings in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari, dramatic skies, wonderful birdlife and fewer visitors.

Stay at the superb Tau Pan camp in the Central Kalahari and from there go to Nxai Pan before spending a final 3 nights at Kwara Camp in the Okavango Delta, located in an exclusive private concession.

The price for this trip is now £3,800 per person to include return international flights, light aircraft transfers between camps, all meals and drinks and all game viewing activities.

Orient Express Through Thailand: Save up to £800 per person

An 18 night journey combining 3 nights at the Fullerton hotel in Singapore with 3 nights at the Peninsula hotel in Bangkok and a 3 day rail journey in between travelling on the Eastern and Oriental train through the Malaysia countryside into the heart of Thailand. Finish with 8 nights at the Paradee Resort on the beautiful island of Ko Samet.

This trip is available for departures from now until 31 March and costs £3,800 per person, a saving of £800.

It includes return flights, full board on the train journey, transfers and all other accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.

Further details from Audley on 01993 838 000 www.audleytravel.com

This summer’s solar eclipse in Tahiti will be the last opportunity for travellers to witness this remarkable natural wonder until autumn 2012.

Explorers is running an expedition to take in the expected 3½ minutes of absolute darkness from an exclusive Pacific atoll which is home to just 1,500 inhabitants.

The 2010 solar eclipse will offer limited observation points as the path of totality only crosses land in three remote island locations; the Cook Islands, Easter Island and French Polynesia. Of these, Explorers has secured the best vantage point – the remote atoll of Hao in the Tuamotu Islands, some 500 miles east of Tahiti and 3,000 miles from the nearest mainland.

After a private charter flight transfer, this idyllic corner of palm-fringed paradise will be the group’s home for two nights. Here they will enjoy the simplicity of the island lifestyle, including Explorers’ own private tented campsite.

Having marvelled at the morning eclipse from Explorers’ carefully selected observation point, acclaimed astronomer and expedition guide Dr John Mason MBE will take advantage of the spectacular view of the southern sky to treat the group to a Live Planetarium Show.

With the choice of two itineraries to make the most of the long travel distances, holidaymakers are encouraged to take advantage of other nearby destinations. However, both tours ensure guests have ample opportunity to fully take in Tahiti’s picture-postcard landscapes, from hiking across its jungle-covered peaks to world-class diving.

 Standard 12 day itinerary: Centred around tropical Tahiti and the Tuamotu Islands, the tour takes place 6 – 17 July, offering plenty of opportunities to explore the island’s mountain scenery and azure waters for £3,999pp (incl. flights).

 Tahiti, the Tuamotus & California: Observe the eclipse before embarking on a classic road-trip down the Pacific coastline from LA to San Francisco via Yosemite.

The tour takes place 6 – 24 July at a cost of £4,999pp (incl. flights).

To find out more contact Explorers on 0845 609 1591 or visit www.explorerseclipse.co.uk

Head to London this Easter for an eventful Easter family ‘staycation’ at Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton. From 1 to 18 April, the quirky 5-star hotel in the heart of the West End, is offering enticing accommodation and dining packages, where kids stay and eat for free!

From £368, based on a two night stay throughout the school holiday period, two adults and one child can enjoy an exciting central London mini break including full English breakfast, a 3-course dinner on one of the nights, a selection of chocolate Easter eggs and a complimentary upgrade to an Executive Room, upon availability.

To make the package especially attractive to parents, kids stay and eat for free! (roll-away bed provided for children).

In-house guests on Easter Sunday can also attend free family movie screenings in the hotel’s private cinema, or dine on a sumptuous festive brunch for an additional £40 per adult and £25 per child, including welcome drink.

For a little more family fun, Sanook Spa’s heated swimming pool and sauna is complimentary to guests throughout their stay, and mum or dad can even sneak off to enjoy the 1.5 hour Easter Mocha Magic spa experience, which includes an espresso body polish and full body hot cocoa butter massage along with a cup of espresso, hot chocolate or Mocha for £100!

