Reviews

We Feel reviews help others make informed decisions on our courses and products, please take a read of the genuine reviews of our clients below, most of which were left as a google review. Many thanks. Phil

Mat Barnsley Polaris Outdoors 2023 

Phil Brooke is probably one of the best Bushcraft and survival experts you will find on the planet. His courses are rammed with knowledge and this one was right up there. We did Phil's Deer Stalking Woodland Hunter Course, where he taught us how to shoot track and move correctly in the woods to get close to the animals. If you want a course that will set you up for the DSC1 and do it in a way where tweed and toffs dont come into it then this is for you. In fact, Phil's methods of hunting truly take you back to the traditional way of preserving and respecting nature the way it was really done before it became some what elitist. I loved every second of this course and Phil's set up and grounds are really amazing. Cant wait to do more. 

John Baker 2023

If you're in the market for a magnificent bow then you're in the right place. Phil crafted this beauty for me and after only having shot a handful of times with it and the matched arrows he also made I can happily say its the best bow I've ever had the pleasure of shooting with.
Both the bow and arrows are beautiful to look at but also very effective.
When I need more arrows in the future I will definitely come back for more. Should I ever need a new bow I will come back to Phil.

A master of his craft! 

Mark Graves 2023

This course is a great Introduction to Bushcraft. You will of course learn skills such as fire lighting, knife sharpening, camp craft and organisation as well as making many other useful tool from the natural materials around you. The list goes on but I think most importantly you will also learn how to source those materials, how taking material from the first place you find could potentially cause damage to the woodland environment and habitat. However, you will also learn how to recognise the more suitable timber that is often close by.

It’s hard to review a course like this without also commenting on the people running it (Sorry Phil), as acquiring such a deep level of experience and understanding often takes a very different set of skills than those needed to be able to effectively pass that wisdom onto others.

Phil has amassed a great deal of Bushcraft knowledge, as well as many other skills related to it. It doesn’t take long to appreciate that this has been guided by a real passion for nature and a desire to know how ecological systems work. He inspires an understanding of how we could and should live and work within that natural environment, whilst supporting it rather fighting against it. Upon meeting Phil he immediately comes across as friendly and approachable, his teaching is well structured, planned and organised but delivered with a comfortable, informal, light hearted and often humorous style. Scott does a great job keeping everyone well fed and supporting with practical guidance, and alongside Phil makes everyone feel welcome and part of what is a well set-up, friendly and organised camp.

The course I was on had a full range of people both in terms of age and experience. By the end of the course whether they had started with little previous knowledge or had spent most of their life wild camping, everyone was talking about how much they had learned. Most, if not all, were talking about which course they wanted to do next and for some this was not their first course. 

Whatever your current experience I would highly recommend any course that was run by Phil Brooke, suffice to say that I had booked my next course within 24 hours of getting home from the Spirit of Bushcraft.

Jason Chatwin 2023

I recently completed the traditional bow making workshop and found it immensely rewarding. All of us came away with lovely bows and the feeling of shooting something you'd made over the previous three days was quite special. Phil's knowledge of not just bowmaking but bushcraft and nature made for some fascinating conversations around the fire. The woodland venue was also idyllic. Thanks again Jason. 

James Richardson 2023

"I have just completed the three-day Deer Stalking - Woodland Hunter course and want to thank you, Phil, for a one-in-a-kind weekend! You were very welcoming and easy to be around and your passion for all you do is really inspiring. I felt your knowledge was extensive but not overwhelming and your hands-on, practical approach to learning was really immersive. You led Jim and I through expert (and patient!) tuition on firearms safety, range shooting and several fully-focused stalks. And when we eventually took the life of that roe buck it felt like the furthest thing from 'blood sport'. The gralloching and butchery afterwards just affirmed the mindful and conscientious approach you take to deer management in your woodlands. As I drove home at the end of it all, with a bag of venison, I felt I had journeyed through an invaluable lesson in accountability as a meat-eater. It's good to know you're out there doing what you do!"

James Tiernan 2023

"The Deer Stalking Course was an incredibly experience that surpassed all my expectations. Phil's knowledge, experience and connection with the landscape and nature was clear from the start, and his supportive teaching style worked really well with the hands-on approach of the course. It was a perfect introduction to deer stalking, providing direct experience with all aspects of stalking, but more than that it povided a unique connection with nature in an incredible setting. Thanks!"

