Traditional Timber Framing in the UK: Our Experience at Hewnwood
Woodcock Cabins is made up of three brothers - Henry, Alfie and Tom. Both Alf and Hen went on the Hewnwood Traditional timber framing course in 2020 and since then we’ve had a number of exciting jobs that have allowed us to showcase these skills, notably the yoga studio we built for Tim in Tracebridge, Somerset. Book a consultation with us if you have a project you want us to help you with.
Timber framed yoga studio in Somerset
Here you can see locally grown and milled douglas fir transformed into a yoga studio held together by snugly fitted joints and hardwood pegs. You can see more images on our instagram or on our website. We’re based in Bristol now and mostly work in the South West.
What is traditional timber framing?
Traditional timber framing is an ancient construction technique that uses joinery and wooden pegs instead of metal fixings and fasteners. This means of construction flourished in the UK during the Middle Ages and peaked in popularity during the Tudor period. The largest example of this kind of construction in the UK is the Great Barn at Harmondsworth.
In June this year Tom finally took the course and here are the main reasons why we all think it’s such a worthwhile course to attend!
1. The instructors: Alan and Connor's father-son teaching approach
Alan has over 30 years experience of green oak framing and has been running the course for 18 years. Connor has been building and consulting on large timber frames around the world and the two of them make a lovely father - son team. They are encouraging and patient. They work to a mind-boggling degree of accuracy and encourage participants to do the same, but it’s clear that they both enjoy what they are doing. It’s a stress free, jovial environment to work and learn in. Their knowledge and depth of experience is something to behold.
The attention to detail and joy of the craft is something we aspire to bring to every project. Get in touch if you have a tiny house, workshop, sauna or other build you want us to help you realise.
Here’s some photos of my recent two-week green oak framing course in Brecon with Alan and Connor.
Alan checking the level of the jowl post.
The technique we used is called ‘Scribe Rule’, which involves laying out timbers on trestles and using a plumb bob and spirit level to transfer any discrepancies in size or square between the two pieces being joined. This process enables us to achieve tight-fitting joints in rough-sawn, green timber, which often has twists and curves.
Here you can see the plumb bob, which is used to scribe one wonky face of a timber onto another, so you can work out where to put the mortise and the tenon.
2. The Hewnwood workshop location near Brecon, South Wales
The Hewnwood workshop is just outside the town of Brecon in South Wales, it's a stunning location. Alan has built a wood fired sauna, there’s a stream running alongside the field and it’s deep enough for a shallow dip, very welcome after a long day of hefting huge green oak beams, especially if the sun is out.
3 - The stunning lunches and dinners provided
Alan has different people who chef during the course. When I was there the food was exceptional. It wasn’t just simple fare, it was mouth-watering restaurant quality meals. We had local venison one evening, short ribs another, a fantastic Goan fish curry, goat, all sorts.
4 - Evenings at Hewnwood
If you’re musical and can play an instrument then bring it along! Alan and Connor are both very good musicians, there’s banjos, shruti-box and sometimes a fiddle!
Here you can see the jowl post holding up the top plate and tie beam. The top plate runs along the length of the frame and the tie beam holds the two walls together, each supported by braces on the diagonal. If you feel inspired to create a structure that will last for generations, contact us and let's build something worthwhile.
