King Alfred’s Cakes (Daldinia concentrica) Woodland Firelighter Fungus – 50g Bag (UK Origin)

Discover the ancient secret to fire-lighting with King Alfred’s Cakes, sustainably foraged from the historic Arun Wood in West Sussex. Also known as "Coal Fungus" or "Cramp Balls," this incredible natural tinder has been used for millennia—from Stone Age travelers to modern bushcraft experts.  Key Features:

• Natural Tinder: A high-performance, primitive fire starter that accepts a spark easily from a traditional flint and steel or a modern ferrocerium rod.  

• Sustainably Sourced: Hand-gathered from dead Ash and Beech trees within the ancient woodland of Arun Wood, ensuring a local and eco-friendly product.  

• Long Smoulder Time: Once ignited, the fungus burns slowly like a charcoal briquette, creating a steady, intense ember rather than a fleeting flame.  

• Historical Heritage: Named after the legend of King Alfred the Great, these fungi resemble the burnt cakes he allegedly scattered in the forest.  

Benefits for You

• Reliable in All Weather: When kept dry, these are a "fail-safe" addition to any survival or camping kit.  Perfect for Coal Carrying: Historically used to transport fire across long distances; a single "cake" can smoulder for hours, allowing you to move your heat source between camps.  

• Eco-Friendly Alternative: Replace chemical-laden firelighters with a 100% natural, biodegradable fungus that leaves nothing behind but ash.  

• Great for Education: An excellent tool for teaching traditional fire-lighting skills to children or scouts.  

• Usage Tip: For the best results, break the fungus open to expose the dark, concentric rings inside. Aim your spark at the internal fibers, then blow gently to encourage the ember to grow.    

Safety Note: These fungi are inedible and are for fire-lighting and decorative purposes only. Once lit, they are difficult to extinguish, so always handle with care.  

Bring a piece of historic British woodland heritage into your home with this beautiful set of six hand-carved Gypsy flowers. Each flower is traditionally crafted from freshly cut hazel coppice, grown and sustainably harvested right here in the ancient soils of Arun Wood, West Sussex.

Also known as "wood wool flowers," this traditional folk art involves meticulously slicing thin, curling ribbons of wood down a single hazel branch while it is still green, leaving them attached to form a striking, natural blossom that will last a lifetime.

Key Features

• Authentic Craftsmanship: Made using traditional green woodworking techniques and hand tools. No two flowers are identical.

• 100% Sustainable: Harvested as part of vital coppice management in an ancient Sussex woodland, supporting local biodiversity.

• Natural Variation: The hazel bark forms a beautiful, rustic "stem," contrasting perfectly with the pale, creamy wood of the curled petals.

• Versatile Decor: Perfect for rustic vases, country kitchens, autumn/winter displays, or as a unique eco-friendly gift.

Dimensions

• Quantity: 6 Hazel Flowers per order.

• Length: Approximately 25cm – 30cm (10–12 inches) per stem.

• Flower Head Width: Approximately 5cm – 7cm.

• (Please note: As a completely natural, handmade product, slight variations in size, curve, and bark texture will occur. Photos are for a representative set, you will receive your own unique set).

Postage & Packaging

• Dispatched from: West Sussex, UK.

• Packaging: Carefully packed in plastic-free, recyclable cardboard boxes to ensure the delicate wood curls arrive in pristine condition.

• Shipping: Royal Mail Tracked 48 / Evri (Select at checkout).

Terms of Sale & Returns Policy

We want you to love your piece of Arun Wood. In accordance with UK distance selling laws, we accept returns within 14 days of delivery.

• Condition for Returns: Because these are delicate wood crafts, items must be returned unused, undamaged, and in their original packaging.

• Return Shipping: The buyer is responsible for return postage costs for change-of-mind returns.