Friends of the Lake District Dry Stone Walling Competition 2026

There was a record turnout of wallers for our annual competition! Nearly 40 people took part in the Friends of the Lake District’s annual Dry Stone Walling Competition, which took place on Saturday 30 May at Barkin House Farm, Gatebeck, near Kendal. The competition was made up of four classes: Professional, Amateur, Novice, and Veterans, and the wallers had travelled from areas across the UK to take part. The event was the first opportunity for individuals to test their skills as part of the Dry Stone Walling Association’s Grand Prix, which is made up of six competitions taking place from May to August. Kelley Sproston-Heath, engagement lead for Friends of the Lake District said: “Dry stone walls are an essential part of our cultural heritage, providing borders for land and livestock lasting generations. The walls also provide valuable habitats for a variety of wildlife. As a landscape charity, we know how vital it is to keep the art of dry stone walling alive. Friends of the Lake District has run this competition since 1980 and it was great to see such a big turnout of competitors this year, showing that this cultural skill is thriving.” Thanks to ‪@georgecarrmedia‬ for this amazing video!