THE ART OF DRYSTONE WALLING

There’s a quiet dignity in a drystone wall. No mortar, no cement, just stone, set against stone, guided by the hands of someone who knows where each one fits.

Drystone walling is one of those crafts that asks for patience more than speed, intuition more than instruction. A good waller doesn’t force the stones; they work with them, reading the shapes, feeling the balance. It’s a skill passed down more by doing than by telling.

Over time, a drystone wall settles and spreads slightly, bedding itself into the earth beneath. Built on soil, it moves with the land not against it.

In an age of concrete and quick fixes, drystone walls remind us of something slower and sturdier. They work in harmony with the land, and if left alone, can stand for centuries. They don’t just mark boundaries, they hold memories of generations who shaped the countryside.

Earlier in 2024, we hosted a special event with master waller Richard Tuffnel—a celebration of this ancient craft and a rare opportunity to learn from one of its most respected practitioners. His love and his craft have taken him world-wde where he has built and advised on many great drystone walls.

The gathering reflected our wider approach to working with expert craftspeople to shape gardens that are rooted in place, designed with nature, and made to last for generations. As a garden design studio we recognise that much of the success of our work is the result of collaborations with great craftspeople like Richard.