Sunday Stroll: Dry Stone Walls

Taking a stroll in the hills near Ashton, you are quite likely to see dry stone walls.

Dry stone walls are a common feature of the upland farming areas of the North of England. Miles and miles of these walls stretch across the hills, marking the boundaries of fields, many of which were created following the 18th century Enclosures Acts.

There is great skill in making these walls which, as you can see, are made of carefully placed stones using no cement or mortar. The walls are able to withstand strong winds and the extremes of temperature that are found in the Pennines.

These particular walls are close to my favourite photographic location of Hartshead Pike, on the hill between Ashton and Mossley, looking northwards towards Lees.

See Birds Eye View of this location.