I was recently lucky enough to catch Ray between one adventure and another and took the chance to ask a few questions about something deceptively simple: the compass case. What followed was a wide-ranging conversation, moving from craftsmanship and materials to navigation, reliability, and the quiet confidence that comes from understanding the land.
Here at Woodlore, we’re busy preparing to welcome everyone who has chosen to join us on a course this year. From the woods to the classroom, there’s a quiet sense of anticipation as we get ready to share skills, stories, and time outdoors with you.
“As the heat of the day finally loosens its grip, I gaze out across the golden grasslands and the deep green trees that define Namibia’s wild heart.”
So begins John’s reflection after returning from the Woodlore Tracking Safari in Namibia with Ray Mears in November 2025 and in those first few words, you can already feel it. The stillness. The space. The scale.
“The setting sun melts into amber, crimson and burnt orange. Thunderheads gather — dark, towering, magnificent, releasing shimmering columns of rain into the distant plains. The “little rains” arrive like a quiet blessing after the long, unforgiving summer. The land seems to exhale, grateful for the cool relief after the long, unforgiving summer.”
In his remarkable new book, The Pine Marten: The Secret Life of Martes martes, published by Pelagic Publishing, wildlife author Dan Bagur shares the story of a five-year field study dedicated to one of Britain and Ireland’s most elusive mammals.
We spoke to Dan about obsession, fieldcraft, conservation, and what pine martens can teach us about reconnecting with the wild.
Whether you’re new to bushcraft or a seasoned hand, one thing that remains essential, is your clothing and equipment. A good bushcraft outfit earns its keep. Knives, tools, tarps, racksacks, clothing, and shelters all carry the marks of time spent outdoors, but if they’re properly cared for, they will be ready when the next season begins.
Now is the ideal time to repair, maintain, and reset your gear, rather than discovering problems once you’re already back in the woods. The Woodlore team has put together a practical guide to help you bring your clothing and equipment back into dependable working order. After all, learning bushcraft isn’t just about using your kit, but knowing how to care for and repair it too.
Dear friends, customers, and fellow explorers, as we reach the close of another remarkable year, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks for your support, enthusiasm, and curiosity about the natural world. Whether you joined us on a course, equipped yourself for new adventures, or simply followed our journey from afar, your connection to Woodlore, the school I founded all those years ago, remains at the heart of everything we do.
Some landscapes don’t ask for your attention, they claim it. The Finnish winter is one of them.
Step inside the Arctic Circle with Ray Mears and Woodlore, and you’ll find yourself in a world where the cold is honest, the forest is ancient, and the sky feels close enough to touch. This is Sami country: a place shaped by reindeer trails, deep snow, and the quiet determination of those who travel through it. The journey is tough, beautiful, and deeply grounding. Equal parts training and transformation.
Christmas is officially creeping closer, the lights are twinkling, the mince pies are calling, and the gift list… well, it isn’t getting any shorter. But don’t worry, Woodlore has your back.
To make sure your parcel arrives in time for Christmas, please place your order by the appropriate date below, as recommended by Royal Mail:
As an extra helping hand, we are pleased to say that all UK orders to the value of £40.00 and above (not including postage costs) placed after 2:00 PM on Friday 19th December until we close at midday on Tuesday 23rd December will be dispatched via a Next Working Day Delivery service, to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. Any orders placed after midday on Tuesday 23rd December will not be dispatched until the offices reopen in January.
It is with deep sadness that Woodlore shares the news of the untimely passing of Lars Fält:
I was very upset to learn of the passing of Lars Fält, there is something unsettling about it, survival instructors aren’t supposed to die. Especially Lars who always emanated invincibility. But as they say only the rocks live forever.
The Ray Mears & Woodlore Bushcraft Blog 