The National Stone Centre, set in 50acres of Derbyshire countryside near Wirksworth, is holding a number of dry stone walking courses this year for beginners and improvers.

For beginners, spaces are available on the following dates:

2-3 July – 3 spaces available

23-24 July – 5 spaces available

27-28 August – 10 spaces available

10-11 September – 9 spaces available

24-25 September – 10 spaces available

8-9 October – 10 spaces available

The new improvers course that builds on the skills gained on the dry stone walling course will cover banking, wall ends, steps, rockeries and other stone features in the garden, as well as the geological context of the stone and stone sourcing.

You will need to complete the dry stone walling course before attending this course as you will need the skills from the beginners course in order to be able to benefit from the improvers course.

Places are available on the following dates:

23-24 July – 7 spaces available

1-2 October – 9 spaces available

Places on the courses can be given as a gift token from the Stone Centre. For details of this and the courses, visit the National Stone Centre website by clicking on the address below.