Mill Scar Dry Stone Walling Training Day
- Enjoy a day outside in the Yorkshire air
- Learn a new skill & meet new people
- Free to attend
This event has now concluded.
For details of current and upcoming special events at the NYMR, please visit our What’s On pages.
Mill Scar is a dry stone railway wall built in the 1860s to keep people and livestock safe from the steep embankment and railway below, running nearly 700m from Goathland Station to Darnholme. Thanks to our drystone walling team and funding from the North York Moors National Park Strategic Boundary Fund, we're restoring 450m of it over three years.
Every year, we open the project up to the public. Last October, over 60 people joined our open day. This year, we're doing things differently, running two smaller, focused training days so you can properly learn the skill, not just watch it.
The Experience
Drystone walling is built with local stone and no mortar, a skill passed down through patience and knowledge of the local landscape. Each day is limited to nine participants, split into three groups of three, each with a dedicated instructor.
You'll learn the terms and techniques of a proper North Yorkshire wall, from coping stones and heartings to smouts, the small gaps left for wildlife such as hares to pass through. By the end of the day, you'll have helped build a genuine section of Mill Scar wall.
Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October 2026, 10am to 4pm. Each day runs independently, so you only need to book onto one.
Open to adults aged 18 and over. Free to attend, but places are limited and booking is essential. If you have booked and need to cancel, please let us know so that the spaces can be released for other participants.
We'll provide PPE. Please bring sturdy footwear (safety boots if you have them), clothing you don't mind getting scratched or dirty, and a packed lunch and drinks.
Access note: This training day involves a steep hill and uneven, moorland ground, so participants need to be able to manage this terrain comfortably. Please get in touch beforehand if you have any questions about accessibility. No dogs, please, other than assistance dogs.