Francis Gimblett  2023

I attended the deer butchery course in December and found it thoroughly fascinating. The way it was delivered was fun, practical and very instructive. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interesting in knowing where their food comes from and especially this rare and healthy meat. I will be eating venison more often, content knowing that it's the healthiest meat available, from animals that have led a natural existence. Great Job Phil and the team!

Fraser Walsh-Beney 2022

I Just wanted to contact you to say thank you so much for the Bushcraft weekend. “ I Can thoroughly recommend the Spirit Of Bushcraft workshop with Phil. I have a passion for the outdoors but very little understanding of what is useful around us in nature. This course has Opened my eyes to so much, the learning environment was very relaxed and fun. Phil and Scotty were very approachable and were happy to go over the same detail (multiple times for my knot work). I Have taken so much away from the weekend, most importantly it has shown me that there is some much to learn and skills to practice. The woodland location is beautiful and diverse, camp set up has been done really well and waking up in the forest each morning is a treat”

Lucy Holmes 2022

I thoroughly loved the Dendrophile workshop weekend. The workshop was held at one of the most unspoilt and vibrant pieces of woodland I have been to in a long time. Being introduced to such a wide variety of trees and plants was a real pleasure under the expert and friendly tuition of Phil and Scott. I loved finding out about the variety of uses of plants that, up until now, I would have walked past without thinking about. The course was accessible, friendly and thoughtfully designed leaving me with a lot of plans for projects to do. I would recommend the course to anyone who would like to build on/ up their knowledge of plants and trees- to do so whilst having the opportunity to stay in the woodland was truly magic. Thank you!

Nick betts 2022

Hi Phil,

Just to say the bow is absolutely beautiful, it is a work of art. I've made a few bows so I know enough to know; 1) how little I know; and 2) to genuinely appreciate your craftsmanship! Nick

Octavius Longcroftweaton 2022

Hi Phil

Just received my order this morning and am delighted with it, The bow draws so smoothly and the arrow flight is really fast. The modkins create a really balanced arrow. I have just been out this morning for my second shoot with the self yew bow that you've so kindly made for me. I had to contact you once again to say thanks. The bow shoots so amazingly straight and true at all distances that I can consistently group my arrows together and accurately gauge where they with go, something that I have found difficult to do with other make longbows.
Thanks you so much.
Octavius

 Robbie Menzies 2022

I would like to give a huge thank you to Phil and Scott for an absolutely amazing course!

Richard Stedham 2022

Thank you for a great longbow making course, I really enjoyed it and it wouldn't have been the same without your obvious dedication, knowledge, passion and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure we all left with a bow we could be proud of. Please pass on my thanks to Nick and Scott as well, you all make a great team. I will look at your other courses, hope you do well and you develop your woodland as you want to and deserve to. Thanks again! 

Josh Smith 2021

What a delightful rabbit hole to go down! The idea of being able to make a set of arrows from a square plank of wood has always appealed to me but while there’s heaps of information/courses on the interwebs about bow making there’s nothing that I’ve found about the age old science and art of arrow making… until now! This is a truly exceptional course, and no doubt due to Phil’s deep knowledge of both the historic backdrop of the craft and his years of experience in working with the materials. Thanks to his patient instruction, I am mega pleased with the arrows I’ve made. Moreover, I now have the skills and knowledge to recreate them on my own as our ancestors did, both medieval and pre-historic. Epic course, of which I can highly recommend! 

Mark Pearson 2021

Hi Phil, Thank you for a really brilliant course, Phil is very knowledgeable and passionate about bow making and a top rate instructor. Learning the traditional way of make a long bow was fascinating and I definitely plan to return to do further courses. A big thank you to Phil and his team, a really enjoyable long weekend

Alan Stainsby 2021 

Phil, I am writing to congratulate you and your team for giving me an outstanding experience this weekend at the longbow course.Your commitment and professionalism are outstanding. I cannot believe how much I have learned and I enjoyed the curry and chilli evening meals. It is a good job that there was such light traffic on the A272 as I drove home because my mind was full of the information I had absorbed and I kept reflecting on each aspect throughout the journey.

