Please arrive to register for your course at 9:15am. We’ll get you set up with a hot drink, you’ll meet your tutor, and our team will do the necessary housekeeping stuff before the fun begins. We then aim to start the course at 9.30am.
Half day courses run until approximately 1:30pm. Full day courses run until approximately 4pm.
We are flexible on times, so don’t worry if you’re not quite finished when your course ends – you are very welcome to stay a while longer. Also, if you need to leave us before you are fully finished, you’re welcome to take additional materials with you to finish your piece at home.
Yes, you will take every item you make home with you, so please ensure you have enough room in your vehicle to fit your willow project. We can also arrange to ship your project home to you via courier for an additional charge.
No previous experience is necessary to attend many of our willow weaving courses. Our experienced tutors guide you through your course. Even if you’re a complete beginner, you will leave our course with a wonderful woven project. We also send you home with an instruction leaflet, so you will be able to recreate your chosen weaving project at home.
We provide all materials for your weaving course, so you won’t need to bring any tools or materials with you. All the materials you use will be natural, and all of the willow is grown right here at Musgrove Willows.
You will also use dyestuffs, varnishes, and paints in the making of your willow project. Your tutor will instruct you in the safe use of these materials.
After your course, we will provide you with details of all the willow and other materials used in the making of your project, along with instructions on how to make it again. We offer all course students a 10% discount on the first purchase of materials after they’ve attended their course.
If you would like to recreate your project again at home, you’ll be able to order all the materials you need. You can also get in touch with us before your course to pre-order the materials, or ask your tutor at the beginning of your course if you can purchase the materials needed to take home with you.
Please bring glasses if you need them for close-up work. Please also feel free to bring a notebook and pen if you wish to make notes, but e-notes and links will be sent after the workshop.
Cold and hot drinks will be available throughout the day. Please feel free to bring your own bottled water.
We provide a light lunch for all our course attendees. Please advise us of any dietary requirements or allergies that we should be aware of before attending your course. We cater for dairy-free, gluten-free, and wheat-free diets as standard. You are also welcome to bring your own packed lunch if you prefer.
Our course room has a lovely wood burning stove for when it’s chilly, but please still dress appropriately for the time of year your course is being held.
Please ensure you wear old clothes, not your Sunday best, as you will be working with wet and steamed willow rods and things might get a little messy. Please also wear covered, flat shoes – no sandals or open toes, as this is a health and safety risk. If you have long hair, please bring something to tie it back with.
We have an accessible bathroom onsite, and every willow course and our tour of the farm is wheelchair friendly. Please contact us before your course if you have any specific requirements you’d like us to be aware of.
Private willow courses, corporate team building days, hen and stag dos, school visits, and one-to-one tuition can all be arranged at your convenience. The maximum group sizes depend for each willow course, for example;
If you would like to arrange a private willow weaving course, please just contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
Our address is: Willow Fields, Lake Wall, Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0LP.
If you’re coming from the M5: Get off at Junction 23 and head towards Glastonbury/Wells (not Bridgwater). At the traffic lights at the bottom of Puriton Hill, turn right and head towards Bridgwater. Head over the motorway bridge by Mole Valley, turn left at the roundabout, then at the next small roundabout take the third exit and go down Whitefield Road.
Head through the housing estate until you come to the end and meet Westonzoyland Road. Turn left, take the second exit at the roundabout, follow the road into village of Westonzoyland, and once in the village turn right at the shop. Once you’re heading along school road, turn right into LakeWall.
If you’re coming on the A39 heading towards Bridgwater: As you approach Ashcott, turn left for Taunton (A361). Pass through Pedwell, Greinton, head along the road across the Somerset Levels, and pass The Greylake RSPB Nature Reserve. At the end of the straight, turn right, and follow signs for Bridgwater (A372). After one mile turn right at the T-junction and take the A372 to Westonzoyland. Once in the village, turn left at the shop, and then turn right into LakeWall.
If you’re coming on the A303: Leave the A303 at the Podimore Roundabout, and take the turning for Langport (A372). At Langport, continue on the A372 to Bridgwater. At Othery, continue on the A372, turning right and then left towards Bridgwater. Once in the village of Westonzoyland, turn left at the shop.
From the shop in Westonzoyland: Follow the brown tourism signs along School Road and Lakewall. Musgrove Willows is on the left.
If you’re joining us to take part in a course and are planning to stay, here’s a few suggestions for local accommodation:
The Bower Inn: A charming 18th-century pub, restaurant and hotel situated on the edge of the Somerset Levels near Bridgwater.
The Old Vicarage: A unique, award-winning, and dog-friendly hotel in the heart of Bridgwater.
Bridgwater Travelodge: Situated on the M5 services area, this is a great value option for staying locally.
Mercure Hotel: Just three miles from the M5, this 4-star Mercure Hotel is conveniently set in the heart of Bridgwater.
Bridgwater Premier Inn: Close to Bridgwater town centre and next to the M5, this Premier Inn has free onsite parking and accessible wet rooms.
Glastonbury Premier Inn: Close to Clarks Village shopping area, the historic Glastonbury Tor, and just 22 minutes from Westonzoyland.
Our willow courses are held in person. We provide all the materials and tools needed to create your willow project, our experienced tutors carefully guide you through the process – helping where needed – and we also provide refreshments and a fresh, home-cooked lunch.
We do have videos available to watch on our website and social media channels, including a series of videos on how to weave a round willow basket.
We will provide all tools needed for your willow course. Basketry and willow work involves the use of sharp, strong bladed knives. Your tutor will instruct you in the safe use of these.
You may also need to use electrical tools in the making of your willow project. Your tutor will also instruct you in the safe use of these tools, and provide any protective equipment needed.
When working with willow, some of the materials used are liable to mould growth. If you have any allergies, please take all necessary precautions, such as wearing a mask during your course.
Your willow course will include a home-cooked lunch, so please make us aware of any allergies or dietary requirements you have. Please also feel free to bring your own packed lunch if you prefer.
