Sheepdrove Walking Tour: Coppicing & Hedgelaying

 Discover coppicing and hedgelaying: rural crafts that help the countryside thrive with life.

Join us on Thursday 3rd December 2026 for a free walking tour of the ancient woodland and surrounding grounds, where coppicing and hedgelaying are enjoying a revival. Both projects began in early autumn and will run through the winter, as these are seasonal skills. In the darker months, the life of hardy woody plants is drawn down into the roots, making it the best time to care for the trees, with no nesting birds to disturb either.

The coppicing produces hazel sticks and binders, a key part of hedgelaying, where they are woven together to create a robust and beautiful (even edible) living fence. Come and see the journey behind this circular, in-house system with the lowest travel miles hazel Sheepdrove could source!

This event is for all levels of interest and knowledge. It’s an introduction to these rural crafts and also a deep dive into expertise with Tom Fortune (Fortune & Sons Hedgelaying), Sheepdrove’s resident and local specialist woodsman and hedgelayer, alongside other key members of the Sheepdrove team such as Sam Woodward, Sheepdrove's Ecosystems Manager. 

You’ll see these crafts in action, though please note this is an informative walking tour rather than a hands-on workshop. Children are welcome, please note that there will not be specific children focused activities. 

What is coppicing?
Coppicing is an ancient woodland management technique that was once used to ensure a regular supply of wood in the UK, before cheaper sourcing moved the trade abroad. At Sheepdrove, we are reviving this gentle, low-impact craft, which is sensitive to the delicate species of the woodland. It creates new habitats for plants and wildlife, dramatically increasing the diversity of species that thrive there. So coppicing creates something useful to us, and it's also valuable work for the woodland.

Why are we coppicing at Sheepdrove?
Nut Wood is an ancient woodland and a very special place, nestled just behind the Green Venue next to the lake. It provides a wonderful habitat for an abundance of wildlife and, like many woods around the UK and beyond, has changed over its lifetime through human influence. We are rediscovering our connection to this woodland, learning its ways and working out the best practices for managing its trees and other species. We think coppicing will be one of the ways to approach this.

We are therefore coppicing hazel in Nut Wood as part of our woodland management plan. Rotational coppicing on a seven-year cycle (tbc) allows the hazel stools to regenerate and start the process once again. This lets more light reach the woodland floor, benefiting the flora and fauna of the ecosystem. Bluebells, wood anemones and marsh marigolds commonly thrive as a result.

The hazel stakes and binders are being used by our hedgelayer Tom on this winter’s hedgelaying project at the Burial Barrow.

What is hedgelaying?
Hedgelaying is a traditional countryside craft used to turn an overgrown, gappy hedge into a dense, stock-proof barrier. Each stem is partly cut near the base and gently laid over at an angle, leaving just enough living tissue to keep it growing. Hazel stakes are driven in at intervals, and flexible binders are woven along the top to hold everything in place. In spring, fresh growth shoots from the base, thickening the hedge and creating a sheltered home for birds, small mammals and insects, creating what’s known as biodiversity corridors. It is a skill that’s been passed down over generations, with regional styles across the UK.

Why come on this walking tour?
Enjoy a beautiful countryside walk, see the work in action, meet the people in this trade, and learn about woodland management and the traditional crafts of coppicing and hedgelaying.

The details

• Date: Thursday 3rd December 2026
• Time: 10am to midday (a two-hour walking tour)
• Price: Free
• Capacity: 30 people
• Age range: All welcome, though there will not be specific children focused activities. 
• Location: Meet in the Green Venue at the heart of Sheepdrove Organic Farm for a warm cuppa. We’ll then walk to the coppicing in the ancient woodland and on to the Burial Barrow to see Tom's hedgelaying in action.

What to bring

• Sturdy footwear, as the paths are uneven
• Waterproofs (please check the weather before you arrive)
• A water bottle and snacks, as we’ll be outdoors for most of the two hours

Weather: We plan to run this event in most weather conditions, except extreme rain or wind. We will email you 24 hours before to cancel.

Any questions, email us on: info@sheepdrove.com