Dry Stone Walls by Jacob May
Types and Styles

Single Wall (Single Dyke)

A single wall, often referred to as a single dyke, is a basic form of wall construction where stones or bricks are laid in a single line. This type of wall is typically used for simple boundary demarcation or to keep livestock contained. The construction process involves carefully selecting and placing stones so that they interlock naturally, providing stability without the use of mortar. These walls rely on the weight and friction between stones to maintain their structure.

Double Wall (Double Dyke)

A double wall, or double dyke, is more complex and robust than a single wall. It consists of two parallel walls with a gap in between, which is filled with smaller stones or fill. This filling acts as a stabilizer, ensuring the walls remain upright and strong. Double walls are commonly used in regions with harsh weather conditions or where additional durability is needed. The two walls support each other, distributing pressure and reducing the likelihood of collapse.

Galloway Dyke

Galloway walls are renowned for their unique construction, featuring a double stack of small stones topped with a single stack of large stones. Despite this unconventional arrangement, these walls are both fast to build and incredibly durable. Whether for historical restoration or new construction, mastering Galloway walling ensures strength, speed, and a distinctive aesthetic.

Cornish Hedge

The Cornish hedge is a unique type of wall found predominantly in Cornwall, England. It combines elements of a stone wall with a living hedge, creating a biodiversity-friendly barrier. The construction involves building a stone wall with an earthen core, often topped with soil and planted with native shrubs and plants. Over time, the hedge grows and interweaves with the stones, providing a robust, living structure that supports local wildlife and plant species.

Ha-ha

A ha-ha is a type of landscape feature that serves as a boundary without obstructing views. A dry stone ha-ha consists of a ditch with a stone retaining wall on the inner side, blending seamlessly into the landscape. This design allows for an unobstructed view across the terrain while still providing an effective barrier to livestock. Ha-ha's are often found in large estates or landscaped gardens, preserving aesthetic appeal while fulfilling practical purposes.

Field Wall

Field walls are traditional agricultural boundaries constructed from locally sourced stones. These walls are built to enclose fields, providing protection from livestock and defining property lines. The stones are typically placed without mortar, relying on careful placement and interlocking shapes for stability. Field walls vary in height and thickness depending on their specific use and regional construction practices.

Retaining Wall

Retaining walls are engineered structures designed to hold back soil and prevent erosion. These walls are essential in landscaping and construction projects where there are significant changes in elevation. They can be made from various materials, including stone, concrete, and wood. Retaining walls are built to withstand the lateral pressure of the soil they are holding back and are often reinforced with additional features like drainage systems to manage water flow and reduce hydrostatic pressure.

Other Types

In addition to the more common varieties, the UK showcases several specialized dry stone walls, each tailored to unique environmental and functional needs. Cripple Hole walls, for instance, feature gaps that allow small animals to pass through, promoting local wildlife movement. Turf-Capped walls are topped with a layer of turf, enhancing stability and helping the wall blend naturally into the landscape. In regions where large boulders are plentiful, walls constructed from singular massive stones are prevalent, utilizing the natural abundance of materials. These specialized walls highlight the creativity and adaptability of traditional construction methods, reflecting the diverse demands and conditions across different landscapes.

Scotland

Scotland's dry stone walls, known as 'drystane dykes', weave a rich tapestry of regional variations and construction techniques that mirror the country's diverse geological landscapes and cultural heritage. The iconic 'double dyke' style reigns supreme in central Scotland, characterised by two faces filled with hearting and fortified with throughstones, often crafted from durable whinstone. In the southern and western regions, sandstone versions add a touch of local flavour, showcasing the adaptability of Scottish craftsmanship to different materials.
Guided by meticulous specifications outlined by authorities like the Stewartry Drystane Dyking Committee, Scottish craftsmen ensure the durability and stability of these iconic structures. From incorporating practical features like openings for shepherds and trappers to mastering the art of single dykes using challenging materials like granite or coarse-textured stones, each wall stands as a testament to the skill and dedication of its builders.
Whether it's the simplicity of a single dyke or the intricate craftsmanship of a Galloway dyke, each wall serves as a timeless monument to Scotland's rich heritage and the connection between its people and the land they call home.

Ireland

Irish dry stone walls, renowned for their rugged appearance, embody a unique blend of history, geography, and craftsmanship. Constructed predominantly from rough glacial boulders, these walls stand as enduring symbols of Ireland's landscape, shaped by the scarcity of easily shaped materials like Jurassic limestone and the extensive glacial drift that blankets the country.
While some of these walls can trace their origins back to the Iron Age, the majority emerged during the 18th and early 19th centuries, coinciding with enclosures in lowland farming areas. Unlike their Scottish counterparts, walls in southern and central Ireland often exhibit less batter and fewer throughstones. Coping materials vary, ranging from mortar and sod to randomly placed small stones, reflecting the local availability and preferences of builders.
County Clare and Galway boast a preference for single-thickness walls reminiscent of the Galloway style, often featuring mortar or cement in the coping to enhance stability. Unique features such as 'phantom gates' add character to regions like Ulster and Munster, showcasing the diverse heritage of Irish wall construction.