Located in the heart of London’s shopping and entertainment district, close to iconic stores such as Liberty, Hamleys and the plethora of retail havens on Regent Street and Oxford Street, the quirky yet luxurious Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton is the ideal base from which to explore the city’s many sights. Visit London Zoo, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and the many live theatre shows within a 10 minute underground journey of the hotel.

Treat the kids to an action packed Easter break in the city at the Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton, to book please contact the hotel directly on +44 0207 297 5555 or email reservations@courthouse-hotel.com

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London has launched its Easter Family Rate offering a complimentary adjoining bedroom for children from just GBP 375 for the Easter weekend, including breakfast and Easter treats.

Situated in fashionable Knightsbridge and on the very edge of Hyde Park, the hotel provides the perfect location for both parents and children alike. Covering 142 hectares, Hyde Park offers a range of leisure activities including tennis, horse riding, boating, roller-skating, wildlife watching and immaculately maintained playgrounds. Equally the hotel is centrally positioned for all the cultural attractions of Mayfair and the West End, and the Capital’s finest shopping.

Those looking to hide away from the busy metropolis need never leave the hotel. Swathed in a rich and sumptuous blend of satins and silks, each room is beautifully prepared with Irish linen bed sheets and goose-down pillows and offers the latest in technology including flat screen Bang & Olufsen TVs and iHome docking stations. For the ultimate in relaxation,

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental offers treatments where East and West blend in perfect harmony and the stylish Mandarin Bar serves cocktails accompanied by live jazz.

With glorious springtime views across Hyde Park, guests can enjoy the spacious surroundings whilst indulging in a special Easter Afternoon Tea or an Easter Sunday Lunch in The Park restaurant. And a colourful afternoon Easter Egg Hunt for our younger guests amongst the flowery terrace, including a delicious chocolate egg prize, is sure to satisfy even the most demanding of young palates.

Terms and conditions:
The Easter Family Rate is priced from GBP375.00 + VAT, and includes:

-Accommodation in two interconnecting rooms for a family with children
-Full English breakfast in The Park restaurant
-A bottle of iced champagne for parents
-An in-room Easter Treat for children
-Participation in a colourful Easter Egg Hunt on the terrace (Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 April at 3.30pm only)

Based on double occupancy in two rooms, the Easter Family Rate excludes 17.5% VAT and 5% discretionary service charge. Children must be under 12 years of age.

The rate is available from Friday 02 April to Monday 05 April inclusive, subject to availability. For reservations please contact Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park directly on +44 (0) 20 7235 2000

or refer to the on-line reservations service at www.mandarinoriental.com/london

Live Theatre May 2010

Durham Mysteries 2010 – Ten stories, two thousand years in the making

Anticipation is building for one of year’s most exciting dramatic performances. Durham Mysteries will see a major revival of a traditional mystery play cycle, specially written for Durham by 10 creative practitioners from across the UK including the likes of David Almond (Skellig) and Ian McMillan (BBC Radio 3).

Still performed in UK cities such as York and Chester, Mystery Plays are one of the earliest forms of live theatre.

Their resurrection in Durham, while celebrating the city’s faith-based history, will see a contemporary ‘retelling’ of traditional Mysteries stories over three nights from May 27 – 29 at venues across the city involving everything from dance and opera, to musical theatre, film and new media.

For more information and tickets please visit www.durhammysteries.co.uk
Where to Stay details: www.thisisdurham.com

Durham Mysteries play synopsis

Noah and the Fludd by David Almond,

Profile: Novelist, playwright and short story writer. His most famous work is Skellig, which he has adapted for stage and radio, and which was recently adapted for television.

He has also written two original plays, Wild Girl, Wild Boy and My Dad’s a Birdman. Both adaptations and original plays have been widely performed.

Play: Geordie / north eastern version of Noah and the Flood, spoken in rhythmical direct funny northern speech with a homemade look and feel.

Abraham & Issac by Toby Hulse

Profile: Nationally acclaimed writer and director known for his stage adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World.
Play: A new version of the Old Testament story for the Durham Mysteries 2010, written by the children of Durham aged three to seven.

