Traditional & contemporary craft courses in north Wales
handmade by you in
wernog wood
An introduction to dry stone walling
See course details, dates, costs, tutors & stories from students below
Over three days you will learn and implement traditional dry stone walling techniques; the process of stacking up stones without mortar to become a stable and proud structure.
You will learn about building from 'new' stone as well as stripping out, preparing & restoring traditional stone walls to their former glory. You will work on a real live wall, meaning your work may last for hundreds of years if you build it well.
Dry stone walls are a prominent feature in the Welsh landscape, traditionally having been used to keep a flock together giving them shelter, to separate one pasture from another, to decorate a dwelling or to mark a boundary. Each has the signature style of its builder.
£295 - Tuition fees
Tea, coffee and simple lunch included in your course price
We also offer accommodation & evening meals
Click here to see what we offer
This course is aimed at adults, aged 18yrs + and is suitable for beginners to those with experience
Xander Robertson has a passion for decorative drystone walling, although there isn't anything regarding stone that he won't do.
Having worked on projects all over the UK and Ireland, Xander has travelled further afield, honing his skills in New Zealand. He built the wall in the "Best of show garden in construction 2024" at Chelsea Flower Show. He has also worked on historical and listed projects, as well as stock walls on islands off the west coast of Cork.
Expect an eclectic mix of music while he teaches and talks you through the dos's and don'ts of drystone walling!
Stories from our students
I went on the dry stone walling course - something I had wanted to try my hand at for years. Due to he nature of the course it was quite physical, and you certainly knew you had done some work by the end of each day, but we were all really pleased and impressed with what we had created at the end of the course. Xander was very helpful and patient with us, and was happy to advise and help us as we went.
Claire and Rob are very welcoming, and the hospitality is first rate. It is a wonderful place to visit. Well worth it! - Andrew
This dry stone walling course was great and a pleasure to be involved. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful, and it's such a nice place to visit
Good tuition, equipment, timings and delivered in a fun but instructive way.
The first day was very physical with some heavy lifting and that too was enjoyable.
The aspect most welcome was the homely, practical facilities to sit relaxing before, after and during the course. The food was hearty, healthy and in good quantities and a highlight for me.
Dave
Upcoming Dates
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