The Pennines

The Pennines, England's sprawling walled territory, stretch approximately 140 miles from Staffordshire-Derbyshire to the Tyne Gap, extending their reach into the Cheviots and the Howgill Fells. This expansive region serves as a testament to England's geological diversity, boasting a mosaic of landscapes from the Carboniferous limestone of the Craven and Peak Districts to the acid sandstones and shales of South and West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and beyond.
The dry stone walls of the Pennines serve as tangible reflections of these geological variations, with clean grey-white tones dominating limestone-rich areas and darker hues prevailing elsewhere. Each geological substrate lends its distinct character to the region's dry stone walls, contributing to the tapestry of England's landscape heritage.

Wales

Wales, with its intricate geology and diverse landscapes, boasts a captivating array of dry stone walls that mirror the natural environment. In Gwynedd, home to the oldest rocks in Wales, a fascinating mix of slates, granite, volcanic rocks, Carboniferous limestone, and Precambrian schists and gneisses creates a mesmerising patchwork, sculpted by the presence of intrusive dykes and sills.
The western foothills of Snowdonia, as well as iconic passes like Llanberis and Nant Ffrancon, are defined by the presence of volcanic rocks, which give rise to rough, grey-hued walls that stand as symbols of the region's geological heritage. Venturing south, central Wales unfolds with its rounded hills of mudstones, shales, and slates, where dry stone walls gracefully trace the contours of the land, blending seamlessly with the undulating terrain.
In the South Wales valleys, reminiscent of the southern Pennines, grits and flags dominate the landscape, contributing to a scenery that is more fenced than walled. However, amidst this transition, the Welsh identity remains unmistakable, woven into the fabric of the landscape through the presence of these boundary structures.

The Lake District

In the Lake District, spanning approximately 30 miles of stunning natural beauty, the intricate interplay of diverse rock types shapes the myriad styles of dry stone walling that grace its landscapes. From the ancient Skiddaw Slates that dominate the northern peaks to the rugged Borrowdale Volcanics near Keswick and Ambleside, each geological formation leaves its indelible mark on the character of the walls that crisscross the region.
In Ennerdale and Eskdale, granite and granophyres lend their warm, mottled pink hues to the walls, creating structures that exude a timeless elegance. Contrastingly, the Borrowdale Volcanics give rise to coarser, slate-like walls, their rugged beauty mirroring the untamed majesty of the landscape they traverse.
As one ventures further south, the dominance of Silurian slates becomes apparent, often intermingled with shales and flags, echoing the cleavage patterns of their Skiddaw counterparts. Despite the regional variations, connections to neighbouring landscapes are evident, with the presence of Carboniferous limestone near Furness and New Red Sandstones around St. Bees, each contributing its own unique characteristics reminiscent of styles found in the Pennines and the Carlisle area.

Southern/Central England

Dry stone walls in southern and central England, particularly prominent in picturesque regions like the Cotswolds, serve as reflections of the landscape's gentle undulations and golden-hued limestone vistas. Crafted primarily from Jurassic limestone, these walls radiate warmth with their russet-brown or golden grey tones, embodying the region's geological heritage.
The materials for these walls are sourced from thicker oolitic beds and shelly limestone layers lying beneath the subsoil, allowed to weather naturally over time, lending a timeless charm to the structures. Stretching from the Isle of Purbeck to the Cleveland Hills, the Jurassic limestone belt shapes wall construction across the region, seamlessly blending into the countryside.
In regions like northwest Leicestershire and the Mendips, distinct styles emerge, reflecting local geological nuances. Charnwood Forest boasts rough boulder walls, while the Mendips feature predominantly Carboniferous limestone constructions, occasionally incorporating sandstone or breccia. Unlike the intricate structures found in Pennine, Lakeland, and Scottish walls, these walls in southern and central England exhibit minimal batter and are characterised by 'bonders' rather than throughs, showcasing a unique regional aesthetic deeply rooted in the landscape's history and heritage.

South West

In the South West, particularly in mid and west Cornwall, the term "hedge" encompasses a rich variety of linear enclosing features, from earth banks faced with stone or turf to the distinctive dry stone hedges that dot the high downs and moors. Here, the boundaries between dry stone walls, mortared walls, and earth banks often blur, creating a diverse environment that reflects the region's rugged beauty.
In the Boscastle-Tintagel district and echoing the walls of the Isles of Scilly, variations of dry stone walls feature stonework only one stone thick, adding a rustic charm to the landscape. Stone- or turf-faced banks, crowned with living shrubs, dominate other areas, serving as the primary fence type and contributing to the region's pastoral allure.
The herringbone pattern, especially prevalent in slate hedges, not only optimises material use but also provides a sturdy foundation for turf capping, ensuring longevity and resilience against the elements.
Further inland, free-standing walls fringe the granite moorlands of the South West, adorned with rough horizontal courses and occasionally topped with turf. This landscape is a testament to remarkable geological diversity, as seen at Sticklepath on Dartmoor's north edge, where walls showcase a stunning array of rock types, colours, and textures.
Additionally, the South West abounds with ancient enclosure relics, such as single rows of enormous granite boulders found near Zennor, offering glimpses into the region's historical landscape.