Paul Lamb
Is a master hedgelayer and skilled hurdlemaker who has spent over 25 years refining and practising his craft across the West Country and, more recently, in Gower, South Wales.
Working by hand with traditional tools, he restores and creates living boundaries that support wildlife, prevent erosion, and preserve the character of the British countryside. Paul continues to travel seasonally throughout the region, laying hedges and weaving hazel hurdles with a deep respect for the land and its rhythms. His work is rooted in a centuries-old tradition, and his skill reflects a lifetime of hands-on experience and close observation of nature.
Alongside his practical work, Paul is committed to passing on the knowledge and techniques of hedgelaying to a new generation. He believes this rural craft—once vital to farming life and now increasingly rare—is worth preserving not only for its ecological value but for its cultural and historical significance. Through demonstrations, teaching, and sharing his methods with the public, Paul hopes to inspire others to keep the tradition alive. His book Of Thorn & Briar and his Instagram account @westcountry_hedgelayer offer glimpses into this way of life, but his true legacy lies in the hedges he lays and the hands he teaches.
Paul lives with his partner Liz in Gower, South Wales where he teaches coppice skills and hedgelaying courses from a smallholding by the sea.
AUTHOR
Paul Lamb’s Wainright Prize nominated bestselling book A Year with the Westcountry Hedgelayer offers a seasonal journey through traditional craft, conservation, and rural life. Find out more about the book, Paul’s inspiration and writing process.
“A beautifully written reflection on a life deeply connected to the land. A genuine delight.”
— Nicholas Hawkins, Foyles
Paul Lamb’s Instagram account, @westcountry_hedgelayer, has attracted a substantial and growing following, with nearly 200,000 people drawn to his quiet, visually rich documentation of rural craft.
Through a mix of photos and short videos, he shares the process of hedgelaying, hurdlemaking, and life on the road in his converted van. His posts highlight not just the technical skill involved in his work, but also the seasonal rhythms, landscapes, and ecological value of traditional land management. The account has become a rare digital space where heritage craft meets modern storytelling, inspiring renewed interest and respect for rural traditions.
FOLLOW @Westcountry_Hedgelayer
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Viral hedgelayer lands book deal
A hedgelayer from Somerset has landed a book deal after his videos went viral on social media.
BBC NEWS - SOMERSET
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My mission to save Britain’s dying hedgerows
One of our last master hedgelayers has become a star online, with idyllic videos of his rural life. But it’s the craft that counts, he says.
TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE
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Life & Writing in the English Countryside with Paul Lamb - The West Country Hedgelayer
Interview with The English Pilgrim, Luke Sherlock.
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My travelling life as a West Country hedgelayer
In Of Thorn & Briar, Paul Lamb tells of his almost nomadic existence repairing hedgerows in the English countryside — and why we should preserve this dying art.
THE SUNDAY TIMES
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Meet the hedgelayer with 200,000 followers
The 48-year-old set up his account (@westcountry_hedgelayer) less than five years ago, on the advice of his daughters who are both in their 20s.
MAIL ON SUNDAY - YOU MAGAZINE
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The man using social media to keep art of hedgelaying alive
Paul Lamb from Bridgwater has built up hundreds of thousands of followers online.
BBC RADIO SOMERSET - 07 April 2025
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Meet the hedgelayer reviving a craft rooted in the Middle Ages
From his converted Bedford lorry in Somerset, Paul Lamb is on a mission to restore Britain's lost hedgerows.
COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE
