Abney Park, South Lodge

Carve a bowl from locally grown wood in a day!

Spend the day in our beautiful outdoor workshop carving a piece of locally sourced wood into a bowl. Using traditional hand-tools you’ll create a useful and aesthetically pleasing bowl. First you’ll use an adze and then a gouge to hollow and smooth the inside of the bowl. You’ll then shape the outside using an axe and finally a drawknife to smooth it out. At the end of a physically active day you’ll go home with your own wooden bowl.


*Trees grow from the top, not the bottom. Watch for 100 years and you’ll notice the branches only move a few inches up the trunk as the tree grows*

Learning how to safely use an axe, an adze and gouges, you will make a hand carved bowl from a log of wood. Using a locally grown sycamore tree and hand tools, you'll create a bowl, perfect for as small fruit bowl and for picknicking. You'll work outdoors at a woodland workshop, keeping warm with this physically active workshop.

* Take home your own bowl to keep or give away
* Build on your new green woodwork skills and continue making in wood

Keep all that is crafted during the workshop.

Places are limited so book now to make sure you get yours!

Although this class has specific dates when it runs, you can also book it for a private group of 3-4 people on a day of your choosing! The cost of this is £75 per head and all you have to do is click [this link](https://obby.co.uk/group-workshops/london), enter the necessary details and then leave us to do our magic and arrange it for you. It couldn't be simpler!

Jacques

Martyn

The bowl carving workshop takes place outside in the peaceful surrounds of the cemetery at Stoke Newington. Jo the workshop leader has infinite patience and a great deal of knowledge that she is happy to share. A cup of tea, a chat and a chocolate biscuit whilst taking a break made for a great day.

Constant

Wonderful workshop! Skilled teacher giving thorough explications and tips, high quality tools and a step by step approach to reach our goal and carve beautiful bowl!
I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to know how to carve and also how to safely use the different tools. An enjoyable experience!

Another brilliant workshop from London Green Wood. Excellent and patient tuition from Jo, a great atmosphere and very lovely biscuits. Would recommend!

Really enjoyable day learning new skills working with an Adze and using an axe to carve a rustic bowl . Plenty of excellent tuition from Jo.

First rate teaching from a first rate teacher. Great day of learning and activity in a superb setting inside Abney Park cemetary in Hackney. Will go back for more.

Jo, the tutor, is amazing - so knowledgeable and patient. The class was just fantastic from start to finish! It was so beautiful to be outside all day and the fire and ever replenishing cups of tea kept us warm when we weren't working hard.
I would recommend this to anyone - I had the best day. I couldn't stop smiling and looking at my bowl all evening!

I very much enjoyed the Bowl Carving workshop yesterday. It was wonderful to be working outdoors, in the beautiful surroundings of Abney Park. There were five of us doing the workshop with instructor Jo and volunteer helper Paul and all the work was carried out in a  friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The bowl carving workshop gave us an excellent introduction to the use of different tools for working with green wood.  Jo was an excellent instructor: she kept an eye on us all and gave instruction without being intrusive, with little bits of help here and there where necessary to ensure we would have a completed item by the end of the day. I will be coming back to London Green Wood for more!

So wonderful to work with natural materials and feel the accomplishment of the making something on the day. 
We would have loved a much more informative workshop however. More information about different woods, tools and their purpose, how to achieve different results and what to expect while using the tools we have. We know one can ask but it is not the same as experiencing a workshop that is more structured in terms of knowledge. Plus we are introverts and rely on the teacher to lead the class rather than students to know which questions will bring more appropriate results.
We have got a bowl but neither of us knows whether we would know which wood to use next, we don't know how to take care of the wood afterwards and what to do in case of trouble shooting. We have only been assured that nothing bad will happen. 
We don't know where to get tools from and how to acquire them and we don't know what we could use this experience for next. Another bowl would be great, but it would be nice to know there is a follow up or continuation if we enjoyed the workshop and would wish to learn more.
It was lovely to have a very laid back approach but we didn't think that would compromise the overall amount of education.
Jo and Dave are really nice people. They both seemed really tired towards the end of the day, so we hope they are all well and happy. We wish them the very best of luck in the future with their workshops. xxx

Great day spent carving a bowl. Hard work paid off thanks to excellent teachers.

Bowl Carving Workshop

Jennifer Hodson

Hard to believe I was able to turn a log into a bowl in a few hours with no previous experience.  Jo guided the group expertly, adapting the demonstrated techniques according to dexterity, physical capability so everyone had a bowl to be proud of at the end. I'd recommend this course. It was a very therapeutic day outside, regardless of the rain.

Davina Raftery

We had a great day carving fruit bowls. Our efforts may not be works of art, but we feel very proud of what we achieved. Dave was very patient with us and there was a lovely atmosphere. We came away with a much greater appreciation of the skills and strength required in woodworking.

Lloyd Prosser

Had a really good time! Was definitely tired at the end of the day but would 100% recommend. 

