We recently had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Will Coleman, the artistic director of Golden Tree Productions and the visionary behind Kerdroya, the Cornish labyrinth. We talked about his personal background, the creation of this monumental project, and the enduring power of Cornish heritage.
A Cultural Entrepreneur and a New Ancient Monument
Will describes himself as a "cultural entrepreneur," a term that perfectly encapsulates his career, which has spanned roles as a performer, author, musician, and educational consultant. His major projects, like the awe-inspiring Man Enginepuppet and now Kerdroya, are born from a deep-seated interest in Cornish language, identity, and "place-based" learning.
He calls Kerdroya a "brand new ancient monument," an idea that has been more than 20 years in the making. The concept sprang from a profound moment of insight, linking two ancient cultural phenomena: the 4,000-year-old tradition of Cornish hedges and the archaeological record of labyrinths, both of which date back to the Bronze Age in this part of Europe.
Will recalls the moment the idea "went ping" and he knew he had to build a labyrinth out of Cornish hedging. The idea, though simple, proved to be a formidable challenge, both in terms of construction and funding.
The Fight to Save a Dying Craft
One of the project's most significant hurdles was the declining art of Cornish hedging itself. Will discovered that the Guild of Cornish Hedgers was down to just 13 active members, all elderly. He knew they had to act fast to save the craft.
"We really just got there in time before the craft died away altogether," he explains.
Golden Tree Productions began running training programmes, which have since trained 60 new hedgers, helping to revitalise a critically important part of Cornish heritage. The demand for these skilled craftspeople is now enormous, with new projects like the A30 dualling and new cycle paths requiring authentic Cornish hedges.
A Project Built for the Future
Will's vision for Kerdroya is one that transcends his own lifetime. The project is an act of legacy, built with a mindset that it is "not really intended for us," but for "those yet to be born." This long-term perspective has helped him overcome monumental hurdles, from running out of money four times to a contractor walking off the job.
He sees the project as "slow art" that will outlive him and everyone involved in its creation. This is a bold statement given his comment that "the likelihood of humans outliving Kerdroya seems quite slim at the moment, doesn't it?"
The monument is a testament to the community. Will mentions that the amazing array of wildflowers now growing within the labyrinth are entirely self-seeded and not planted, adding to its organic connection to the landscape.
Folklore and the River Tamar
The conversation also touched on the deep, and sometimes painful, history that separates Cornwall from the rest of England. Will points out that the famous Oxford University genetic study on the People of the British Isles revealed that the biggest genetic diversity line in the whole of the British Isles runs along the River Tamar, mirroring a political and cultural boundary that has existed for centuries.
He challenges the myth that Cornwall was ever part of a larger kingdom called "Domnonia," arguing it was a separate entity known as "Cornubia" that resisted English colonisation for centuries. He cites the controversial story of Athelstan, the king of Wessex, who, in 926 AD, supposedly "cleansed" Exeter of its British population, forcing them to live west of the Tamar.
For Will, this history and the unique geological diversity of Cornwall explain why the specific craft of Cornish hedging evolved here and not elsewhere in the UK.
The Difference Between a Maze and a Labyrinth
Will clarified a common misconception: a labyrinth is not a maze.
A maze (or milhintal in Cornish, meaning 'a thousand dead ends') is a puzzle designed to confuse and get you lost.
A labyrinth (Kerdroya in Cornish) is a single, winding path that takes you on a meditative journey to the centre and back again, a place to "find yourself."
This distinction highlights the contemplative and ceremonial nature of the labyrinth, a theme that is at the heart of the Kerdroya project. Will argues that ancient labyrinths were likely a form of ceremonial dancing or ritual, and that the modern-day interpretation of them as puzzles is simply a misremembering of this pagan past.
Help Build the Legacy
The project is still ongoing, and Will explains that they will be closed over the next three winters (September to March) to continue construction. You can help support the completion of this remarkable monument by purchasing a "hedge pledge" or a fine art print.
For more information, or to buy a yard of hedge and leave your own message to the future, visit kerdroya.org.