The Miracle of Lazarus by Judy Upton

Profile: Award-winning theatrical playwright, who has written extensively for stage, screen and national radio.
Play: This is a modern day, dramatic, modern dress interpretation of the Miracle of Lazarus rising from the grave, with startling choreography.

The Harrowing of Hell by Chris Hannan

Profile: Award winning novelist, whose plays have been staged by both the RSC and National Theatre of Scotland.
Play: Presenting a contemporary vision of hell and redemption, utilising a mixture of music and theatre.

‘Heaven’s Got Talent’ or The Fall of Lucifer by Gavin Williams

Profile: Award-winning short film, comedy and horror writer
Play: With God absent from Heaven – attending to the furthest reaches of the universe – the host of angels decide to celebrate His creation with a cosmic talent show!

The Creation and Fall of Man by Em Whitfield Brooks,

Profile: Freelance operatic composer, singer-songwriter and director

Play: A large-scale performance, where visual splendour would be of equal importance to dynamic music, physical theatre, inclusive singing and accessible movement, performed by participants of all ages and abilities from across the community.

God’s Day Off by Ian McMillan

Profile: Comedy writer and BBC Radio 3 presenter. Ian is also poet in residence at Barnsley Football Club

Play: A specially commissioned story written by comedy writer Ian McMillan. This comic play, written in rhyming verse with songs and monologues follows God on His day off as he traverses the North of England.

The Crucifixion by Timothy Craig Harrison,

Profile: Musical composer, who has composed extensively for a wide variety of musicians ranging from school ensembles to cathedral choirs.

Play: Unique musical vision of the crucifixion utilising biblical text and dance.

Cain and Abel by Ellen and Fred Phethean

Profile: Newcastle-based poet and author Ellen Phethean and her son, DJ Fred Phethean

Play: An innovative and urban account of the story of Cain and Abel using a mixture of music, theatre and dance.

The Nativity ‘Who’s the Daddy’ by TIN Arts

Profile: TIN Arts are an arts development company who prepare, devise and create participatory arts activities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy as a participator and as a viewer
Play: Musical and dance performance exploring the Nativity from a different standpoint, examining the role of Joseph in one of the greatest stories ever told.

The new colour supplement from West Country specialists, Helpful Holidays, features forty self-catering cottages and country houses increasing their existing portfolio to nearly 650 holiday homes. Sleeping two to twelve guests in a variety of scenic locations throughout Devon and Cornwall, with a smaller selection in Somerset, many have stunning views across rolling countryside or out to sea.

Highlights include a stunning house for twelve beautifully converted from stone barns on a working farm near South Tawton and a contemporary house for ten with sensational sea views at Bigbury-on-Sea.

There’s also a great choice of smaller places such as a 17th century thatched cottage sleeping six two miles from Branscombe in East Devon and the curious gothic-style gatehouse at Dartmoor’s Bovey Castle, which has space for four guests.

And for those seeking total privacy, a lovely detached holiday home for ten is hidden in two acres of woodland gardens deep in Exmoor.

Prices range from £205 up to £2,825 per week.

Everyone taking a break with Helpful Holidays will receive a free ‘What shall we do today?’ booklet containing around 80 savings vouchers for use at a huge range of attractions throughout the West Country.

It also gives information on local farmers’ markets to ensure you can get some of the top quality local produce to enjoy in your holiday home, plus recommendations for the best beaches, coast and country walks and special places to visit.

For those short of time, Helpful Holidays have now introduced two-night weekend breaks with a late 6pm check-out available from October to Easter 2010, as well as three and four night stays. Two night breaks can only be booked within 28 days of departure.

For a copy of the new supplement and the main brochure call Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063; or search, check availability and book online at www.helpfulholidays.com

The Pick of the Best:

Here are some of the finest examples from the new supplement across a range of sizes:

Amongst the larger houses is Rock Barn near South Tawton in mid-Devon, which sleeps twelve in five bedrooms.

Converted from stone barns which once served as a grain store, the interior of this huge property has been stylishly decorated using white with contrasting darker browns and blacks, while vaulted ceilings, oak beams, a real open fire and bright red and pink accessories give it the wow factor.

