From wool weaving to dry stone walling, the UK is home to a wide range of rural skills that have shaped the nation past and present. Discover more about these countryside crafts on your next Best Western break.
Published: Monday, 6 October 2025
From dry stone walling in the Lake District to traditional cider-making in the orchards of Somerset, countryside crafts are at the beating heart of Britain’s rural heritage.
Not only have these skills shaped the landscape for generations, but they offer a unique way to slow down, connect with nature and pick up a talent or two that’s far more useful than any fridge magnet or keyring.
Join us on a journey to explore the UK, one rural skill at a time.
It was farmers’ need to mark their land and keep their flocks from wandering off that led to the rise of dry stone walls.
The art of stacking stones without any cement or mortar isn’t easy but does have a rustic appeal. Today, you’ll see dry stone walls nearly everywhere in the countryside and the Lake District. As well as protecting livestock and giving small creatures somewhere to hide, they also help create that postcard-perfect patchwork that makes the region so special.
If you’re keen to spot some of the finest examples, head to Borrowdale, Langdale, or the slopes of Helvellyn. Even better, you can sign up for a course and try your hand at building your own stretch of wall.
Book your stay at the Ambleside Salutation Hotel to get close to the wall building action.
Nicknamed ‘The Potteries’, Stoke-on-Trent has been Britain’s epicentre for all things ceramics for over 300 years. From delicate teacups to bold, hand-painted tiles, ceramics is all about transforming humble clay into something beautiful and useful.
Today, you can see this tradition in action at places like Middleport Pottery or the World of Wedgwood, where skilled potters spin, shape, and glaze their creations with expert ease.
Browsing the factory shops or have a go on the potter’s wheel yourself, where you’ll find there’s something deeply satisfying about getting your hands dirty and creating a piece of your own. Who knows what masterpiece you’ll create?
Book a break at the Best Western The George Hotel just a lump of clay’s throw away.
Ever wondered how much work goes into making cider? Neither had we, not until we explored Somerset.
The home of cheddar cheese is also one of the biggest cider-producing counties in the UK. From small scale orchards making farmhouse cider, to large commercial operations producing a smooth refined tipple, Somerset and cider go hand in hand.
The county’s mild, damp climate is perfect for growing a wide variety of cider apples, which you can see for yourself during an orchard tour. Witness the cider-making process up close for yourself, blend your own batch to take home, and raise your glasses to a rural skill that deserves your appreciation.
Unwind at the Best Western The Royal Chase Hotel, located on the outskirts of Shaftesbury.
You’ll find threads of wool weaving all across Wales. The craft has been a big deal for generations, and with hills full of fluffy sheep and unpredicatable weather that practically begs for layers, it comes as no surprise.
Back in the day, farmers raised the sheep, families spun the yarn, and local mills did the weaving. These days, places like the National Wool Museum in Carmarthenshire and old-school working mills dotted across Mid and North Wales are keeping the tradition alive.
Visit Wales and stay at the Best Western Premier Heronston Hotel & Spa to find out more and even try weaving yourself if you're feeling crafty.
