Post & Rail Fencing
Also commonly known as ‘Sussex Rail Fencing’ — a traditional and rustic form of fencing using chestnut morticed posts and hand-split rails.
Chestnut Post & Rail Fencing, also commonly known as Sussex rail fencing, is a traditional, handcrafted fencing style made from naturally rot-resistant chestnut. Featuring morticed posts and hand-split rails, this system delivers rustic charm, long-term performance, and low maintenance. Ideal for gardens, paddocks, or heritage estates, it offers a visually pleasing and eco-friendly alternative to conventional fencing. Lasting a long time with minimal upkeep, it’s a sustainable boundary solution that ages with grace and strength.
This style of fencing can be installed in 2-Rail or 3-Rail variations.
How it’s built
- Timber
- Hand-split natural chestnut (hard wood)
- Posts
- Morticed
- Rails
- 2-rail or 3-rail
- Source
- Sustainably coppiced, Kent & Sussex
- Best for
- Paddocks, boundaries, rural plots
Why choose post & rail fencing
- Durability & Performance – Chestnut is a hardwood which is rich in natural tannins, providing outstanding rot resistance and longevity, often lasting 20 to 40 years in UK climates, typically without pressure treatment
- Rustic Elegance – Thanks to the organic grain, curved rail profile, and bark coating, this fencing offers a beautifully rustic, handcrafted appearance that blends organically with countryside and garden settings.
- Sustainability – Produced from sustainably managed coppiced woodlands within the UK, sources in Kent and Sussex contribute to low-carbon footprints and eco-responsible forestry.
- Minimal Maintenance – With no chemical treatment necessary, chestnut fences require no ongoing treatment, occasional visual checks may be all that’s needed over time.
Free written quote
Tell us about your post & rail fencing and we’ll come to site, talk it through and give you a written quote.
- Checkatrade 10/10 · 57 reviews
- Fully insured fencing contractor
- VAT registered · fully vetted
Built by hand vs. off-the-shelf
The same money buys a very different fence. Here’s how our made-on-site post & rail fencing compares with slotted-together panels.
Fencecraft — made on site
- Hand-split chestnut rails and morticed posts
- Sustainably coppiced in Kent and Sussex
- Often lasts 20 to 40 years
- 2-rail or 3-rail for paddocks and rural boundaries
Machined softwood post & rail
- Machine-milled, treated softwood
- Nailed or stapled fixings
- A shorter working life
- A more uniform, less natural look
Make it yours
Because we build on site, we can tailor your post & rail fencing to your space. A few of the ways we do that.
2-rail or 3-rail
Two or three rails depending on your boundary and what it needs to hold.
Kent & Sussex chestnut
Hand-split rails from sustainably coppiced local woodland.
Morticed posts
Rails set into morticed posts — the traditional, long-lasting method.
Paddocks & rural plots
Ideal for paddocks, boundaries and rural plots.
Post & Rail Fencing FAQs
Still not sure what you need? Give us a call and we’ll talk it through.
01732 647509How long does chestnut post and rail last?
Chestnut post and rail — also known as Sussex rail — uses morticed posts and hand-split rails, and often lasts 20 to 40 years.
Where does the chestnut come from?
Our chestnut is sourced from sustainably managed coppiced woodlands within Kent and Sussex.
2-rail or 3-rail?
Both — 2-rail or 3-rail depending on your boundary. It’s ideal for paddocks, boundaries and rural plots.
Do you take the old fence away?
Yes. We remove the old fence and all the offcuts and leave the site “ridiculously tidy”, in our customers’ own words.
Which areas do you cover?
We install across Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and the surrounding towns and villages of mid and west Kent.
Other fencing & timber we build
What our customers say
Real Google reviews from homeowners across Kent — plus a 10/10 rating across 57 verified Checkatrade reviews.
- Checkatrade 10/10Google 5★
- Fully insuredFencing contractor
- VAT registered12 vetting checks
- Member since 2023Vetted & verified
Thinking about post & rail fencing?
Tell us about your fence and we’ll come to site, talk it through and give you a written quote — no pressure, no hard sell.