Chestnut Cleft Fencing

Cleft fencing is the original method by which our ancestors fenced their land thousands of years ago. Still continued today by a few skilled craftsmen, cleft chestnut fencing makes a durable, and very strong, attractive barrier.

The best materials for this are sweet chestnut; which has a high resilient strength, is suitable to cleave or split and has a high natural tannin content protecting the wood from rot. Chestnut with its very high tannin content and minimal sap wood provides the best durability as posts set into the ground. A lifespan of approximately 12 to 15 years would be expected.

All materials are locally harvested and riven (split) by hand into posts, rails or upright broad pales.

Matching gates from riven chestnut and oak are available.

Post and Rail Cleft Fencing - enlarge photo for material costs and reference number

<span>Ref: A1</span><br>A three rail cleft chestnut fence for The National Trust at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A2</span><br>Riven chestnut rails morticed into posts for the National Trust at Woolsthorpe Manor, Grantham. Top rail at 4', materials approx £38.06/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A3</span><br>A 2 rail cleft chestnut fence set above a drop in this garden, helping prevent children accidentally falling off. Little Eaton, Derby. Top rail at 3', materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A4</span><br>Newly acquired land to extend the garden, is fenced off with an attractive 3 rail fence, Wheatcroft, Derbyshire. Top rail at 4', materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A5</span><br>Each set of rails has a similar shape since they are riven from the same log. Top rail at 4', materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A6</span><br>Cleft chestnut paddock fence with four rails. Note the round corner posts. Top rail at 4', materials approx £38.06/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A7</span><br>This riven chestnut fence delineates this orchard with style. Top rail at 4', materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A8</span><br>Cleft chestnut fencing can separate a garden from the countryside in a more gentle manner than a standard agricultural post and rail fence.Top rail at 4', materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A9</span><br>Here, a simple two rail riven fence breaks up a large garden, incorporating a decorative arch. Top rail at 3', materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A10</span><br>Traditional cleft fencing fits well in a rural setting of woods, field and hedgerows. Top rail at 4', materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A11</span><br>This chestnut fence at 3’6” high separates the drive from the animals in the fields; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A12</span><br>This 2 rail cleft chestnut fence boarders an access ramp overlooking Bonsall Dale in the Peak District; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A13</span><br>A two rail cleft chestnut fence, separating the orchard from the wildflower meadow, Beeston Castle, Cheshire; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A14</span><br>We use sturdy materials for our estate fencing, as seen here for The National Trust at Styal Mill, Cheshire; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A15</span><br>This cleft fence keeps horses and walkers safely on the bridleway; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A16</span><br>Sawn chestnut posts here made it easier to sink them into the bedrock along this track on the valley side, for The National Trust, Cheshire; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A17</span><br>Tractor and an empty trailer at the end of a job; we have the machinery to tackle any sized contract.

<span>Ref: A18</span><br>A cleft chestnut fence separating the mown lawn from the rough grassed orchard, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A19</span><br>A 4’ high cleft chestnut fence lining the Cinder Track from the mill to Dunham Massey Estate, National Trust, Cheshire; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A20</span><br>This cleft fence is strong enough to prevent the black bull from wandering; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A21</span><br>This short section of square cleft post and rail shows the weathering of the wood as it turns a silver colour; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A22</span><br>The two rail chestnut fence makes an attractive safety barrier whilst mowing the lawn, Oxford; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A23</span><br>Square cleft chestnut posts replacing an old fence in this pony paddock, Southwell, Nottinghamshire; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A24</span><br>A natural fork step over/squeeze stile in chestnut; £144 inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A25</span><br>A natural fork step over/squeeze stile in chestnut; £144 inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A26</span><br>A 3 rail cleft chestnut fence sent by pallet to Cornwall, installed by the client; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A27</span><br>A repeat order for more fencing allowed me to take this photo of how the chestnut is weathering in after five years; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A28</span><br>Four rail cleft chestnut with square cleft posts, as compared to half round posts, Ashbourne, Derbyshire; materials approx £38.06/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A29</span><br>Cleft chestnut with sawn chestnut posts, Cardiff; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A30</span><br>Heavy duty chestnut estate fencing, designed to last, Blithfield Manor, Staffordshire; materials approx £38.06/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A31</span><br>A low cleft rail delineating the paths within a woodland garden, Windsor, London; materials approx £10.30/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A32</span><br>A 2 rail cleft fence separating the garden from the paddock, Welsh Boarders; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A33</span><br>4 rail cleft fence, Oreleton Manor, Herefordshire: materials approx £38.06/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A34</span><br>2 rail cleft fence keeping the horses away from the drive, Ellesmere, Shropshire; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A35</span><br>3 rail cleft fence with square cleft posts, Willot Hall, Cheshire; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A36</span><br>3 rail cleft fence installed by the client, Chesterfield, Derbyshire; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A37</span><br>A 3 rail cleft chestnut fence around a new timber garage, Sedburgh, Cumbria; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A38</span><br>Fencing off a pond from the field with a 3 rail fence, Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A39</span><br>A dew pond fenced off from stock animals, with square cleft posts, to preserve its unique aquatic wildlife, Monyash, Peak District; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A40</span><br>The above image in winter snow, at the very top of Lathkill Dale, Monyash, Derbyshire.

