As autumn arrives and the evenings draw in, it can be tempting to retreat indoors. But November can also be one of the most atmospheric times of year to experience the woods. This November, Wildeye Adventures and Down in the Woods are inviting adults to swap everyday routines for 26 hours in a beautiful private woodland in Dorking, Surrey, learning practical bushcraft and survival skills, sharing food around the campfire and spending a night beneath the trees.
Taking place from 10am Saturday 7 November to 12pm Sunday 8 November 2026, the Overnight Bushcraft & Survival Course is designed for adults aged 18+ and no previous bushcraft or camping experience is necessary.
More Than Just Survival Skills
Bushcraft isn’t simply about learning how to survive an emergency. It’s about becoming more comfortable and confident outdoors and understanding how to work with the natural environment around us. Over the weekend, participants will get hands-on with a range of skills, including bushcraft knife work, fire-lighting techniques, wood craft, creating water filters, making survival bread and identifying useful trees, plants and fungi.
The emphasis is on learning by doing in a relaxed and supportive environment. There is also something increasingly valuable about spending an extended period outdoors, away from screens, traffic and the constant distractions of everyday life. Instead of checking a phone, you’re figuring out how to light a fire. Instead of switching on a tap, you’re learning how water can be filtered in the wild. And as darkness falls, your evening is spent around a campfire rather than in front of a television.
An Evening Around the Campfire
One of the highlights of the experience comes on Saturday evening. The group will gather around a main communal campfire and, with instructor support, prepare a warming vegetable stew together, along with practising traditional campfire and survival cooking skills.
It’s a chance to slow down, share stories, eat together and experience the woodland as daylight disappears. Afterwards, participants settle into their own camps for the night before waking among the trees for another morning of bushcraft.
Guests can bring their own tent and sleeping bag or, for those wanting an even more immersive experience, hammock and tarp sets can be hired for £20.
Autumn in the Woods
The course takes place in a large private woodland in Dorking, complete with a lake and a basic woodland eco toilet. November might not offer the warmth of summer camping, but that’s part of its appeal. Crisp
air, autumn leaves, an early sunset and the warmth of a campfire create a very different woodland experience. Participants simply need to arrive prepared for the season, and full course information and a
recommended kit list are provided before the weekend.
The course is self-catered apart from the communal Saturday evening meal, so guests should bring a packed lunch for Saturday, breakfast for Sunday and any additional snacks and drinks they would like.
Personal campfires are not permitted within this particular woodland, helping to protect the site. Instead, the group will maintain one main communal campfire and participants can bring their own camping stove for personal food and hot drinks.
Could You Spend a Night in the Woods?
You don’t need to consider yourself an adventurer or survival expert to take part. The weekend is an opportunity to try something different, challenge yourself, learn genuinely useful outdoor skills and reconnect with nature. Whether you come alone or with a friend or partner, you’ll be learning alongside others who have chosen to step outside their everyday lives for a weekend and experience something a
little wilder.
Overnight Bushcraft & Survival Course
Dates: 7–8 November 2026
Times: Saturday 10am – Sunday 12pm
Location: Private woodland, Dorking, Surrey
Price: £95 per adult
Age: 18+
Optional hammock & tarp hire: £20
Saturday evening communal meal: Included
Spaces are limited and early booking is recommended.
The course is run by Wildeye Adventures, in association with Down in the Woods.
For further information and booking details, click here.
For Booking & Payment Details please email [email protected]
Find out more about Adult Only Survival Courses with Wildeye Adventures at www.wildeyeadventures.com/survival-courses-adults