A week’s stay at Rock Barn starts from £531, pets welcome. (For details, see page 11 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com  and search for ref J22).

Just 350 yards from the vast sandy beach at Bigbury-on-Sea with panoramic sea views over Burgh Island in South Devon, Hillcrest is a stunning contemporary house for ten. Inspired by the beach houses in Sydney and furnished with flair, it has sliding walls of glass, lime-washed walls and exposed wood.

A four-person sauna is accessed through the master bedroom ensuite, while outside the lawned garden, decked terrace and hammock are finely positioned to enjoy the ever-changing sea view. A week’s stay at Hillcrest starts from £995, (For details, see page 17 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com  and search for ref L114).

About half a mile back from the coast path near Branscombe, East Devon is Dunscombe Cottage, a picture-postcard Grade II thatched cottage for six.

Dating back to the 17th century, it has white cob walls, low lintels, heavy beams, huge inglenook with woodburner and the original backened oak spiral staircase.

A week’s stay at Dunscombe Cottage starts from £376. (For details, see page 12 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com  and search for ref G33).

The detached, gothic-style gatehouse to Bovey Castle Hotel on Dartmoor, Devon is just inside the main entrance gates with views over the 18 hole golf course.

Built in 1907, Rose Cottage now sleeps four in two bedrooms. The quirky interior has been decorated with bold dark colours in the living rooms and jet black walls with down-lighters in the kitchen, while upstairs there are two light, bright bedrooms. Guests can enjoy the pool, gym, sauna and steam room at the hotel and all those over 16 also receive a complimentary round of golf; other activities are available at extra charge.

A week’s stay at Rose Cottage starts from £415, pets welcome. (For details, see page 23 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for ref A104).

Hidden in a deep Exmoor valley near Parracombe is Cowley Wood, a lovely detached house for ten set within two acres of private woodland gardens. A beautiful and tranquil place to stay with no visible neighbours other than visiting deer and badgers, the house has recently been renovated and refurnished.

A week’s stay at Cowley Wood starts from £366, pets welcome. (For details, see page 7 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for ref F44).

Sleeping five, Wassail Cottage near Stoke Gabriel in South Devon has been cleverly converted from a Grade II listed cider barn – it still overlooks neighbouring orchards. Insider the large circular stone pillars have been retained and complemented by fresh modern decor.

A week’s stay at Wassail Cottage starts from £285, pets welcome. (For details, see page 14 of the colour supplement or visit www.helpfulholidays.com and search for ref L119).

Customary celebrations at Easter often include a visit from the Easter Bunny, a parade, or even a chocolate egg hunt. But if you’re looking for something a bit egg-straordinary to do this year two Leicestershire villages have the answer with their own Easter tradition that’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Typically the picture of quintessential English tranquillity, every Easter Monday (Monday 5th April) this serenity is shattered, for one day only, with the ancient tradition of Bottle Kicking when residents of two Leicestershire villages, Hallaton and Medbourne, grapple with hundreds of strangers in a muddy field over a small beer keg, the ‘bottle’.

There are virtually no rules to the ceremony; however the object of the game is to wrestle a series of ‘bottles’ across two streams (one in each village), one mile apart.

There are three bottles in total, two filled with beer and the third, called ‘the dummy’, which is made of solid wood and painted red and white. A different bottle is used for each point played and the first team to get a bottle to their village’s stream wins the point. The first village to two points wins.

The event kicks off with a parade through the villages and the cutting-up of a hare pie which precedes the ‘Hare Pie Scramble’ where pieces of the pie are thrown to waiting contestants before the battle begins.

The contest is definitely not for the timorous as the teams have to fight to move the bottles over obstacles such as ditches, hedges and barbed wire.

Broken bones are not unheard of, but the emergency services are always on standby.

For those of a more delicate constitution, there are plenty of other cracking Easter events planned in both Leicester and Leicestershire, including the annual Christian Good Friday pageant in the heart of Leicester which celebrates Good Friday and Easter with an open-air dramatic presentation and processions in the city.

But if that’s not enough to keep the kids busy, there is certainly more to Leicester and Leicestershire than meets the eye – including a host of world-class attractions on the doorstep, coupled with miles of picturesque countryside as part of The National Forest – and it’s just waiting for you to investigate!

Local lore claims that the Bottle Kicking custom has been taking place since the late 1700s, when two ladies of Hallaton were saved from a raging bull by a startled hare, distracting the bull from its charge.

The two women showed their gratitude to God for sending the hare by donating money to the church on the understanding that every Easter Monday the vicar would provide a hare pie, twelve penny loaves and two barrels of beer for the poor of the village.

About Leicester Shire Promotions:

Leicester Shire Promotions is a private, not-for-profit company formed in July 2003 as a partnership between Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership. The company is the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) responsible for promoting Leicester and Leicestershire to visitors, based on a coordinated place marketing strategy that focuses on destination leadership and coordination, attracting and visitors, services for and visitors, and services for the tourism industry. For more information, please visit www.goleicestershire.com  or follow us on Twitter at @l_p_l

If music is the rhythm of life, there’s no better place to find your beat than in Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. From ‘A’ lister pop star Whitney Houston and King of Rap, 50 Cent, to fabulous classical Music Festivals and the dazzling kaleidoscope of Carnival, Tenerife is alive with sound, offering an array of musical delights throughout the year.

The action has already begun with the 16th Canary Islands International Music Festival, the only classical Music Festival held during winter in Europe. This year, performances are being held at the spectacular Auditorio de Tenerife – the stunning opera house designed by Santiago Calatrava – and continue through to 7 February, www.festivaldecanarias.com.

Preparations are already underway for the Tenerife Carnival and from 12 – 21 February, Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz, hosts one of the largest and most vibrant musical extravaganzas in the world. Rivaling Rio in its splendour, size and glamour, highlights include the election of the Carnival Queen having already taken place on the 10th February, street parades and the dramatic performance of the famous sardine’s funeral, “el Entierro de la Sardina,” where a huge paper fish is set alight.
Some €30,000 was pledge by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation to ensure the event continues its international acclaim for one of the biggest carnivals in world, with most of the funds used to host media from international publications. Minister of Tourism responsible for promoting the Tenerife Carnival, Jose Manuel Bermudez, said “the effort we are making to hold the carnival, bringing all these journalists, ensuring it continues to attract international exposure and presence externally, is because it continues to be one of the best celebrated calendar events in Europe.”

With Spring the tempo changes to rap, and on 27 March one of the world’s top rap artists, 50 Cent, will be performing live in Santa Cruz. On 30 April Tenerife tops the international music circuit once again when pop diva, Whitney Houston, will take centre stage in Santa Cruz for what is the only Spanish date on her World Tour. Both artistes are sure to provide dazzling performances, following in the footsteps of previous live performances on the island by music icons, Elton John and Rod Stewart.

As the year draws to a close and in celebration of the Christmas Season on 25 December, the island hosts a concert by the Tenerife Orchestra Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfónica de Tenerife. This year’s concert will be held in the city of Santa Cruz where visitors will enjoy a musical celebration together with lights, fireworks and events, www.ost.es.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean Tenerife is only four hours flight from the United Kingdom and served by several airline carriers from multiple airports across the UK and Ireland. Its year-round warm and temperate climate, delightful beaches, contrasting regions of north and south and famous Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, make it one of the most popular short haul destinations for UK visitors and an ideal holiday destination.

From £139 For A Car And 2 People

Say Bon Voyage to Stressful Holidays with DFDS Seaways

This summer make the most of your free time and enjoy your holiday with minimal travel stress. With cruise ferries travelling daily from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and three or four times a week from Harwich to Esbjerg, DFDS Seaways will do the travelling for you so that you can take your mind off the journey and set sail for Europe, carefree.

If you are setting off for your holidays from the North of England, the Midlands or Scotland, think about the time and energy saved by not having to drive to the south coast to enjoy Europe.

