Buildings

Crinkle Crankle Walls, What Are They?

Crinkle crankle walls, with their distinctive serpentine shape, are an intriguing and unique aspect of landscape architecture, primarily found in the United Kingdom. These walls, also known as crinkum crankum, serpentine, or wavy walls, have a history that is as meandering as their form.

The curves in the wall provide stability and help it to resist lateral forces, leading to greater strength than a straight wall of the same thickness of bricks without the need for buttresses.

Many crinkle crankle walls are found in East Anglia, England, where the marshes of The Fens were drained by Dutch engineers starting in the mid-1600s. The construction of these walls has been attributed to these engineers, who called them slangenmuur, meaning snake wall.

The county of Suffolk claims at least 100 examples, twice as many as in the whole of the rest of the country.

Contents

Origins

The precise origins of crinkle crankle walls, also affectionately known as crinkum crankum walls, are shrouded in a certain historical mystery, but they are generally understood to have emerged during the 18th century. The term itself, “crinkle crankle”, is an old English expression that vividly describes the wall’s distinctive zigzag pattern.

The bricks in crinkle crankle walls are often laid in a stretcher bond for added strength.
The bricks in crinkle crankle walls are often laid in a stretcher bond for added strength.

This serpentine design is believed to have been inspired by the aesthetic principles of the English landscape movement that flourished during this period, an era marked by a departure from formal, symmetrical garden layouts to more naturalistic and flowing designs, championed by influential figures like Capability Brown.

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The crinkle crankle wall’s inception can be seen as part of this broader stylistic shift, where the undulating lines of the landscape were mirrored in the architectural features within it.

While the primary purpose of these walls was functional – often used to enclose gardens and estates – their whimsical form was undoubtedly influenced by the contemporaneous taste for the picturesque, an aesthetic ideal that favored asymmetry, contrast, and irregularity, all key characteristics of the crinkle crankle wall.

Dutch

Though their exact origin point is difficult to pinpoint, it’s widely accepted that these walls gained prominence in England. Some theories suggest a Dutch influence, particularly in the East Anglia region, where similar structures are common.

View towards Bramfield. Crinkle Crankle walls have added strength and do away for the need for buttressing.
View towards Bramfield. Crinkle Crankle walls have added strength and do away for the need for buttressing. Image Credit: John Firth

This connection is often attributed to the 17th-century influx of Dutch engineers who were instrumental in marshland drainage projects in the area. The Dutch had a long-standing tradition of brickwork and were renowned for their innovative engineering solutions, which may have contributed to the development and popularisation of the crinkle crankle wall design in England.

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In essence, the emergence of crinkle crankle walls appears to be a confluence of practical engineering needs, aesthetic preferences of the time, and possibly cross-cultural influences. Their design was a creative response to the architectural and landscaping challenges of the era, blending functionality with an artistic sensibility that reflected the changing tastes of the 18th-century English gentry.

Design

The design and construction of crinkle crankle walls are remarkable for their blend of aesthetic appeal and engineering ingenuity. Characterised by their unique serpentine shape, these walls are not just visually striking but also structurally efficient, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of material properties and architectural design.

Crinkum-crankum Wall, Lymington, Hampshire, England
Crinkum-crankum Wall, Lymington, Hampshire, England. Image Credit: Anne Burgess

In essence, a crinkle crankle wall undulates with a series of curves, or ‘crinkles’, each one curving in the opposite direction to its neighbor. This sinuous design is not merely for visual effect; it serves a crucial structural purpose.

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The alternating curves of the wall allow it to be constructed with a single thickness of brick, unlike straight walls which require additional width or buttressing to achieve the same level of stability. This design means that despite their slender profile, crinkle crankle walls are exceptionally strong and resistant to toppling.

Precise Craftsmanship

The construction of these walls requires precise craftsmanship. Each curve acts like an arch, effectively supporting the weight of the wall and distributing the load evenly along its length.

This self-supporting feature negates the need for additional buttressing, making the walls less material-intensive compared to their straight counterparts. The bricks are often laid in a stretcher bond, where each brick overlaps the one below by half its width, adding to the wall’s strength and stability.

This mid 18th century red-brick crinkle-crankle wall surrounds Burgh House and forms the southern boundary of St Andrew’s churchyard. Lamas, Norfolk, England. Image Credit: Evelyn Simak

Another notable aspect of crinkle crankle wall construction is the careful consideration of its orientation and location. Historically, these walls were often built as garden walls, providing shelter from the wind and creating microclimates beneficial for growing fruits and vegetables.

The east-west alignment of the curves allows one side of the wall to capture the warmth of the morning sun, while the other side retains heat in the afternoon, creating a favorable environment for plant growth.

