Kerdroya, The Cornish Landscape Labyrinth, opens to public

Kerdroya, The Cornish Landscape Labyrinth, opens to public: More than 140,000 stones have been laid by hand across 445m of Cornish hedging to create Kerdroya and now, after a monumental effort from master hedgers, community groups, and the inspired vision of its creator, Will Coleman, the monumental labyrinth will be open to the public from 21 March.

An ambitious and creative land art project, Kerdroya is an enduring legacy to the craft of Cornish hedging – a 56-metre-wide labyrinth, built using traditional stone hedging techniques. The project is a celebration of Cornwall’s rich landscape, the diverse geology, flora and fauna that shape the land and bring the unique rugged charm which remains in the hearts of Cornish folk across the world.

Will Coleman, creator of the project, is also inventor of the giant mechanical puppet – The Man Engine, a celebration of Cornish mining and its diaspora. He said: “The appeal of Kerdroya is multi-faceted. It’s communal, spiritual and educational. It is a tribute to Cornwall’s timeless craft of stone hedging, a tradition as enduring as the granite kingdom itself. Every stone laid carries a story. It’s our landscape and our heritage, woven together, for the next 4000 years.”

The name Kerdroya is taken from historical turf mazes, often named ‘Troy Town’ in English or ‘Caerdroia’ in Welsh. In Cornish spelling this gives us ‘Kerdroya’, a name that could also have an appropriate alternative translation – ‘Castle of Turnings’. The classical labyrinthine design stretches as far back as the ancient Egyptians and is also steeped in Greek myth and legend. Fitting, since Kerdroya is situated at South West Water’s Colliford Lake in the heart of Cornwall’s mythical land of legend, Bodmin Moor.

Visitors to the site can meander along a 750m winding path to the heart of the labyrinth, where they will discover a masterpiece of engineered art by local father and son team, Thomas and Gary Thrussell. From there, they may stop a while to take in the expansive view of Colliford Lake and its surrounding moorland.

To add to the experience, it is possible to download a guided tour and find out more about the different geology and styles of hedging found throughout Cornwall. Visitors will also discover the many messages from hedge pledgers; individuals and organisations who have each sponsored a ‘yard of hedge’. Pledges are as diverse as historical moments in time: mindful messages, musings in the Cornish language and memorials to loved ones.

Will Coleman said: “Kerdroya is more than just a place to visit—it is a place to reflect, to reconnect, and to celebrate Cornwall’s landscape and spirit.” In Cornish, he says: “Yn milhyntal yth omgellir, yn Kerdroya yth omgevir (In a maze you get lost, but in a labyrinth, you find yourself).”

He continued: “Allowing public access to Kerdroya is a major milestone in the evolution of Kerdroya, However, we’re not done yet, and we do still need more funding to be able to continue the work and bring our vision to its full reality.”

Further information, including how to become part of the Kerdroya story and its next phase of construction, can be found via www.kerdroya.org. Entrance to the site is free, parking is payable at the adjacent Colliford Lake car park.

Download the Places and Trails app, for a guided tour and story of Kerdroya.

The project has been supported by: Cornwall National Landscape, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Cornwall Council, South West Lakes Trust, South West Water, FEAST, Arts Council England, Guild of Cornish Hedgers, CREST, local corporate sponsors, and community funding.

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