Alexandre Carle

What a blast, it was so nice. Dave was very patient with us and used different teaching techniques depending on the audience, which was very thoughtful. I can only highly recommend the Bowl Carving Workshop with London Green Wood team. Thank you

Joel Furze

A really enjoyable day. The pace felt steady and unhurried, and we got to try a good variety of tools and techniques throughout the course. Abney Park is a lovely location for the course and it's easy to forget that you're in the middle of London as you adze, gouge and chop your way towards an enchantingly rustic wooden bowl!

Jenny Baker

Absolutely loved this workshop. Really well organised, with all the right equipment. Lovely setting and relaxed atmosphere. Everyone very friendly. Tutor was very informed. Really satisfying experience

Melissa Suen

It was a great day out! The environment of the workspace was really peaceful and relaxing. Dave was great. Really knowledgeable, patient, his repetition of demos was helpful. Despite being at the beginning of my third trimester of pregnancy, I was assured before hand that it would not be an issue. Dave was happy to help with some of the tasks and I was able to take little breaks in between. They don't joke when they say it is a physically challenging course - the other people on the course all agreed it wasn't easy. We had tired arms by the end of the day, but it was definitely worth it for our finished bowls! The facilities were great considering it was outdoors. The toilets were clean and close by, and there was a tarp put up when there was a light drizzle. Coffee and tea offered throughout the day. 

janine young

What a wonderful day I had making a bowl in a day. I used tools I'd never seen let alone used before. Dave was a great tutor and being among other enthusiastic learners was inspiring. It was quite challenge but so rewarding. 

Leila Powell

Fantastic day! The instructor and the rest of the group were really friendly and the outoor workshop is a lovely setting (even in winter!). Plenty of breaks during the day and lots of tea and coffee available. It was a very small group so you could get personal advice and tips from the instructor which was great for learning. Everyone in the group came away with a successful bowl, reagrdless of their experience level, and we were all really happy with what we'd achieved. 

Lauren Probert

A brilliant way to spend a day. Dave was a very patient teacher, and I’m delighted with my bowl.

Ben Ware

Excellent course and great teacher. Thanks David

Emma Stell

My second course with London Green Wood and it was another great experience.  

Our teacher was really patient and supportive and the pace of the class was just right.

Such a lovely way to spend a day.

The bowl in the picture used to advertise the course is what inspired me to enrol for the day because I thought it represented a bowl made on the course.  
Unfortunately I felt misled by this picture.   We all had to make the same shape of bowl in the exact same way which wasn't anything like the one in the picture.   This wasn't made clear at the beginning of the day and I think it should have been.    So, although I enjoyed learning some carving techniques and using new tools, I was disappointed with the bowl I ended up with and was desperate to customise it continuously throughout the workshop but the the day wasn't structured to be flexible in this way.  

Lesley Smith

Something I have wanted to do for a long time. It was very good. The teacher, Dave, was excellent. Clear instructions, very helpful - a good atmosphere, (all adult ages).
I would highly recommend this course and looking forward to the next one. 

Danny Child

Really enjoyed the bowl carving course.  I took photos as I went along, step by step, and it was amazing to see the transformation from a wedge of tree trunk to a bowl!  David was our instructor, and he was careful and considerate, with plenty of tips on skills, being safe and design options.  Will go again!

Beth Ingram

Great course Thankyou :) - only change would be that I would love to be shown techniques I could also do at home with simple tools and no shaving horse etc 

Mathieu Jones

Romeo Hodges

I really enjoyed the bowl carving class. It was well taught and easy to follow along. 

Julia Beaman

An excellent satisfying day . Jo guided us through the process in a clear and helpful way. There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere about the  place.

Stephen Blanchard

Our tutor Jo worked very hard to guide is through the quite demanding (and satisfying) process of bowl carving.  Each step was clearly explained and demonstrated and there was one to one help whenever we found things a bit tricky.  Temperatures into the thirties were an extra challenge but I think we were all proud of our finished bowls.  There was a relaxed and supportive atmosphere despite the heat.

oliver rakocevic

I really enjoyed the bowl carving course and loved using both adze and drawknife! Jo is an ace facilitator who brings a wealth of experience to LGW's woodcarving courses.  The weather was unusually hot that day and I appreciated how Jo took time to look out for our group's well being, providing frequent breaks, corn snacks and even cool ginger ale! Thanks Jo for a fabulous well held course! 

caroline hewitt

Amazing - lovely setting , very friendly atmosphere and great teacher.  Will be back for more!

Ana Gomes

Wonderful day course! Well taught and supported by Jo in the cosy space of London Green Wood. Had a great time carving a bowl with a variety of hand tools. Highly recommended! 

Dan Armstrong

Really enjoyable day bowl carving, great introduction to working with green wood and certain tools. Might have a new hobby out of it!

Andrea Lo

My first course at London Greenwood and I loved it! The day was well-structured as we learnt to use a variety of hand tools to carve out our bowls. Graham, our instructor was supportive and friendly. Lovely space too! I’m already looking at other courses to do :)

Jonathan Joseland

A beautiful day in the London Green Wood space, despite turning up an hour early by accident! Fulfilled a desire to (safely...) play with an adze and came away with a pretty good bowl to boot - great hangover cure!

