Name: Primitive Skills: Bark Container Making
Start: 2025-07-06T09:30:00+01:00
End: 2025-07-06T16:30:00+01:00
Location: Park in The Past

MAKE NATURAL CONTAINERS THE STONE AGE WAY
Whether you’re new to traditional crafts or already familiar with natural materials, join us for a one-day immersion into the ancient art of bark container making. Guided by an experienced instructor, you’ll learn how to transform raw bark into beautifully crafted shrink pots and folded containers, skills once relied upon for both practical and decorative purposes. Set against the historically themed backdrop of Park In The Past, this course will reconnect you to the land and teach you how to work with nature’s resources in a meaningful and creative way.
This unique course is perfect for beginners and experienced bushcrafters alike, offering an opportunity to develop hands-on skills that can be practised and adapted to future projects. From selecting and harvesting bark to crafting containers with natural fibres, you’ll experience the satisfaction of turning simple materials into functional, handmade creations.
Your tutor for this course is primitive skills expert Billy Souter:
“Working with bark is an ancient and timeless craft. From the act of stripping bark to stitching it into functional containers, this process connects us to a slower way of living and the wisdom of our ancestors. The beauty of working with natural materials is that no two items are ever the same. These containers not only serve practical uses but also tell a story of the land they came from.”
By the end of the day, you’ll leave with one or two beautifully crafted bark containers and the confidence to apply these skills to your own projects. Whether you’re looking to explore ancient crafts, expand your bushcraft knowledge, or create something both practical and decorative, this course offers a rewarding and enriching experience that celebrates nature’s raw beauty.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
* Learn how to identify and harvest willow bark for crafting.
* Gain hands-on experience preparing bark and understanding its properties.
* Create traditional shrink pots and folded containers using techniques passed down through generations.
* Process a range of natural fibres and learn to lash and secure bark crafts for strength and durability.
* Understand how to select and work with different materials for your desired craft.
* See the natural world through the eyes of our ancestors.
BOOKING
Get in touch if you’d like to know more. Phone James, 07876 794 098 or email us. Advance booking is essential. Tickets are available on our website: https://woodlandclassroom.com/event/primitive-skills-bark-container-making/
The course costs £70.00 for an adult.
If you would like to upgrade your experience into a whole weekend then you could also book on to our previous day's course Primitive Skills: Flint Knapping & Woodcraft - see our website for more info.
ABOUT YOUR TUTOR
Billy Souter is the founder of Billy Souter Primitive Living based in Derbyshire.
“My passion for Bushcraft came to life in my mid teens and quickly led me venturing down the path of primitive living skills.”
“Having found my passion and decided I wanted to expand my knowledge and pass these skills on to others. Since this time I have trained with various incredible teachers within this field and have used these skills in different environments including Scandinavia, Europe and North America.”
“In recent years I have developed and provided engaging Bushcraft sessions at an Outdoor Centre and Public workshop events for Children, SEN groups, Adults and training to forest school providers. I now also work as a Guest Instructor for established schools and individuals teaching Primitive Living Skills.”
ABOUT THE VENUE
Park In The Past comprises 120 acres of outstanding natural beauty offering woodlands and wetlands, a magnificent 35-acre lake and the gorgeous River Alyn winding through it, as well as wonderful walks and spacious fields. Visitors can journey back 2,000 years and discover the recreated Roman Fort Build, an ongoing project in experimental archaeology and the only one of its kind in the UK.