About Ben
Ben Law lives and works at Prickly Nut Wood in West Sussex, UK.
Apart from making a living from coppicing, he trains apprentices and runs courses on sustainable woodland management, eco-building and permaculture design. Ben also runs a few ticketed open days each year, to experience Prickly Nut Wood and visit the Woodland House.
Ben specialises in Roundwood Timber Framing and has developed specialist jointing techniques for the architectural style of building he creates. These, he passes on through his flagship Roundwood Timber Framing course. The building of his house was filmed for Channel 4’s Grand Designs program and was voted the most popular Grand Design ever by viewers.
Ben is also a prolific author having written seven books. His latest book ‘Woodland Workshop’ is a practical construction book of traditional and modern woodland devices. Translations of Ben’s book ‘Woodland craft’ are available in French and German, Roundwood Timber Framing is also available in French.
“For over twenty years I have lived and worked at Prickly Nut Wood, our lives are symbiotically entwined.”
Ben
Books by Ben
Binding: Hardback PLC
No. of pages: 216pp
Illustrations: 185
Photographs: 496
Woodland Craft
Accompany woodsman Ben Law as he celebrates the amazing diversity of craft products made from materials sourced directly from the woods.
Including brooms, rakes, pegs, spoons, chairs, baskets, fencing, yurts and even a caravan, the items are hewn from freshly cut green wood, shaped by hand and infused with a simple, rustic beauty.
Detailed instructions and advice are given for each craft, along with essential knowledge about tools and devices. With fascinating information on the history, language and traditions of the crafts, coppice management and tree species, this book teaches about all aspects of the low-impact woodland way of life.
“His writing, just like his handiwork, is a joyful celebration of wood, in all its flexibility, beauty, colour and strength. Woodland Craft is at once traditional and forward-looking. Ben reminds us what craft truly is. It’s not just skill in the making of something, but a knowledge and love of one’s materials and understanding of how the finished piece of work will be seen, appreciated and used: in short, how it will speak to the world.“
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
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“Ben is a true pioneer and is quite simply creating a woodland renaissance in Britain. One of Ben’s remarkable gifts is a knack for inspiring others, both as a writer and by example.”
HUGH FEARNLEY-WHITTINGSTALL, AUTHOR, CAMPAIGNER & TV CHEF
“What a fantastic day and what a nice man Ben is. I was very impressed with his willingness to impart his knowledge and share ideas and advice with the group, no question was too much. Now looking at courses with Ben next year. Still absolutely on a wave of enthusiasm from the experience.”
PETE BARRETT
“Ben Law is an extraordinary man. Not exactly a warrior for his cause, more the quiet victor.”
KEVIN MCCLOUD, CHANNEL 4’S GRAND DESIGNS
Roundwood Timber Framing
Ben Law has pioneered Roundwood timber framing in the United kingdom, through his passionate desire to see buildings constructed from local, sustainable materials. Ben set up and directed ‘The Roundwood Timber Framing Company’, and has built houses, shops, school buildings all from a local supply of renewable timber. Ben uses natural materials from the foundations through to the roof and manages much of the resource he builds from, through coppice management and continuous cover forestry techniques. Ben is now focusing on training others in Roundwood timber framing and keeping his building projects local, where he is specialising in unique bespoke small builds, garden retreats, studios, tree houses, outdoor kitchens and natural swimming pools.
