Of Thorn & Briar

A Year with the West Country Hedgelayer

De: Paul Lamb

Narrado por: Paul Lamb

‘Gentle and timeless, Paul is the authentic voice of the countryside. This is the story of a man at one with the land.’ – Lara Maiklem, author of Mudlarking

Paul Lamb is a hedgelayer. From the end of summer until the birds nest in the spring, he maintains the ancient boundaries of the British countryside. He lives in his wagon, as many itinerant farm workers used to, and travels the south-west corner of England, restoring an important but often forgotten part of our country.

Hedgerows are a living structure, woven into the fabric of rural life, a vital aspect of man’s partnership with nature. As traditional management techniques are lost to modernisation, hedges have declined dramatically. Paul works alone and by hand to rejuvenate these linear woodlands, saving the homes of the wildlife that rely on them and bringing many other ecological benefits.

Following the rhythm of the seasons, Of Thorn & Briar describes Paul’s life on the road and the practical aspects of his job. It is about practising a craft with skill, preserving our heritage for future generations and celebrating the glory of the landscape he’s spent his life caring for.

©2025 Paul Lamb (P)2025 Simon & Schuster UK

Reseñas de la Crítica

‘A love letter to the British countryside, Of Thorn & Briar combines vivid and beautiful nature writing with an enchanting portrait of the ancient art of hedgelaying. Paul’s passion for his craft is woven into every page, making for a radiant, warm-hearted and life-affirming read.’ (Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters)

‘A beautiful and rare book written by a man who has earned his knowledge the hard way – working woods and field edges over years. There is love and grace here. The authenticity sings.’ (Ben Short, author of Burn)

‘Paul Lamb has written a book of truth about a hidden world. A book to be read slowly to savour every last ounce of its magnificent storytelling. A hymn to a world we all need to know and care more about. I loved it.’ (John Connell, number one bestselling author of The Cow Book and Twelve Sheep. )

‘Paul’s writing has transformed the way I view and connect with our local landscape. As a fellow West Country dweller and avid gardener, it is an immense privilege to learn from such authentic local insights and traditional knowledge.’ (Ramona Jones, @monalogue, author of Growing)

‘Evoking landscapes that often recall the novels of Thomas Hardy, [Lamb’s] book – charmingly illustrated by woodcuts by Robin Mackenzie – beautifully conveys the rhythm of the seasons as he describes how the British countryside is shaped by these ancient boundaries and ecological treasure troves.’ (Caroline Sanderson)

‘It’s as if the Green Man himself had written a hymn to the English countryside, its natural history, its rural craftsmen and those who continue, against all odds, to work this ancient land. Pleasingly old-fashioned, immersive, honest, informative and true, Of Thorn & Briar is written by a master craftsman and a true countryman, a man who has had the courage to tread his own path. Paul Lamb lives it, touches it – the land, its trees, its plants and its people. His world is the cycling of day into night, of winter into summer and back again; he writes about outdoor living and the hard physical graft of the rural labourer, out in all weathers, all seasons. He is part of this land’s story, and after reading his book you’ll not look at a hedge, or small farm, or our land, in the same way again.’ (Dan Boothby, author of Island of Dreams)