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The height and length of crinkle crankle walls can vary significantly, but all adhere to the fundamental principle of the serpentine design. The number of curves in a wall depends on the space available and the builder’s preference, with some walls featuring long, gentle waves and others displaying shorter, more pronounced undulations.

In summary, the design and construction of crinkle crankle walls are a testament to the ingenuity of their creators.

Combining structural efficiency with aesthetic elegance, these walls are not only beautiful landscape features but also exemplify a clever use of materials and an understanding of architectural principles. Their enduring presence in the landscapes of England and beyond continues to fascinate architects, historians, and enthusiasts alike.

Crinkle Crankle Walls Cultural Significance

The architectural and cultural significance of crinkle crankle walls extends far beyond their distinctive appearance and practical utility. The walls’ unique design, characterised by their undulating form, not only requires fewer materials than a straight wall of comparable size and strength but also demonstrates an advanced understanding of engineering principles.

Easton Estate and house with its famous crinkle-crankle wall which is believed to be the longest example of this form of wall construction and design
Easton Estate and house with its famous crinkle-crankle wall which is believed to be the longest example of this form of wall construction and design. Image Credit: Evelyn Simak

Their construction technique, particularly the use of a single layer of bricks and the strategic arrangement of the curves, represents a significant achievement in terms of efficient material usage and structural stability. This blend of form and function is a hallmark of good design and has been appreciated by architects and historians alike.

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Culturally, crinkle crankle walls hold a special place in the landscape of Britain, particularly in East Anglia where they are most prevalent. They are seen as an expression of the whimsical and often eccentric character of English garden design.

In an era where formal, symmetric garden layouts were giving way to more naturalistic designs, these walls embodied the shift towards a landscape aesthetic that valued irregularity and charm.

English Countryside

Their meandering form contrasts sharply with the straight lines and rigid geometries typical of earlier periods, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards a more romanticised view of nature.

The walls also have a significant literary and artistic dimension. They have been featured in paintings, poems, and stories, often symbolising the idyllic and pastoral qualities of the English countryside. In literature, they sometimes serve as metaphors for complexity and the unexpected twists and turns of life, mirroring their own winding structure.

Crinkle-crankle or serpentine wall and curved gateway to private gardens, Winwick, West Northamptonshire, England
Crinkle-crankle or serpentine wall and curved gateway to private gardens, Winwick, West Northamptonshire, England

In addition to their historical and aesthetic value, crinkle crankle walls have become an important part of local heritage and identity in the areas where they are found.

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They are often cherished as unique landmarks and are a source of pride for local communities. The efforts to preserve and maintain these walls reflect a recognition of their importance as a link to the past and as a continuing source of beauty and interest in the landscape.

Preservation of Crinkle Crankle Walls

The preservation of crinkle crankle walls presents both challenges and opportunities, reflecting their unique place in architectural and cultural history. As these structures age, they face various threats that necessitate careful maintenance and conservation efforts to ensure their survival for future generations.

One of the primary challenges in preserving crinkle crankle walls is their vulnerability to environmental factors. Weathering, particularly in areas with harsher climates, can erode the mortar and weaken the brickwork.

Many crinkle crankle walls are now subject to conservation efforts due to their historical significance.

The undulating design, while providing structural stability, also means that any damage is not just localised but can affect the integrity of the entire wall. Additionally, plant growth, both at the base and within the crevices of the wall, can exacerbate this deterioration.

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Another challenge is the specialised knowledge required for their maintenance and restoration. The construction of crinkle crankle walls requires a level of craftsmanship and understanding of their unique design that is not widely available in the modern construction industry. This scarcity of skilled artisans can make restoration work both difficult and expensive.

Some Crinkle Crankle Walls

Furthermore, there is the issue of changing land use and development pressures. As urban expansion continues, some crinkle crankle walls, especially those in or near developed areas, face the risk of being demolished or altered in ways that detract from their historical integrity. Balancing the needs of modern development with the preservation of these historic structures is a continuing challenge.

The crinkle-crankle wall of Easton
The crinkle-crankle wall of Easton

Despite these challenges, the preservation of crinkle crankle walls also offers opportunities. They are increasingly recognised for their historical and architectural value, leading to efforts by local communities, heritage organisations, and government bodies to protect and restore them.

In some cases, these walls are listed as historical monuments, which provides them with a level of legal protection and helps to ensure that any alterations or restoration work is sympathetic to their original design.

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Educational and cultural initiatives also play a crucial role in their preservation. By raising public awareness about the history and significance of crinkle crankle walls, these initiatives can garner support for their conservation.

In some communities, the walls are incorporated into local heritage trails or used as educational tools to teach about traditional building techniques and architectural history.

However, the growing recognition of their cultural and historical value offers hope. Through concerted conservation efforts, educational outreach, and legal protections, these unique structures can be preserved as an important part of our architectural and cultural heritage.