Reconnect with Nature at the Woodland Skills Centre 🌿

If you’re looking to truly switch off, slow down and experience something different, the Woodland Skills Centre in Bodfari offers a unique escape into the heart of nature.

Set within 50 acres of beautiful woodland in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape this hidden gem invites visitors to step away from modern life and rediscover traditional skills, creativity and wellbeing in a truly inspiring setting.

A Place Where Nature Comes First

From the moment you arrive, it’s clear this is no ordinary visitor attraction. The Woodland Skills Centre is a community-owned, not-for-profit social enterprise, dedicated to protecting the environment while helping people reconnect with it.

The site itself is a destination worth exploring:

• Peaceful woodland walks
• Wildflower meadows and ponds
• Heritage orchards and gardens
• Forest School sites and outdoor spaces

It’s a place where nature isn’t just something to look at—it’s something to experience.

Learn Traditional Skills in a Beautiful Setting

One of the Centre’s biggest draws is its wide range of hands-on courses, with something for all ages and abilities.

Visitors can try their hand at:

• Bushcraft and survival skills
• Wood carving and greenwood crafts
• Basket making and traditional rural crafts
• Countryside management and horticulture

With around 80 different courses each year, it’s the perfect place to learn something new—or rediscover a forgotten skill.

Whether you’re crafting a wooden stool, weaving natural materials, or lighting your first fire, the experience is practical, immersive and incredibly rewarding.

We spoke with Rod, the founder of the centre, who shared the ethos behind the project.
“There is no land ownership—the family has established a 125-year trust to ensure the land is used for the benefit of the local community and the sustainability of our natural resources,” he explained.

Rod went on to highlight the importance of protecting traditional skills. “We are passionate about preserving traditional crafts. There are over 90 endangered crafts identified by the Heritage Crafts Association, and we want to ensure they are passed on to future generations so they don’t disappear.”

He also described rediscovering basket-weaving techniques dating back to 1910, which the team has carefully reproduced to ensure the knowledge is not lost.

Alongside this work, the centre plays an active role in a regional campaign to restore wildflower verges. They also grow native trees from locally sourced stock for organisations across the area and maintain a heritage fruit orchard, further supporting biodiversity and local provenance.

Wellbeing in the Woods

The Woodland Skills Centre isn’t just about learning—it’s also about feeling better.

Through its wellbeing and mindfulness programmes, visitors can enjoy the calming benefits of spending time in nature. From gentle woodland sessions to structured courses, the focus is on improving mental health, reducing stress and helping people reconnect with themselves and the environment around them.

It’s a powerful reminder of how nature can restore and inspire and how important it is to respect our environment for future generations.

Perfect for Families and Groups

The Centre is also ideal for families, schools and groups looking for something a little different.

Experiences include:

• Forest school sessions
• Family days and holiday activities
• Youth group visits and outdoor adventures
• Camping and “stay in the woods” experiences

Children can explore, build, create and learn—all while having fun in a safe and supportive environment.

They also work closely with children and adults with a wide range of difficulties.

A Sustainable Vision for the Future

Everything at the Woodland Skills Centre is designed with sustainability in mind—including its eco-friendly timber-frame buildings, built using natural materials and renewable energy.

The Centre has received multiple awards for its work in conservation, education and community woodland management, making it a leading example of how tourism, learning and sustainability can work hand in hand.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re visiting North East Wales for a weekend break or a longer stay, the Woodland Skills Centre offers a memorable experience that’s both enriching and inspiring.

👉 Explore more or book a course: Woodland Skills Centre. Why not come for a long weekend to North East Wales and learn a new skill?

Discover Something Different

In a world that often feels fast-paced and digital, the Woodland Skills Centre offers something refreshingly simple—the chance to slow down, get your hands dirty, and reconnect with nature.

It’s not just an activity. It’s an experience you’ll carry with you long after you leave.