<span>Ref: A41</span><br>Another dew pond fenced off using square cleft posts, to protect its wildlife, as part of a preservation project for Natural England in the Peak District; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A42</span><br>A rectangular fence around a dew pond for Natural England, using square cleft posts, Lathkill Dale, Monyash, Peak District; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A43</span><br>Dew pond, visible from the road as you enter Monyash from the east, as part of the Peak District dew pond restoration project, with square cleft posts; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A44</span><br>3 rail fencing with square cleft posts, around a dew pond on unimproved upland limestone grassland at Wardlow Hay Cop, above Cressbrook Dale, Peak District; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A45</span><br>Another dew pond fenced off with square cleft posts from animals, overlooking Monsall Dale, Peak District; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A46</span><br>A 2 rail fence with square cleft posts by a footpath in Lathkill Dale, Over Haddon, Peak District; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A47</span><br>A 2 rail fence with square cleft posts, protecting the riverside vegetation from walkers, River Lathkill, Over Haddon, Peak District; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A48</span><br>A tree guard 1.2 x 1.2 metres built for the National Trust at Ilam Hall, Dove Dale; materials approx £130 each inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A49</span><br>Cleft chestnut guards, screwed together 1.2 x 1.2 metres, protecting orchard trees for the National Trust at Ilam Hall, Dove Dale; materials approx £130 each inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A50</span><br>Cleft fence ended against a leaning tree; a leaning baton is attached to the tree with oak pegs driven into pre drilled holes in the trunk; then the horizontal cleft rails are screwed onto this stout baton.

<span>Ref: A51</span><br>These rails can be taken out of the fence to allow occasional access for machinery.

<span>Ref: A52</span><br>New cleft chestnut rails at Lindisfarne Castle, overlooking the North Sea

<span>Ref: A53</span><br>Job finished on the access ramp at the end of the day, looking out to sea, Lindisfarne Castle, Holy island.

<span>Ref: A54</span><br>2 rail cleft fence, with stock netting attached, keeping in the pigs, Church Stretton, Shropshire; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A55</span><br>2 rail cleft fence next to footpath, Chebsey, Staffordshire; materials approx £22.31/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A56</span><br>3 rail cleft chestnut fence on a roadside bank, Kelsall, Cheshire; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

<span>Ref: A57</span><br>3 rail cleft chestnut fence protecting a front green on a farm, Drayton Basset, Tamworth, West Midlands; materials approx £30.18/metre inc. VAT.

Cleft Pale Fencing

<span>Ref: A60</span><br>This cleft medieval deer park style fence fits nicely with the new cedar greenhouse, and it keeps the chickens off the vegetable garden, Lyme Park, Cheshire; materials approx £55.63/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A61</span><br>Cleft chestnut pales at 3’ high specified for this Grade One listed building, Altringham, Manchester; materials approx £48.28/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A62</span><br>For a more private feel, these 6’ pales are butted close together leaving minimum spacing, Grindleford; materials approx £131.14/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A63</span><br>Riven chestnut pales at 4’ attached to cleft rails which are screwed to 4” square chestnut posts, Knutsford, Cheshire; materials approx £56.94/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A64</span><br>4’ cleft chestnut pales with morticed square cleft chestnut posts, the posts blend with the pales; materials approx £56.94/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A65</span><br>Cleft pale fence at 4’ with cleft rails morticed into posts, stops children tumbling into the road in this Grade 2 listed cottage, Staffordshire; materials approx £56.94/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A66</span><br>A 4’ medieval deer fence with matching gate and arch outside this old cottage, Grindleford, Derbyshire; materials approx £55.63/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A67</span><br>This 4’ cleft pale fence gives enough light and air to allow the newly planted hedge to grow, Knutsford, Cheshire; materials approx £56.94/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A68</span><br>The inside of this pale fence shows cleft chestnut rails and sawn chestnut posts, Knutsford, Cheshire; materials approx £56.94/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A69</span><br>5' high cleft pale fence, Stannington, Sheffield; materials approx £67.78/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A70</span><br>A 4' high cleft pale fence for the chicken run, Harrogate; materials approx £56.94/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A71</span><br>A 3' high medieval cleft pale fence in a domestic setting, Heanor, Nottinghamshire; materials approx £40.65/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A72</span><br>A 4' high cleft pale fence around a woodland, National Trust at Shugborough, Staffordshire; materials approx £56.94/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A73</span><br>The national Trust at Shugborough, Staffordshire.

<span>Ref: A74</span><br>A 3' high cleft pale fence around a play area at Newhaven Caravan park, Derbyshire; materials approx £48.28/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A75</span><br>A 3' high cleft pale fence around a parking area area, Brailsford, Derbyshire; materials approx £48.28/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A76</span><br>A 4' high cleft pale fence installed by the client; materials approx £48.28/metre inc. VAT

<span>Ref: A77</span><br>Cleft pale fence at 2' high around this vegetable patch, Lincoln; materials approx £39.62/metre inc. VAT

Oak and chestnut gates

All of our gates are made of oak or chestnut with mortice and tennon joints, held tight with oak pegs. Find Out More

Dog Fence

One of our latest projects was to install this cleft chestnut fence to keep the client’s dog off the veg patch. View Project

Lindisfarne Castle

Replacing the old cleft oak rails and some of the sawn posts with new cleft chestnut, here on the access ramp up to Lindisfarne Castle. View Case Study

Chestnut & Oak Cleft Fencing - Prices

For materials in chestnut, including VAT

Rails – standard length of 9’6″ ( 2.9 metres) at £18.00 giving 9’ ( 2.75 metres ) centres for the posts

Posts – for a 3’ to 4′ high fence, £18 each plus £3.60 per mortice hole (to accept a pair of rails). Above this height add £6.00 per foot

Pales – feather edged pales suitable for picket fencing; £1.44 per foot approximately 3 inches wide.

Delivery and instalment is available; an estimate of £48 a post plus delivery.

For installations using pales, an extra £36 per bay is charged.

Please contact us for more details and a quote