Tim Baxter 2021 

Hi guys. Wanted to leave a review about the bow course. The course structure and execution of was bang on! Thoroughly enjoyed it! Phil was very professional, patient and his attention to detail was second to none. Not to mention his plethora of knowledge reference anything to do with flora and fauna. He is also a absolute legend and it was a absolute pleasure to be there and be advised and guided through the process by him. All in all an awesome weekend, well worth it and a big eye opener. Massive thanks.

James Tiernan 2021

Glenn White 2021 

Hi Phil,
The bow and arrows arrived safely.  It is beautiful Phil, very impressive work and it shoots so smoothly and quiet, a pleasure to shoot. Ive shot 36 arrows at 15 yards so far and grouping very nicely and much better than I anticipated. I’m very happy with it! Thank you for the extra set of medieval arrows. If I am successful in harvesting a whitetail this season I will send photos.
Thanks again,
Glenn

Will Sirett 2021

I thought it might be fun to introduce my kids to longbow archery and imperss upon them their English heritage of which they can be proud. I put an order in with Phil Brooke Longbows since a local friend had a bow and had done a course with Phil Brooke . Phil largely helped determine what I needed and I ordered 3 bows; big one for me, smaller one for my Son (9) and smallest for my Daughter (7). The cost was higher than I had in mind but then we are talking about handmade longbows made by a man who knows what he is doing in the heart of Sussex and came highly recommended. These are likely to be fairly special. Well, I underestimated this. Just handing the bow to any red-bloodied human results in enthusiasm. The heft, the craft, the detail, the finish; it all sings of quality items. No one can resist stretching out their arm and looking down to the bow.  I had initials placed on the bows and I won't be surprised to find these on my wall for decades to come. They are art. I've become very dull on the topic of the English history of longbow archery and I've almost got my St Crispin's Day speech down to heart. The children loved hearing the stories of English perseverance, daring and victory and they spent hours in the sunshine popping arrows off proper longbows at least in the direction of and very occasionally into the target. It was massive fun. I'd order it again just for that day. These things are going to last years and I only hope I can develop some skill before my kids realise that Dad talks a good game but is perhaps less dangerous than he should be. Truth is, the kid's bows are a little heavy in the draw for them today (they will grow into them, get stronger and more skilled) and I'm already eying a warbow to thump a few big ones down field. This is huge fun and thanks Phil for your passion and craftsmanship.  

Joe Scanlan 2021

"The Longbow making course is amazing. Phil is a great instructor with huge amounts of knowledge, came away with a great first time longbow and will definitely be going back on other courses." 

Paul Store 2020

Omg Phil, It arrived this morning and it is absolutely beautiful!
I'm so speachless over it, all I can say to you is thank you! I will look after it and let you know how I get on with it.
Do you ever make target arrows?

Best wishes,

Paul

Rob Marr 2020

Hi Phil

Thank you! I managed to get out today and shoot my new longbow for the first time.. and what a pleasure it was! So just want to say thank you very much for making me such a beautiful bow. It looks absolutely fantastic and feels great to shoot. I also like that you put an arrow pass on both sides. My right handed shooting buddies might be lucky enough to get a go..

Once again , thanks so much!

All the best

Rob.

Toby Dower Longbow making workshop 2020 

Below is the review but I also want to say thank you on a personal level too. It was a really amazing experience, the whole setup was awesome. If any arrow workshops come up then I’m there. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any real passion in the UK so for that I am supremely grateful.

Thanks for a  epic workshop! A huge thank you to Phil Brooke and his team for their incredible guidance during the 3 day Longbow making workshop. I am not confident in woodcraft, I asked countless questions, pestered him and his team constantly and was initially very cautious of my tools in case I damage my bow in the making process. But Phil's knowledge and skill was only surpassed by his ability to share both so simply and effectively, having the opportunity to learn from someone with so much passion and devotion to the art was an honour, and an incredible insight into the life of a bowyer. On top of that he's a great laugh and has some awesome life experiences and stories. Definitely one of the best workshops I've ever attended, a lot of hard work involved using traditional techniques but the result is amazing. I have an Ash Longbow made with my own 2 hands, her name is Lucy. 

