This paper describes an experimental study into the seismic behaviour of low-cost walls incorporating timber frames with composite cane and cement mortar panels. Five cyclic tests on full-scale wall specimens of different geometric and material characteristics are described. The test set-up, wall configurations and material properties are introduced, followed by a detailed account of the experimental results and observations. Based on the results from the tests, the main behavioural features are discussed and the salient response parameters such as stiffness, strength, energy dissipation and ductility are examined. Particular emphasis is given to the assessment of key construction provisions such as mortar strength, galvanised wire mesh reinforcement and the presence of windows. The cyclic tests reported offer direct information on the lateral force–displacement response of the walls and their energy dissipation characteristics. Finally, simple expressions for determining the overall stiffness and capacity of the timber frame composite cane and mortar walls are proposed. As well as providing essential information for the future validation of more detailed numerical procedures, the experimental results presented in this paper also demonstrate the suitability of this form of low-cost construction for resisting deformation demands typical of large-magnitude earthquakes.