A NATIONAL walling competition is set to be held on Dartmoor for the first time this year.

Bringing together skilled wallers from across the UK for a live showcase of a traditional rural craft, the Ellwood Classic Walling Competition will take place on Saturday, June 27, at Merrivale, Princetown.

With professional, veteran and amateur competitors building stone structures against the clock, visitors will be able to watch the action unfold, learn about the techniques involved and even try their hand at walling through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

This year’s event will present a unique challenge for competitors, as it will focus on the construction of Devon banks rather than traditional dry stone walls.

Devon banks feature an earth core with two stone faces bound by soil and vegetation, creating a distinctive sloping structure known as a batter.

The event will also include hot food stalls and refreshments provided by Dartmoor Brewery.

Families and dogs on leads are welcome to attend, with parking available for £5 per car.

The competition is sponsored by the Dartmoor Preservation Association, with support from the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, Dartmoor Brewery and the Dartmoor National Park Authority.

The Ellwood Classic was first held in Cumbria in 2019 and is named after Ted Ellwood, a celebrated competition waller.

The event travels annually to different parts of the UK to promote inclusivity and showcase regional walling traditions.

Dry stone walling has a long history in Britain, with evidence dating back thousands of years.

On Dartmoor, these structures remain an iconic feature of the landscape, traditionally used to define boundaries and manage livestock.