hedgelaying course – 2 days
We have made some changes to our Course Program – please see our Course Update page for more information.
| date: | 9th – 10th November 2024 (full) 15th – 16th November 2025 |
| overview: | A practical, hands-on hedgelaying course, suitable for beginners and improvers. Use our coppiced stakes and binders (cut earlier in the season), and undertake an ancient hedge restoration and stock-proofing technique. An immensely satisfying and effective weekend. |
| start time: | day 1: 9.30am tea/ introductions for 10am start day 2: 10am |
| lunch: | approx 1pm – 2pm please bring a packed lunch. Hot drinks will be provided. |
| finish time: | approx 4.30pm |
| cost: | £220 per person (2025) |
| tutor: | John Waller |
| cancellations: | we will provide a full refund if you cancel your place more than 14 days in advance of the course start date. Please note that we will be unable to refund your course fee or transfer you to another course if you cancel your place less than 14 days before the start of the course. |
| what to wear: | wear sturdy shoes or boots at all times. Please also wear warm, comfortable clothes that are suitable for the current weather conditions. You will be outside for most of the course. |
| course size: | maximum of 8 participants |
| what to bring: | although all tools and materials will be provided, please feel free to bring along your own bill hook to avoid the need for sharing. Also you might find it more comfortable to wear knee pads if you have some. |
| how to book: | Booking Form |
| location: | courses and volunteer days are held at Bore Place, between Edenbridge and Sevenoaks, Kent. Bore Place is an environmental and educational charity on a 500 acre organic dairy farm, set in beautiful low weald countryside. Converted farm buildings and a Jacobean Manor House offer accommodation if required, with walks and local pubs to enjoy when you’re not wooding! Directions will be sent to you once you’ve booked on a course and can also be accessed from the Workshop Directions Page. |
| accommodation: | Depending on availability, there are cottages to rent on site for £185 per night (minimum of 2 nights). It is essential that you contact Bore Place in advance to book accommodation. Please call 01732 463255 or email bookings@boreplace.org. There are also two beautiful yurts and two cosy shepherds huts on site - see Free Range Glamping for more information. |
Submit your review | |
John was the perfect person for the event with his knowledge, enthusiasm and personality. His confidence and passion shone through.
The pace of the weekend was dictated by the weather and I much preferred the second day as it was hands on. I felt in my comfort zone but noticed some of the group flagging.
I was surprised to see 12 in the group. It wasn’t as intimate as I imagined.
I loved the centre and its ethos and would be very happy if there was a further opportunity in hedge laying to attend.
Thank you for your comments about the number of participants - we will keep it under review!
The course content was fantastic, I learnt a lot, not just hedgelaying (that's a given) but also about the structure of hedges and how the environment can affect a hedge in particular the dominant species, pruning...one for us gardeners 🙂 ...as well as tool sharpening, the different types of tools and the quality of tools.
John's natural tutorial style was first class, it also meant the course was easy to listen to and follow. Also for me, John didn't dictate the right way of doing it, instead he gave my team mate Jonathan and me enough wiggle room to think for ourselves and make mistakes, but learn from them from John. That I feel, is so important for a teacher to stand back because if we always do things correctly the first time, then we as students haven't learnt as much. That's my opinion, anyway 🙂
All in all it was a fantastic course and I am so glad that I attended it.
This was an informative and friendly couple of days with the right mixture of "talk" and "do". John is a good teacher and knows his stuff. The only downside is that blackthorn is very prickly!
What a wonderful two days out in the beautiful Kentish Wealden countryside. John has a lovely teaching style which is relaxed and thorough. I learnt a huge amount about general ecology alongside the technical aspects of hedge laying and tool management. This course has given me the capability and confidence to tackle my own hedges.
Thank you, Peter, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
A great two days. Relaxed, informative and very useful. John has a great all round knowledge, I learned a lot over the two days, will definitely be back for another course.
The two day hedge laying course was really informative, educational and at times humorous, John's tuition on this very old craft was easy to follow and we all came away more knowledgeable as a result. I'll be booking another Underwoodsman course, for sure