Simon Whitehead

A great day. Excellent tutor and great facilities.

Casey Haaland

Did bowl carving with Graham in March and had an absolutely amazing time. The process of turning a hunk of wood into a bowl over the course of a day was really fascinating (also tiring!). I found it intensely meditative and really easy to lose myself in the activity. Highly recommend!

Nick Cliffe

Great day - from blank to carved bowl via adze, gouge, axe & drawknife. Fantastic teacher, great setting and a remarkably friendly Robin. 

Susan Hunter

It was a great day learning new skills with hand tools. Our instructor was excellent, showing us the various steps in making a bowl and offering help when needed.
The location is unique, a fabulous little oasis in the middle of the city.  The group was just 6 participants. I highly recommend it.

Pablo Delahaye

Wayne Chalom

It was really good fun, Graham was a great teacher who was hands on and helped out when it got too tough and he was funny too. Ed, the teacher in training, was really polite and stopped me axing once when my thumb was near the wood which I really appreciated. Good for the price and now I've got an awesome bowl with a great story carved into it.

Jennifer Moulds

Second course myself and my son have attended and I can't recommend enough. Just a thoroughly enjoyable day in great surroundings with superb tutors with no pretences, no pressure, just ensuring everyone leaves happy and pleased with their output

Sophie Denham

Really fun day. 
Graham and Ed were knowledgable, fun and patient whilst walking us through the different skills to make the bowls, helping when needed. 
The venue is a great spot, shaded, really relaxed atmosphere. 
We had a really fun day.  

Eric Haavind-Berman

Incredibly rewarding and fun day at the workshop. 

TIMOTHY WRIGHT

I had a fantastic time bowl carving! It was hard work but the tuition from Graham was great. Came away with a lovely bowl and some new skills, would thoroughly recommend!

Scott  Romaine

Great day bowl carving at the London Green Wood Society.
Graham and Ed were excellent, informative and friendly tuition.

Earl Fogler

My friend and I traveled from the states to take a bowl and spoon course.  Had a great time.  Instructors were engaging, knowledgable and patient with us "green" behind the ears novices.  Great way to brush up on hand skills.

Josh Utay

Thank you for a great course!
I wish I lived closer. I would become an active member in a heartbeat and be there at every possible occasion. 
May this community know only success in all of its endeavors and initiatives.  :-) 

Susan Houghton

Good clear instruction and support from the trainer. Well structured day and all learners complete a lovely wooden bowl!
A lovely venue too, couldn't fault it and would definitely recommend.

Corinna Goepfert

My partner and I had a wonderful and fun time carving bowls. The two instructors were amazing in explaining and helping out. We learned a lot and enjoy our new bowls :)
Can totally recommend participating in the bowl carving workshop. 

Kasia Myatt

Really great workshop with Graham and Ed who helped us produce a couple of amazing bowls

Esther Gladman

A very special opportunity as hard to find similar easily. Good teaching by friendly skilled people, in a relaxed atmosphere. We have now done 3 courses here & would recommend if curious, want to use your hands & feel like you are away from the city for a while ( whilst still being in it) & learn a new skill. Thankyou to Graham & Ed 

Alice Garland

I really enjoyed the bowl carving workshop, it was quite challenging learning new skills and how to use the tools, but it was great fun and the experts were knowledgeable and friendly. I'm delighted with my bowl and would recommend the course as a great way to spend the day learning and creating.

Bowl CARVING

Steve Carter

Really satisfying course that was well supervised and instructed in convenient surroundings and a helpful and friendly atmosphere. Thank so much!

Justine Henderson

Graeme and Ed were brilliant in teaching the wood working techniques, using the tools and helping to craft our wooden bowls.  We thoroughly enjoyed the day.  We cannot wait to book the spoon making session. Highly recommend. 

amanda kemp

I found the wood carving  class very interesting, and learn alot.

Bowl CARVING at Abney Park Cemetery N16

Jenna-Leigh Dolpire

The class was so so good! Graham was a great teacher, so patient and relaxed. I bought the class for my dad and I for his birthday and we both really enjoyed it! You can take your time when making your bowl, you don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed, and really good energy throughout the day. We were 4 people in the class and it was perfect. Thoroughly enjoyed, thank you! 

Bowl CARVING at Abney Park Cemetery

Charlotte Bickley

A very enjoyable course which enabled me to try a number of different hand tools. Graham was a very friendly and knowledgeable tutor and the facilities were good with a cafe and toilets a short walk away. The only slight negative was that the cemetry closes at 4pm in winter, which did not allow sufficient time for us to finish smoothing our bowls

Myshkin  Clarke Hall

Anna Leathley

I thoroughly enjoyed the bowl carving workshop. The teacher was really great. He explained everything thoroughly, and clearly, and was fantastic at describing how to use the different tools. I thoroughly recommend this course to anyone.

Concessionary rates available. 10% discount on courses scheduled on weekdays