Hedglaying Course, Devon Style

A hands-on one-day course teaching traditional Devon-style hedgelaying with billhooks, axes and saws at Higher Canny Woods.

Devon Rural Skills Trust runs this hands-on hedgelaying course teaching the traditional Devon method, known locally as 'steeping'. Participants learn to partially sever and bend young tree stems with billhooks, axes and saws to create a living, stock-proof barrier, secured with pegs called 'crooks' hammered into the bank. The Devon style produces a low, thick hedge along the top of a large bank. Learners are paired with experienced instructors and all abilities are welcome; the session runs 7 hours 30 minutes and is for ages 18 and over.