Joe Garnett Traditional bow Making level 4 - 2020

Jack Warren 2020 Traditional bow making level 4 

Stuart Barrett 2020 Traditional bow making level 4 

Having made a longbow on the Bushcraft Leadership course a few years ago I thought I would be well prepared. However, be under no illusion this course was time consuming and hard work. At times I was frustrated, but the adage of ‘remove wood where the bow isn’t bending and leave it where it is’ eventually makes sense. Ultimately, the satisfaction of independently making bows from start to finish, bending to full compass is extremely gratifying. I can’t imagine any other provider doing a better job than Phil Brooke. His knowledge, craftsmanship and personal interest in the subject is exceptional, this said, he won’t be making the bows for you! 

Phillip Painting 2019 Longbow workshop

Dave Anderson 2019

A happy customer 🏹: "First real test this morning and hit 252 with 42 arrows 🏆 so well pleased. Very nice bow; loving it. Couple of people asked about it so passed on your details. How's the Dragon Bow coming?

Bill Eldridge-June 2019 - Longbow workshop

I wanted to record my thanks to both you and Joe, please pass on my thanks to him.

I do not think I could have wanted a more knowledgeable and supportive pair of trainers. Lesser mortals would have given up on me and my heavy weight stick. You didn't and I was able to go home with a functioning bow. Your sense of humour and optimism never flagged and you kept a diverse bunch of trainees with very different levels of skill and experience on track, amazing.

Thank you once again.

Gareth Owen-June 2019

I just wanted to say thank you so much for such an awesome few days! I wasn't sure what to expect but you exceeded anything I could have imagined.
Your course was interesting, insightful and seriously good fun. I am grinning even now thinking about firing the bow I made!
You and Joe are great at teaching and helping us all to succeed. But more than that you are both great people full of amazing facts and interesting stories. You especially, a real legend!
The venue was truly brilliant with all you need, in a lush green woodland.

David Pye 2018

The Bow arrived safely and I must say she's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship! Looks stunning and feels good in the hand, haven't had a chance to shoot her yet but hope too later in the week and she will definitely have a good outing at the ILAA championships at the end of June. Many thanks for a great job and when it's time for another bow I'll be back.

Graham Weller 2018

My Bow arrived safe and sound in a very sturdy black tube which will be handy for storage. The bow is a beautiful bit of craftmanship, the Ash has features from the tree that make it a very unique bow to look at, tough and shoots well. Im very pleased and love shooting my new Bow!    

Rosemary Thomas-Woodcraft June 2019

I have thoroughly cherished and been inspired by the experience of completing the Level 4 Applied Bushcraft with Phil Brooke of Woodcraft School. An extremely varied and informative course taking everything to the next level compared to week long bushcraft courses. A really great mix of practical experience backed up by solid theory and self led learning. I always enjoy the challenge of assessment which I feel pushes students to really embed the learning enabling them to study a subject area in depth. I have come out of the course having learnt so much, but even more special than that is having had my eyes opened even more to the wonderful world of natural living and bushcraft inspiring me to go forward and continue to learn even more. I would thoroughly recommend the course to those who have a drive to learn and the time to dedicate to enable you to embrace and get the most out of this course. I feel I have come away from the course with brand new skills; a deepening of knowledge in skills I already had explored; and a fantastic group of friends who I know will continue to support each other in the years to come.

Alex DeWitt-Woodcraft May 2019

This course shifted the way I see the world around me, putting me more in touch with my environment that I used to walk blindly past. It gave me tremendous confidence and experience to teach bushcraft myself, and also the curiosity to extend further and learn more about all the many subjects we covered, from ancestral skills to craftwork and wildlife tracking.

The team spirit and camaraderie that formed over the course was amazing and I learned something from every other student, who all have their own different life experiences to offer.

The syllabus is packed, keeping you busy at all times without feeling gruelling because everything is so interesting and the instruction is top notch. Each session builds on the skills already learned, giving ample opportunity for each student to practise and become self sufficient in the woodland. This goes way beyond the firesteels and knives that some bushcraft courses are focussed around and teaches you the 'why' behind the 'what'.

