Of Thorn & Briar : A Year with the West Country Hedgelayer

An enthralling book celebrating the benefits of hedgerows in our countryside and a way of living that has all but disappeared in recent decades, perfect for fans of The Shepherd’s Life.

*** THE INSTANT TOP TEN BESTSELLER ***HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR THE 2025 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING SHORTLISTED FOR THE RICHARD JEFFERIES AWARDPaul Lamb is a hedgelayer. He lives in his wagon and works to the rhythm of the seasons, a way of life that has almost vanished. From the end of summer until the birds nest in the spring, he travels the south-west corner of England, maintaining the ancient boundaries of our nation. As traditional management techniques are lost to modernisation, hedgerows and the wildlife they support have declined dramatically. Paul has devoted decades to saving and rejuvenating this important but often forgotten part of Britain's countryside. Of Thorn & Briar is Paul’s spellbinding account of living in partnership with the land, practising his craft with skill and preserving our heritage for future generations. Once you’ve read it, you will never look at the humble hedgerow in the same way again. ‘[A] beguiling book . . . this spare but elegant account is an unexpected delight, and as soothing as a walk down a tree-dappled lane at sunset’ Daily Mail ‘Gentle, evocative and compelling’ Patrick Barkham, The Oldie ‘This is a delightful book and one that deserves to enter the pantheon of distinguished Nature writing’ Country Life