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Dry stone walling in the Cotswolds
Short answer
The Cotswolds has around 6,000 km of dry stone walls, built from local limestone with no mortar. Many need repair. A new wall up to 2 metres high, or 1 metre next to a road, often needs no planning permission. Listed sites and conservation areas have extra rules. This page lists local firms who do walling.
Firms found on a trade register first, then A to Z.
| Firm | Based in | Does | Checks | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A & L Builders LtdLtd company 04223339 | Fairford GL7 Covers Fairford and Lechlade |
Cotswold stonework, Dry stone walling | 01285 712541 | |
| Barron's Building ServicesLtd company 13276767 | Minchinhampton GL6 Covers Cirencester, Stroud, Witney +7 |
Cotswold stonework, Dry stone walling, New builds, Extensions | 01453 882411Website | |
| Chris Hobbs Dry Stone Walling | Chipping Norton OX7 Covers Chipping Norton |
Dry stone walling | 01608 643118Website | |
| Harri-Stone Masonry LtdLtd company 05715803 | Witney OX28 Covers Witney |
Cotswold stonework, Dry stone walling, Listed buildings | 01993 772005Website | |
| Jackson's Stonemasonry LtdLtd company 15776149 | Winchcombe GL54 Covers Cirencester, Winchcombe, Stow-on-the-Wold |
Cotswold stonework, Dry stone walling, Lime mortar and plaster, Listed buildings | 07741 900066Website | |
| Pyments Of Campden LimitedLtd company 01448950 | Chipping Campden GL55 Covers Chipping Campden |
Extensions, New builds, Renovations, Cotswold stonework, +1 | 01386 840233 | |
| TJM Stone Walling LtdLtd company 11948847 | Witney OX29 Covers Witney |
Dry stone walling, Cotswold stonework | 07557 382262Website | |
| Cotswold Building & RoofingLtd company 12550817 | Fairford GL7 Covers Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford and Lechlade +1 |
New builds, Extensions, Renovations, Cotswold stonework, +3 | Trading, no register found | 07799 350998Website |
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How a Cotswold dry stone wall is built
The Cotswolds National Landscape says a dry stone wall has two faces that taper towards the top. The width under the coping is usually half the width at the base.
Through stones tie the two faces together. Small stones, called hearting, fill the gaps inside.
The common Cotswold top is "cock and hen" coping: thin stones set on edge. Mortar caps stop the wall from moving naturally, so a waller may advise against them.
Repair or rebuild
A bulge or a gap in a wall usually means a rebuild of that length. The waller takes the wall down to the base, sorts the stone and builds it up again.
Repair early. The Cotswolds National Landscape says prompt repair avoids higher costs later.
The stone varies across the Cotswolds. It is honey-coloured in the north, and greyer elsewhere. Reuse the stone on site where you can, so the wall matches.
Planning rules for walls
A new wall needs no planning permission if it is no more than 1 metre high next to a road. Elsewhere, the limit is 2 metres. Other conditions also apply.
These rights do not apply on a listed building’s site or its grounds. A boundary with a listed neighbour is also excluded.
In a conservation area, you might need permission to take down a wall. Ask the council before you remove any length of old wall.
Check a waller
The Dry Stone Walling Association runs a Craft Certification Scheme. It says the scheme is accredited by Lantra and recognised by Ofqual at levels 1, 2 and 3.
The association also keeps a register of professional wallers. Ask a waller which level they hold, and check it.
- Which walls have you built or rebuilt near here?
- Will you reuse the stone on site? How much new stone will you need, and where will it come from?
- How will you top the wall?
- Is the price per square metre of wall face, or per metre length?
Questions
Do I need permission to rebuild a dry stone wall?
Usually not, if you rebuild it to the same height on a site that is not listed. In a conservation area or on a listed site, ask the council first.
How long do dry stone walls last?
Many Cotswold walls date from the 18th and 19th centuries, when fields were enclosed. A well-built wall can last a very long time with prompt repairs.
Should a dry stone wall have a mortar top?
Usually not. The Cotswolds National Landscape says mortar caps and cemented copings stop the wall from moving naturally. The traditional top is cock and hen coping.