I bought my dad a walking stick making day course for his birthday last year and he cannot recommend it strongly enough. We all spent a lovely weekend in Dentdale in the Yorshire Dales and my dad spent one day in a little workshop in the scenically lovely Dales.

Ivy Cottage is in its 7th year of running their popular ‘One-day Stickmaking Course’ in the workshop situated in Dentdale. Could this be the ideal gift for a birthday or Christmas present?

Brian Bannister of Ivy Cottage (sticks4you) says, “To ensure individual attention, we only take six people on each course. During the day you will make and complete a wooden headed crook. No experience is necessary. We start at 8.45 am and finish at 4.30pm. The fee of £65 includes all materials, a buffet lunch plus tea and coffee breaks. This is a hands-on day so we recommend that you wear old clothes. We promise you an interesting and stress-free day – with the added bonus of taking your own crook home with you! Stickmaking accessories will be available to buy on the day with a discount of 10%. The courses fill quickly and are very popular with many people returning 2 or 3 times. All bookings will be acknowledged. There is no deposit required just pay on the day.”

The Ivy Cottage workshop is in such a beautiful place and there is lots of interesting and beautiful sight seeing to be had in the whole of the Yorkshire Dales area.

So, if you know anyone who would like to learn how to make their own walking stick or who just really enjoy a hands-on, friendly, fun and interesting day, then book a course today!