“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.
This exciting canoeing expedition in southern France takes place in the dramatic Ardèche Gorge,a place of awe-inspiring natural beauty, largely untouched since prehistoric times.
Join Ray Mears, along with expert local instructors Blue and Caroline, from Adventure Ardèche to learn to navigate the river, read the water, experience the adrenaline of Whitewater canoeing and enjoy a final descent of the gorge.
We love Winter camping and the challenges that can bring, Spring, on the other hand, is an open invitation to all, a call to step outside and embrace nature at its most vibrant! In this blog article, Ray and the Woodlore team want to bridge the gap to summer camping and help you get outside and enjoy the great outdoors for there is an electricity and anticipation in the air that is truly exciting to be part of!
With short days and sometimes less-than-favourable weather, the winter season is often the time when many choose to stay indoors, hanging up their gear until spring returns and the world ventures outdoors once again.
As our highly anticipated Autumn fungi forager course approaches, we would like to introduce Neville Kilkenny, who will expertly unveil this extraordinary fifth kingdom to you.
Fungi became a passion which has led to a fascinating career working with these enigmatic and complex organisms.Continue reading →
“As Autumn matures, we can no longer ignore the Earth’s seasonal tilt away from the sun, Winter is coming. For many this calls a halt to outdoor adventure, tents are stowed in cupboards adventures shorten and people stay close to the home and the hearth. But not for me, I love winter, I welcome the seasons arrival. Native American friends once told me that Winter is the season of wisdom. For over thirty years now I have been exploring that concept, embracing the winter by racing North to the Arctic to experience the coldest most challenging grip of the season in northern Lapland. There the nights are long, and the sky is malevolent, palpably blotting up my vital life warmth into the quiet eternity of space. So why do I love extreme winter?
The Ray Mears & Woodlore Bushcraft Blog 