About Heartwood

I started heartwood at the beginning of 2023, teaching green woodworking at various venues such as Campwell Woods and Bath City Farm. In 2025 we have a cosy woodland camp on the outskirts of Bath to run our bushcraft workshops from, as well as running wildcamping courses in Dartmoor national park.

Heartwood’s aim is to help people connect with the natural world, with each other and to their own human nature. Despite the luxuries of the modern world, many feel our current culture and lifestyle can be dull, superficial and alienating. We believe a return to living in a more natural way, connected to the processes and rhythms of our ecosystem, especially when doing it with others in a communal setting, is a great antidote to many of the problems modern life throws at us.

Through heartwood we plan to share knowledge, skills and experiences which foster this connection.

Cheezy grins on a spatula carving workshop at Campwell Woods in 2023
Drinking from a stream somewhere in Yosemite national Park, California. 2022

About Joe

I began to develop a love for nature and the outdoors at a young age. Experiences at Cubs and Scouts, camping in Devon with my parents, and making dens in the local woods all played a part in inspiring me to spend time learning about the natural world.

I have worked outdoors all my adult life. As an outdoor play leader at Swainswick Explorers, a farm hand and cider-juicer at Dick Willows Farm, and the Livestock Coordinator (and general dogs-body) at Bath City Farm. I now, alongside Heartwood, run an ecological gardening business based in Bristol. I have also volunteered as a Scout leader for many years and done practical conservation work with the National trust.

I have been practising bushcraft, survival skills and woodworking since my early teenage years, attending multiple courses and workshops, as well as spending many hours researching, learning and practising these skills myself.

I have a real passion for people. I love getting to know people, of all ages and backgrounds. I love to share knowledge and explore things with others. It is a real privilege being able to meet so many people and facilitate their enjoyment of the natural world.

Aside from outdoor pursuits I have a passion for Martial arts, fitness and movement, as well as music and art.

I hold a 3 day Outdoor First Aid certificate, and am currently working towards a NCFE accredited Level 4 Advanced Bushcraft qualification.