Of Thorn & Briar

A Year with the West Country Hedgelayer

By: Paul Lamb

Write A Review

Hardcover | 16 July 2025

At a Glance

Hardcover
304 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
24 x 16.5 x 3.5

Hardcover

RRP $45.00

$39.75

12%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $9.94 with

or

Ships in 3 to 5 business days

*** THE INSTANT TOP TEN BESTSELLER ***

‘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 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

'It is impossible not to like Lamb, or this book' – Sunday Times

*** SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING ***

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.

Industry Reviews

‘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.’

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $0.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.

14%
OFF

AFN Australian Fish Guide

AFN Fish ID

Flexi Bound Book

RRP $29.99

$24.99

17%
OFF

Wild Food Plants of Australia

Paperback

RRP $34.99

$28.75

18%
OFF

Gemstones and Minerals of Australia

Updated Edition

Paperback

RRP $34.99

$28.75

18%
OFF

Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney

Paperback

RRP $59.99

$39.75

34%
OFF

Australia's Most Dangerous Spiders : Spiders - RILEY KATHY

$48.99

25%
OFF

Of Thorn & Briar

A Year with the West Country Hedgelayer

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Paperback

More in Nature & The Natural World

The Dog's Gaze

A Visual History

Honeybees

The Wonders of the Hive and How to Help Them Thrive

Remembering Earth

A Spiritual Ecology

Canis dingo

Understanding Australia's Apex Predator

The Serviceberry

An Economy of Gifts and Abundance

Diddly Squat

The Farmer's Dog

A Bird's IQ

innovation, intelligence, and problem-solving in the avian world

The Story of Birds

An Evolutionary History of the Dinosaurs That Live Among Us

The Book of Birds

A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss

Flow Hive's Book of Bees and Beekeeping

Protect, Enjoy, Harvest

The Mushroomery

Grow, harvest and cook incredible mushrooms

Lunacy

Ten False Promises of the New Space Age

AFN Australian Fish Guide

AFN Fish ID

Wild Food Plants of Australia

Gemstones and Minerals of Australia

Updated Edition

Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney

Australia's Most Dangerous Spiders

Spiders

That's Not My Bee

Usborne Touchy-Feely Baby Book

Platypus Matters

The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals

100 Australian Butterflies, Bees, Beetles & Bugs

Bush Tukka Guide

2nd Edition - 60+ bush foods and recipes

The Horse Encyclopedia

DK Pet Encyclopedias

Resident Dog

Incredible Homes and the Dogs That Live There

Resident Dog: Volume 2

Incredible Dogs and the International Homes They Live In

This product is categorised by