Crafts / Dry Stone Walling

Dry Stone Walling

Dry stone walling uses no mortar - structures rely entirely on careful stone selection and placement for their extraordinary strength and longevity.

About Dry Stone Walling

Dry stone walling uses no mortar - structures rely entirely on careful stone selection and placement for their extraordinary strength and longevity. From the limestone walls of the Yorkshire Dales to the granite boundaries of Dartmoor, every regional tradition reflects its local landscape. UNESCO inscribed dry stone walling on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018. Over 100,000 miles of dry stone walls exist in the UK, many in need of skilled repair. The Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) runs a four-level certification scheme that is the recognised benchmark for professional wallers.

Typical earnings

Employed: £25,000–£35,000 | Self-employed / Master Craftsman: considerably more on heritage and estate contracts

Practitioners in this craft

Practitioner interviews are in production. At least one practitioner featured in each craft will be a woman working in that trade. If you know someone still practising this craft, or would like to be featured, get in touch.

office@craftgate.org

Career pathway

DSWA Initial Certificate - Gap Waller

Rebuilding gaps and failed sections in existing walls

Stone selection, wall structure, batter and coping basics

DSWA Intermediate Certificate

Constructing a complete free-standing wall from scratch

Batter frame use, through-stone placement, cheekend construction

DSWA Advanced Certificate

Retaining walls, curved walls, walls on sloping ground

Adapting to challenging conditions, quality and finish

DSWA Master Craftsman

Full range of features - steps, stiles, pillars, arches

Complete technical mastery, contract management, stone sourcing

Walling Instructor / Consultant

Teaching, advising landowners and estates, supporting conservation programmes

Instruction skills, condition assessment, landscape and heritage context

Getting qualified

✓DSWA Craft Certification Scheme - four levels from Initial to Master Craftsman
✓Introductory courses through DSWA-approved instructors (no prior experience required)
✓Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills - Dry Stone

Find a placement

Ready to try Dry Stone Walling for yourself? Browse available placements with verified hosts.

View Dry Stone Walling placements ← All crafts

Ready to learn?

Start the Dry Stone Walling Foundation Pathway - 6 modules covering conservation philosophy to career qualifications.

Start Learning →