The Wagon

The Lillyrose is a characterful Bedford TK horse box that Paul lovingly converted into a tiny home on wheels. What began as a practical shelter for life on the road quickly became much more—a place of warmth, creativity, and quiet resilience. For six years, Paul lived in the Lillyrose while travelling across the countryside, hedgelaying. With its wood-burning stove, handmade wooden interior, and carefully arranged living space, the wagon provided everything he needed as he followed the seasonal rhythm of traditional rural work.

During that time, the Lillyrose became more than just a home—it was also the place where Paul wrote his best-selling book, Of Thorn & Briar, capturing memories from the hedgerows and reflections from a life lived simply and close to the land. Every sentence was shaped within its timbered walls, surrounded by his beloved books and the sounds of the natural world outside. The wagon’s quiet, off-grid setting proved the perfect backdrop for writing, thinking, and creating.

Recently, Paul gave the Lillyrose a complete refurbishment, adding a mollycroft roof for more headroom, larger windows to better connect with the outdoors, and a bigger bed space for extra comfort. Now settled in a peaceful clearing beside a woodland in Gower, the wagon has a new role: it will serve as a base for Paul’s hedgelaying courses, offering a warm, welcoming hub for students to gather, learn, and share in the timeless craft that’s shaped Paul’s life.