Don’t get stuck in motorway queues heading down to Dover, instead take miles off your journey and save pounds worth of fuel too by sailing with DFDS Seaways from Newcastle to Amsterdam. For example if you live in Newcastle and you want to get to Cologne in Germany, you will save 419 miles of driving if you take the DFDS Seaways’ ferry to Amsterdam and drive from there, compared to driving to Dover and then to Cologne from Calais.

Meanwhile, if you’re heading off to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, or northern Germany, DFDS Seaways provides the only ferry route to Scandinavia via its Harwich – Esbjerg route to Denmark.

Forget long check-in queues at airports, baggage restrictions and stressful waiting in departure lounges, as your holiday begins the moment you drive onboard. Simply pack up the car with everything you need, drive onboard and unwind. You can even travel with your tent, campervan or caravan and explore European or Scandinavian campsites and the great outdoors.

You can also easily bring your four legged furry friend with you on your trip thanks to DFDS Seaways’ DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). Animals covered under DFDS Seaways’ DEFRA accreditation include dogs, cats and ferrets; however DFDS Seaways will allow you to travel with other pets including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats and tortoises. So you can take the whole family with you on holiday.

When you arrive in Holland or Denmark you have easy access to the rest of Europe. From the DFDS Seaways’ port in Holland you can get to Germany in 88 miles, Belgium in 85 miles, drive to France in 175 miles or travel beyond.

So after a relaxing crossing you can arrive refreshed, ready to enjoy a drive on the scenic roads of Northern Europe. Sail from Harwich to Esbjerg and from there it’s an easy drive through Denmark, 150 miles to northern Germany and 210 miles to Sweden. You can also travel onto Copenhagen and take the DFDS Seaways’ ferry to Oslo for access into Norway and central Sweden.

On a DFDS Seaways’ cruise ferry there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Check out the shops, various restaurants, bars, live entertainment and on routes from Newcastle a casino and cinemas. Perhaps go on-deck and embrace the sea air.

There is so much to see and do, if you are travelling as a family there are even activities and clubs for the children to keep them occupied.

Prices are from £139 for a car and two passengers or £169 for a car and 4 passengers travelling Newcastle to Holland, one way, and from £232 one way for 2 people plus car and £252 for 4 people travelling to Denmark.

DFDS Seaways also offers a wide range of holiday and short break options including activity holidays at Center Parcs Europe and Sunparks, breaks to a number of fantastic European cities and events, as well as cottage holidays, and much more.

You don’t need to travel to far flung parts of the country to take part in the renaissance in traditional crafts, to be featured on BBC TV over the next six weeks. Here in the heart of The National Forest there are plenty of opportunities to learn the techniques, skills and often forgotten histories of woodland crafts.

Mastercrafts, a six week series filmed in Dorset, starts on 12 February on BBC2, and follows three hopefuls in their search for the perfect traditional craft for them.

Here in The National Forest you can train under master woodsman Peter Wood in his woodland workshop Greenwood Days. Under his expert guidance, novices and keen amateurs can learn pole lathe turning, Windsor chair making, how to make your own long bow and learn to fire it, steam and tar a coracle, weave a willow basket or bend a hazel hurdle on courses lasting from one to eight days.

If Ray Mears’ bushcraft survival skills are more to your taste, there are three survival schools based in The National Forest. Forage for wild food, collect rain water from leaves, twist twine out of tree roots or filter water through socks lined with moss and wood ash. Build a snug shelter in the woods and watch the stars come out.

Or you can volunteer with BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and learn dry stone walling, hedgelaying, coppicing and other countryside skills. It’s a great way to meet people, have fun and get fit at the same time.

See more about Forest experiences on The National Forest website at
www.nationalforest.org/visit/thingstodo/experience.php
 For Peter Wood’s Greenwood Days courses: www.greenwooddays.co.uk
Survival schools in The National Forest:
Survival School: 0871 222 7304
Woodland Survival Crafts: www.woodlandsurvivalcrafts.com
Woodland Ways: www.woodland-ways.co.uk
BTCV: 01530 277855 www.btcv.co.uk