My name is Keith Polkinghorne I am an independent qualified experienced bushcraft, wilderness living, ancestral crafts, and traditional skills instructor based in Cornwall. I work throughout the country instructing primarily in Devon and Cornwall working for and alongside respected bushcraft schools and individuals..

A little about me:-

I have a wide and varied background, and lots of interests, some may call me a Renaissance Man (Homo universalis, if you prefer Latin).

I have worked as a professional musician, and music/guitar tutor for many years. I’m a qualified Archery GB Instructor, I teach ancestral crafts, traditional skills, bushcraft and oddly some Historical European Martial Arts.

Presently I am proud to be a lead instructor with Survival School UK, I also freelance for a number of other companies , and occasionally still tutor guitar and music theory.

When it comes to bushcraft and traditional/ancestral skills my journey was started on a traditional bow making course. Since then I have studied, researched and experimented in the field; obtaining an NCFE level 4 from Survival School, as well as completing many other qualifications/CPD courses.

I prefer a relaxed, friendly, individual approach to the subject and to teaching, as I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passing on these skills. To me the subject and skills should be accessible and teaching should be tailored to an individual.

I’m passionate about sharing my skills and studying in this field. You never stop learning, there’s always another skill to learn, a new or old book to read, or new way of doing something you never thought of. The strong of the link between the subject and materials to our ancestors and the environment is vital to my method and is one of the cornerstones of my instruction.

I currently hold an Enhanced DBS and Outdoor First Aid certifications.

If you wish to get in touch or book me please use the links from this site.