Master Fire.
Master the Wild.
Fire lighting is the most fundamental bushcraft skill there is. At our Kent woodland, you will learn to build a fire from scratch using ferro rods, charcloth and natural tinders, then sustain it through proper wood selection and preparation. No lighters, no cheats, just real skill.
📍 Cudham Shaws Outdoor Centre, Lower Site, Sevenoaks BR6 7LH
What Is Fire Lighting?
Fire lighting is the cornerstone of bushcraft. Without fire, there is no warmth, no cooked food, no morale and no signal for rescue. At our Kent woodland site, we teach you the full progression: from understanding how fire actually works, to selecting the right tinder, kindling and fuel wood from the forest floor.
You will start with modern fire-starting tools like ferro rods and strikes, then progress to more traditional methods. We cover charcloth-making, natural tinder identification, and the critical skill of wood preparation - because a fire built with poor wood preparation will fail, no matter how good your spark is.
Why Learn Fire Lighting in Kent?
Our Kent woodland at Cudham Shaws provides the perfect environment to learn fire lighting. The mixed broadleaf woodland offers a huge variety of natural tinders, kindling and fuel woods, giving you real-world experience with the materials you would actually find in the wild.
Being close to London and the South East makes our Kent fire lighting sessions accessible for day trips and weekend experiences. Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to refine your existing skills, our experienced instructors will guide you through every step at a pace that suits you.
Skills You Will Take Home
How to use a ferro rod effectively in all weather conditions
Making and using charcloth from natural materials
Identifying and gathering natural tinders from the woodland
Wood selection, preparation and fire-laying techniques
Building and sustaining a fire for cooking and warmth
Safe fire management and full extinguishing practice
Ready to Try Fire Lighting & Wood Prep?
Book your spot at our next Kent event. No experience needed - just bring yourself and a sense of adventure.
Book NowOutdoor Team Building in Kent
Fire Lighting & Wood Prep is not just a standalone skill - it is one of the most effective team building activities we run at our Kent woodland. When a group works together to achieve a shared outdoor goal, barriers come down fast. People who have never met are suddenly communicating, problem-solving and supporting each other in ways that simply do not happen in an office or conference room.
The real magic happens when you combine activities. Imagine your team mastering fire lighting in the morning, building shelters after lunch, then gathering around a campfire to cook dinner together. That is a full day of shared achievement that bonds a group like nothing else. We can build a bespoke programme that weaves multiple activities into one epic woodland experience tailored to your team, your goals and your budget.
Shared Goals
Every activity gives your team a tangible objective to work toward together, creating natural collaboration and mutual support.
Real Roles
The woodland reveals leaders, communicators and problem-solvers. People step up in ways the office never reveals.
Genuine Bonds
There is no substitute for shared challenge. Your team leaves with real memories and real connection.
Popular combinations with fire lighting & wood prep:
Is This For You?
- ✓Complete beginners with no outdoor experience
- ✓Bushcraft enthusiasts wanting to refine their fire skills
- ✓Families looking for a hands-on outdoor adventure
- ✓Corporate teams seeking a practical team challenge
- ✓Campers and hikers who want real wilderness confidence
- ✓Anyone who has ever wanted to light a fire without a lighter
Know What You Are Getting
This Is NOT...
- A classroom theory session
- Using lighters or matches
- A demonstration you just watch
- Only for experienced outdoorspeople
- A survival course that scares you
- A quick five-minute activity
THIS IS...
- Hands-on practice with real tools
- Learning to build fire from spark to flame
- Suitable for complete beginners
- Led by experienced bushcraft instructors
- Set in a beautiful Kent woodland
- A genuinely useful life skill
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Real Reviews
A wonderful day getting back to nature, having fun and learning new skills. I brought my 9 year old and even though she was the only child the whole group was so welcoming to her and we both had a blast! We'll definitely go again.
What a day! I can't recommend this event enough. We had 6h of back to back activities and every single one was exemplary. James and his team are so down to earth, knowledgeable and fun. My abs hurt from laughing for 6h straight! I honestly cannot recommend this enough, incredible value and a day I will remember forever! Do yourself a favour and book!!!
Awesome atmosphere, great escape from day to day challenges. Instructors are well educated in many fields of life, literally knowledgeable about everything you could possibly think of asking. Most important it's great fun and you really feel like a member of great family, couldn't recommend that more to everyone who is looking to spark their life with new adventures. Best of all you can bring your kids with you as well, what a great opportunity for me and my son to spend a great quality time together! I look forward to next event!
From Just £40 Per Person
All equipment, instruction and woodland access included. Transparent pricing, no hidden costs.
See All EventsNo Hidden Costs
Transparent, honest pricing. Fire Lighting & Wood Prep is included in all our public events. For private or corporate bookings, request a custom quote.
- Full day of activities
- Expert bushcraft instructors
- All equipment provided
- No experience needed
- Small group sizes
- Two full days of activities
- Overnight camping included
- Evening campfire experience
- Expert bushcraft instructors
- All equipment provided
- No experience needed
Fire Lighting & Wood Prep FAQs
See What Other Activities We Do
Shelter Building
Construct tarp, debris and weather-proof shelters using natural materials from the woodland floor.
Pioneering
Learn knots, lashings and rope work to construct tripods, towers and team structures under pressure.
Archery
Traditional target archery in the woodland setting. Full beginner instruction included - no experience needed.
Archery Tag
High-energy team combat using foam-tipped arrows. The perfect blend of dodgeball and archery.
Airsoft
Team-based tactical missions in the natural woodland terrain. Strategy, communication and teamwork under fire.
Siege Building
Design, build and battle with siege engines and catapults. Engineering under pressure, teamwork in action.
Campfire Experience
Cook over an open fire, share stories and experience real community. The heart of every woodland gathering.
Large-Scale Pioneering
Rope bridges, scaling towers and full pioneering structures built by the whole group. Epic engineering challenges.
Prepping
Practical preparedness skills: food storage, water sourcing, emergency planning and self-sufficiency in the wild.
Zipline Building
Design, rig and ride your own zipline. A thrilling blend of engineering, teamwork and pure adrenaline.
Team Building
Purpose-designed woodland challenges that reveal leadership, build trust and create genuine team bonds.
Command Tasks
Classic leadership and problem-solving scenarios. Work under time pressure with limited resources and clear goals.
Tool Skills & Safety
Safe use of axes, saws, knives and woodland tools. Build confidence and competence with hands-on instruction.
First Aid
Practical first aid in an outdoor context. Learn to respond calmly and effectively in remote environments.
Poetry & Creative Writing
Find your voice in the woods. Guided creative writing and poetry sessions inspired by the natural environment.
Empowerment Days
Structured programmes designed to build confidence, resilience and self-belief through outdoor challenge.
Wellness Days
Mindfulness, breathwork and nature connection woven into a restorative woodland day experience.