Service
Dry stone walling
Dry-stone walls built and repaired in the traditional way, in local stone, no mortar, no shortcuts.
In short
What does Gardenscape mean by dry stone walling?
Dry-stone walls built and repaired in the traditional way, in local stone, no mortar, no shortcuts.
Dry stone walling, the traditional way
A dry stone wall is built without mortar, the stones placed so they lock together and shed water, and it is one of the defining features of the Cotswold landscape. Built properly it stands for generations and suits the local character in a way nothing else does. It is skilled, patient work, and we do it the traditional way.
The craft is in the placing
Without mortar holding it together, a dry stone wall relies entirely on how the stones are sorted, placed and packed. We source and sort the stone, build proper footings, set the batter so the wall leans gently in on itself for strength, course it correctly, and finish it with a coping that locks the top. The hearting, the small stones packed into the core, is the part you never see and a large part of why the wall lasts.
New walls and repairs
We build new dry stone walls and repair old ones. A bulging or collapsed wall has usually failed for a reason, water, ground movement or a lost footing, so a proper repair addresses the cause as well as the stones. We take the failed section back to a sound base, reuse the original stone and rebuild in character. Repairs are priced on inspection, because how much can be saved is a site judgement.
In keeping with the place
Across the limestone belt, around Malmesbury, Tetbury, Sherston and Corsham, dry stone walling is part of the identity of the place. We build it to sit with the existing stone. Arrange a consultation and we will look at your wall or your boundary.
Sibling disciplines
Also within this craft
- 01
Cotswold stone walling
Garden and boundary walls in Cotswold stone, built to sit right with the local vernacular.
Read - 02
Retaining walls
Engineered retaining walls that hold ground and drain properly, faced in stone to suit the garden.
Read - 03
Garden walls
Boundary and feature garden walls, built and faced to last and to match the property.
Read - 04
Dry stone wall repair
Repair and rebuilding of collapsed, bulging or failing dry stone walls, in matched local stone.
Read - 05
Ha-ha walls
Bespoke ha-ha walls: a sunken retaining wall that keeps an uninterrupted view while holding stock or marking a boundary.
Read
Cost context
Indicative ranges
Figures are relative, not quotations. Each scheme is priced after a survey of access, levels, drainage and finish standard.
| What changes the cost |
|---|
| stone sourcing and sorting |
| footings |
| batter and coursing |
| coping |
Source: Gardenscape. Figures as of 2026-06-03.
Recent work
Projects in this discipline
Common questions
Common questions
The way the stones are placed. Sorted, coursed and packed correctly, with the right batter and hearting in the core, the stones lock together and shed water. The skill is entirely in the placing, which is why it is a craft.
Built properly, for generations. A well-built dry stone wall outlasts most mortared ones, because it can flex slightly with the ground rather than cracking.
Yes, it is some of our most common walling work. We find why it failed, take the section back to a sound base, reuse the original stone and rebuild in character. Repairs are priced on inspection.
Yes. Building and repairing in the local stone so the work sits with the existing walls and the landscape is the whole point, especially across the Cotswold limestone belt.
Arrange a consultation
Send a few photographs and a sentence about the site. We will reply personally.