I was so sad to see the end of the course, I wish I could keep coming back every month! If you're curious enough about the course to visit this website, hesitate no longer and just book it!

Stephen Fletcher-July 2018 - Woodcraft School

The certificate in applied bushcraft builds on the foundation of the advanced award under the excellent mentoring of Phil Brooke

Bushcraft is a vast subject with many facets. This course provided me with the perfect environment to hone known skills and learn new ones. Phil is patient and will guide you in your learning, he will also push you to reach your potential. Taking place from October to June you will experience all seasons and be provided with a comprehensive outdoor experience.

Thank you to Phil, John and the other participants on the course for the guidance, teaching a friendship over those nine months."

Gavin Verebelyi 2017

The bow looks lovely great craftsmanship, I just wanted to let you know I have shot the bow today I absolutely love it and I am not finding it to heavy, its great thanks again.

Irish Davey 2017

I highly reccomend Phil and Chosen Paths, my Longbow is excellent, It openned my eyes to the wonderful world of Archery and our precious woodlands. What I love about my Bow is I know where it came from almost to the Trees location. Felled, split out and made all in Sussex. Thanks again, wonderfully crafted and shoots very well.

Antoney Whitten (Perth Austrailia) 2017

I abolutley love the Bow, (Holmegaaed Flat Bow) and arrows. The crafmanship is fantastic and as a carpenter i apprieciate it even more. Thanks again and I'll spread the word Down under!

Nick Goldsmith 2016

Phil is an excellent teacher with a raft of outdoor knowledge ranging from his qualifications in outdoor leadership, ethnobotany, Wildlife identification and tracking to making Excellent English longbows and Viking era shields using traditional methods. This experience coupled with being a former military man makes Phil the perfect instructor for the instructors Course. His infectious passion for the outdoor world and our native countryside is clear to be seen with a skill set to match. I write this having been taught first hand myself and in more recent times also working alongside him on the woodland Warrior Programme.

Scott Batty 2016

Phil Brooke is a truly excellent tutor of bushcraft and living history skills. He has a broad knowledge base and deep understanding of outdoor living skills, natural history and craft. But key to all of this is his ability to deliver this effectively by being very personable and somehow allowing people to progress at their own pace whilst simultaneously ensuring everyone gets to the end result.
I have had the pleasure of learning from Phil over some time now. Firstly in 2013 when he mentored me to my first ever successful bow drill and in 2016 on the instructors course when he was assessing my own teaching where i taught bow drill to a group (and nailed it!).
On top of his knowledge, personal attributes and experience, from a peace of mind perspective, Phil will also go out of his way to make sure people are safe and comfortable with how things are going.
For all of the above reasons, I would not hesitate in recommending Phil's tuition and look forward to future opportunities to learn from him.

John Doyle 2015  Bushcraft instructor's course

Phils technical knowledge is only rivalled by his ability to put information across simply and logically

A big man with a big heart - Phil's love for both his subject and his students underpins all his courses. He is someone in whom you can place your trust in the full knowledge that you will receive the very best in technical excellence and personal attention.

I recommend him and his company unreservedly to anyone wishing to embark on a journey into the natural world or seeking to further their skills - whether it be in bow making, Shield making, plant and tree lore, Animal tracks and sign or learning to become an instructor in this wonderfully fascinating field.

Jacob Williams 2015

I had the pleasure to be instructed by Phil during a level 4 instructor's course and I can honestly say that I enjoyed every moment of it. Phil's Viking/mountain man appearance hides a thoughtful and compassionate man who possesses a deep knowledge of his subject, coupled with a friendly and effective teaching style. I was particularly impressed with his ability to utilise differing teaching styles interchangeably to meet the needs of individual students within the group. I often struggle in teaching environments due to dyslexia but Phil always found a way to reach me without singling me out or interrupting the flow of the lesson for other students.

In ten weeks of instruction Phil demonstrated his knowledge and dedication time and time again and on the extremely rare occasions where he didn't know something he wasn't afraid to say so and this, as much as anything else shows the quality of his knowledge and character. As well as being an excellent educator Phil is also a consummate professional who exemplifies the qualities and attributes one would want to see in an instructor who will be guiding students through demanding long and short term programmes.