The Sylva Wood Centre is a hub for small businesses and craftspeople who design, innovate or make in wood. It is also the home of the Sylva Foundation.

The centre provides dedicated space, equipment and an inspiring community of woodworking professionals. Alongside business units for established businesses we provide facilities to support business incubation.

We occasionally open the centre for exhibitions, especially during Oxfordshire Artweeks. We offer a range of regular courses in wood and related crafts for members of the public.

Surrounding the buildings we've planted a community orchard, complete with an apiary, and a demonstration Future Forest with tree species that may thrive despite climate change, pests and diseases. We have a new dedicated forest education area with space for children to learn about and enjoy woodland.

"Our collaboration with Sylva has continued to blossom, since 2015 we have provided a year-long incubator workshop for a graduate at the Wood Centre." Drew Smith - Programme Leader FdA Furniture Design and Make - Rycotewood Furniture Centre

latest wood news

Head of Wood School appointed

Crafting a future in wood

Farewell to Paul Sellers

Green wood stool course 27Oct2018

Forestry Yard opens at Sylva Wood Centre

our wood activities

Sylva Foundation Wood Centre

Join our business community

Business Incubation

We offer dedicated incubation facilities at the Sylva Wood Centre which suit business start-up and serious hobbyists. We operate a 'hot-benching' scheme available offering weekly rental in a communal space, with access to a well-equipped machinery workshop.

Read our terms and conditions

Business Units

We offer rental units for established wood-related businesses.

Wood Centre Courses

The Sylva Wood Centre offers a prime location for learning and skills development in wood and related crafts. Courses are run among a thriving community of wood businesses, with excellent specialist facilities, surrounded by an attractive landscape.

Find out more and view our current courses on offer

We are always pleased to hear from wood and craft tutors to extend our range of courses.

Sylva Wood Centre community

We host a growing number of businesses working in wood and related crafts at the Sylva Wood Centre. As a dedicated business centre, not a visitor centre (except during special events), people are asked to contact a specific business prior to visiting. You will find relevant contact information below.

Business	Description	Website
Ali Buchan Furniture	Bespoke Furniture Maker	www.alibuchan.com
Chris Boreham Bespoke Woodwork	Furniture business originally supported under our Start-Up facilities	www.chrisboreham.co.uk
Classic Watercraft	Custom boat building and restoration	www.classicwatercraft.co.uk
Colin Henwood	Builder of wooden boats: restoration and rebuilds	www.colinhenwood.com
Face North Forestry	Professional forestry contractor offering low impact management of the rural environment, plus mobile sawmill and firewood processing	www.facenorthforestry.co.uk
Julian Angus	Carpentry and fitted joinery. Education workshops for young people	www.julianangus.com
Mary’s Chairs	Furniture restoration and upholstery, also offering tuition and creative workshops	www.maryschairs.co.uk
Matt Estlea	Woodworker, designer and creator (2017-18 Rycotewood craftsperson-in-residence)	www.mattestlea.com
Neil Scott Furniture	Bespoke furniture business	www.neilscottfurniture.com
Oxford Oak	Outdoor furniture and pergolas using home-grown oak	www.oxfordoak.co.uk
Rycotewood craftsperson-in-residence	Rycotewood Furniture Centre, at City of Oxford College, supports one graduate each year in setting up their businesses at the Sylva Wood Centre	www.cityofoxford.ac.uk/our-courses/furniture
Simon Clements Carving	Wood carving and sculpture, also offering training courses	www.simonclements.info