Cleft Hurdle Making

Here’s another Award-Winning Course from Explore the Great Outdoors, Winners of the Best Woodland Courses 2019.

About the Course

Cleft gates was essential in traditional British farming and dates back centuries. Originating from the need for portable, robust fencing, these hurdles were primarily used to control livestock movements. The construction process begins by selecting young, straight ash wood, prized for its resilience and flexibility. Using a tool called a froe, the wood is split along its grain into long, thin strips. These strips, or "clefts,"they are then shaped using a draw knife, and then fixed between two vertical stakes using a mortis and tenant joint.

The tenant is shaped using a draw knife and the mortise is made using a twybil. This method of splitting rather than sawing maintains the wood's natural strength, ensuring durability. The craft of making ash cleft gate hurdles saw a decline with modern fencing materials but has experienced a revival due to a renewed interest in sustainable and traditional farming techniques.

Today, these hurdles are appreciated for their historical significance and aesthetic beauty.

On this one day workshop you will make your own mini traditional wooden Cleft Gate Hurdle to take home with you.

This course is a great opportunity to learn new skills in a beautiful woodland setting.

Discover how to cleave wood with a froe and shape with a drawknife. Have a go at using a Twybil, also known as a Mortising knife

This course will be run at our site near Warminster.

One Day Course 9.30am to 4pm

Maximum course size 6 candidates

Make your own traditional wooden Cleft Gate Hurdle to take home with you.

This course is a great opportunity to learn new skills in a beautiful woodland setting.

Discover how to cleave wood with a froe and shape with a drawknife.

Have a go at using a Twybil, also known as a Mortising knife.

What's included in the price?

All tools and materials are provided and no previous experience is necessary, The kettle is always on for hot drinks, which we will provide along with biscuits. You will also need to bring sturdy shoes or boots and wear suitable clothing for working outdoors.

Please note this course will run from our Warminster woodland site.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Warminster, United Kingdom