Human influence within the Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape can be traced back more than 5,000 years. Buildings and settlements constructed from local limestone, dating back to Medieval times, around 800 years ago, are scattered throughout and contribute to the character and quality of the area. Limestone wall field boundaries, limestone solution features in boundary walls and buildings, and limekilns are key features.
Many of the landscape features are associated with farming - such as hedgerows, drystone walls, farmsteads and field barns. These features have relied on rural skills in the area for their restoration and maintenance. Drystone walls are more than just historic field boundaries though, they provide shelter for stock and a vital habitat for lichens, mosses, reptiles and small mammals, making homes or traversing across the landscape..
In the modern day there is a real threat that these traditional boundaries will deteriorate and be lost forever, as farming practices change and skills are lost.
The National Landscape partnership helps protected the historic environment through a variety of schemes and projects. In 2001 the Heritage Lottery funded Limestone Heritage Project helped restore a significant proportion of walls in the area, supporting training and involving local organisations, experts and contractors.
Nearly 25 years on the need for drystone wall restoration and repair remains. Currently we support volunteering, help partner organisations, fund projects and run training and competitions on an annual basis.
In May 2025, held in partnership with the Friends of the Lake District, we hosted one of the 6 Grand Prix events in the north of England. At the stunning location of Leighton Hall, 20 competitors from across the north of England, Scotland and Wales came, bidding to be crowned champion waller. Barney Murray from North Wales won top prize with an excellent section of walling.
For more advice about drystone walls, projects or funding get in touch with the team.
