The Hedgerow Retreat at The Woven Briar | 15 to 17 October 2026

Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th October 2026

Join me for a 3 day wool retreat celebrating plants from the West Somerset landscape. 

The Retreat takes place at my rural wool workshop located on the outskirts of the Exmoor town of Wiveliscombe.

Over 3 days learners of all levels will join to discover the deep, timeless connection between wool, plants, and the land. 

Together we will explore ethnobotanical uses for plants from medicine making, ink making and wool dyeing, with a touch of folklore and local heritage mixed in.

This course will help you to create a deep connection to the plants and fibres that inspire your creativity. My hands-on approach invites you to look at the landscape through inquisitive eyes, learning how to take colour, medicine and fibre from the landscape around you.

You'll discover the healing properties of plants, foraging from local hedgerows to create natural dyes and medicines that bring both color and wellness to your work. 

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, this Retreat is a welcoming space where creativity, sustainability, and community flourish. 

Bec, what a wonderful few days, honestly I absolutely loved it. I feel rejuvenated in body, mind and spirit! The down side being I now have to fit a spinning wheel and loom in amongst my other crafts.

Anna, Wool Week 2025

Bec is an artisan of her craft - and her sheep are her loyal students. I don’t think I knew what quality sheep fleece was supposed to feel like until I started purchasing her fleece subscription boxes. Now as a spinning teacher, when I’m asked where to get good quality fleece and spinning supplies, The Woven Briar is top of the list. I’m taken back to times where the knowledge of raising sheep for fleece was as well understood as this flock and their wonderful shepherd.

Alexandra Juliette

About Bec Briar

With a passion for wool crafting, sustainable living, and the healing power of nature, I have dedicated myself to sharing craft and plant knowledge as a way to create connection with landscape.

My friendly flock, the HoneyWoods Flock, reside with their lambs just across the road from the workshop, their beautiful rare breed fleeces forming the foundation of my craft.

Each sheep is blade shorn in early spring, cared for with attention to their well-being, and their wool is handled with great respect throughout the entire process.

Drawing on years of experience in spinning, dyeing, and weaving, as well as a deep connection to the plants that surround me, I bring a holistic approach to every aspect of my work.

I hold certificates in advanced bushcraft, wild medicine and first aid, I have over 15 years’ experience teaching crafts and plant knowledge, I hold level 3 qualifications in both Forest School and Ethnobotany and I am passionate about the ways mental health, nature and crafting come together.

Through The Woven Briar, I invite others to discover their own creative path, deepen their connection to the earth, and embrace a slower, more mindful way of living.

The Course

Arrival from 6pm Wednesday 14th for those staying over.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday:

Natural Ink Making

Medicine Making

Plant Walks with Harvesting

Tree and Plant Identification

Wool Dyeing

Band Weaving with Plant Dyed Yarn

We will finish by 3pm on Saturday so that there is time for you to take your tent down if you are staying over. 

What is included

All tea and coffee, biscuits, hot water (please bring a packed lunch).

All materials and equipment hire for the sessions. You may also wish to purchase additional materials to continue practicing in between sessions or evenings.

All tuition.

Accomodation and Camping

On site:

There is a large and beautiful field with young trees and a river, where you are welcome to pitch your tent. There is also an orchard near the car park if you do not wish to walk so far. The cost is £20 per night per person, which I pass on to my landlords at the workshop.

There is also hard standing for campervans beside the field and near the workshop. £20 per night per person.

Camping prices include outside flushing toilet, cold tap, and access to the barn 24 hours with kettle, tea and coffee and electricity points for charging phones and a small fridge, and an electric hob for cooking. 

Please note no ground fires are allowed in the camping field and orchard.

Off site:

There are many B&B options in the local area, including in Ford, Wiveliscombe, and further afield. There are also options for camping and glamping locally.

Wiveliscombe has The White Hart and The Black Bear Inn with bed and breakfast options.

Local Food

Wiveliscombe boasts a number of local food and drink shops from Phoenix Kitchen, Wiveliscombe Whole Foods, an excellent local butcher, and two pubs serving a range of good pub food with booking advisable in the evenings.

Terms and Conditions:

Full refunds are available up to 4 weeks before the course starts.

50% refund 2 weeks to 4 weeks before the course starts.

No refund available less than two weeks before the course starts.