About Hereford Woodcraft Academy

At Hereford Woodcraft Academy, we teach practical carpentry skills through hands-on courses and workshops. Our approach is shaped by experience, guided by tradition, and rooted in the natural character of Herefordshire.

Our work is about learning by doing. From full-day workshops to longer evening courses, we help people build real skills, real confidence, and real projects they can take home.

Our Mission

To teach practical, sustainable carpentry skills in a supportive, well-equipped workshop environment, preserving traditional carpentry techniques while making them accessible to modern learners.

We believe learning should be hands-on, structured, and confidence-building. Every course is designed to help people understand materials, tools, and processes properly, while developing respect for wood and the craft of working with it.

Paul

Paul is the founder and lead tutor of the academy, with a lifetime of experience working with wood and passing on traditional carpentry skills.

Having worked as a carpenter from a young age, Paul brings deep practical knowledge of carpentry, and a belief in learning through making. His teaching style is calm, supportive, and focused on helping people build competence and confidence in the workshop.

Paul is passionate about preserving traditional craft skills and creating an environment where people of all backgrounds can experience the satisfaction of working with wood and producing something they are proud of.

Our Values as Makers and Teachers

Learning Through Making

We believe the best way to learn is by doing. Our teaching is hands-on and practical, built around real projects that develop confidence, capability, and skills that last beyond the workshop.

Respect for Craft

We value traditional woodcraft and the knowledge carried through generations of makers. Our approach combines time-tested techniques with clear instruction, thoughtful use of tools, and modern safety standards.

A Supportive Place to Learn

We believe people learn best when they feel welcome and supported. Our workshops are calm, inclusive spaces where adults of all experience levels can take their time, ask questions, and enjoy the process of learning.

Taking Time to Do Things Well

We value patience, care, and attention to detail. Our teaching encourages people to slow down, focus on the process, and take pride in doing things properly, building skills and confidence through thoughtful, unhurried making.

"I took part in a carpentry workshop at Hereford Woodcraft Academy last weekend and it was such a lovely surprise! I'm not crafty at all, but by the end I had made my own phone stand with a little mirror, proof of what you can achieve with a bit of patience and the right guidance.

There's something really therapeutic about working with your hands, and Paul made the whole experience so encouraging. I'd highly recommend this as a group activity; whether with friends, team building or a family day. It brings people together, builds confidence, and leaves you with something you're genuinely proud of. Thank you, Paul!"

"Under Paul's patient and expert guidance, we each created a beautiful oak phone holder. There was something deeply satisfying about working with our hands and transforming a simple piece of oak into something both useful and beautiful.

Paul is an exceptional teacher. His passion for woodworking and respect for the craft shone throughout the session.

What surprised me most was how much I learned, not just about woodworking but about the wood itself. Paul gave me a greater appreciation for trees, natural materials and the skills and care that go into handcrafted objects. In a world filled with mass-produced products, it was refreshing to create something with my own hands."

"Paul's calm, patient teaching style created an environment where everyone felt comfortable trying something completely new. His experise and passion for woodworking helped us develop not only practical skills but also a deeper appreciation for wood, trees, craftsmanshop and the human creativity in making something by hand.

If you're looking for an experience that combines learning, creativity, connection and a renewed appreciation for handmade things, Hereford Woodcraft Academy is well worth exploring. I would strongly recommend this workshop for organisations, leadership teams, retreat groups, and anyone looking for a meaningful team-building experience that goes beyond the usual activities. It is a welcome and inspiring introduction to the craft."

"As part of a Women of the World retreat, a group of us recently participated in a carpentry workshop led by master carpenter Paul Rees. It proved to be one of the highlights of our retreat experience. While we each left with a beautiful piece to take home, the real value of the experience went far beyond our finished products.

The workshop provided a unique opportunity for connection and collaboration. As a group of women from different backgrounds and experiences, we found ourselves encouraging one another, sharing laughs, learning side by side, and building stronger relationships through a shared challenge. It was a natural and highly effective team-building activity."