Retaining walls, brick steps and terrace work for Ross-on-Wye's sloping Wye-valley gardens, along with boundary walls, raised beds and repairs to older brick that has moved or weathered.
Ross-on-Wye stands on a sandstone bluff above the Wye, and a great many gardens climb or fall with the ground. Level lawn is the exception here. Terraces, steps and retaining walls are part of the way these gardens work. Steep ground makes everything harder, from digging footings to wheeling barrows, and a sensible plan for access can save a good deal of effort on site.
SPR Trees and Landscapes provides garden brickwork in Ross-on-Wye and the lanes around it. Because the slope is usually the main issue, our first job is to understand where water goes and how the soil behaves, then plan walls and steps that will cope with it. We will also tell you if a slope is better handled with a different approach, such as planting, a gentler bank or a simpler set of steps.
On a slope, a retaining wall must resist the weight of soil and the push of water after rain. Height is the main factor. A low wall of a few courses is straightforward, while a taller one needs a wider footing, drainage behind and sometimes engineering advice. Garden Retaining Walls built in stepped terraces are often better than one tall wall, as they spread the load and give you usable planting or sitting space. We suggest what suits the plot and tell you clearly when something is beyond a simple garden job. Wet weather in particular tests every new retaining structure.
Steps are essential in sloping gardens, and a well-made flight is safer and nicer to use. Consistent risers, firm foundations and a slight fall on each tread matter more than decoration. Where the bank is steep, side walls hold the soil back. Raised beds suit the sandy or stony ground found on some plots, and can double as low retaining walls. Brick Garden Steps can also be lit or planted along the edges. Allow time for the build to be properly bedded in before heavy use. Handrails on longer flights are worth adding, especially for older family members.
Boundary walls on hillsides take more strain than those on the flat, because soil pushes against them from above. Cracks and leaning are therefore common, and are often a sign of drainage trouble rather than bad brickwork. We check why a wall has moved before deciding whether to repair, repoint or rebuild. Sandstone and brick often sit side by side here, so matching repairs takes thought. Fixing the water problem first is what stops a repaired wall from failing again within a few winters. Ask early about any shared boundary, as slopes make ownership arguments more heated.
Ross-on-Wye sits right on the Herefordshire edge, with Gloucestershire close by and the Wye looping below the town. Many properties have steep drives or steps for access, so moving bricks, sand and cement to the garden can take real effort, and we plan for it. We also cover Hereford, Ledbury and Gloucester, where the ground is generally flatter. A visit to the site, ideally in dry weather, lets us judge the slope, the drainage and the state of existing walls before giving you a free quote. Footings on sandstone or clay need different handling, which we check on site.
We also take on garden brickwork work in nearby Hereford, Ledbury, Gloucester.
Select a service to read our guide to it:
Images on this page are illustrations only.
“Jim and Dan did a brilliant job on my 90ft conifer. Its a lot safer now and I have more light in the garden...”
“The boys did an excellent job... pruned my trees back and remove one tree that had split...”
“The guys were prompt & proffesional removed an old ash for me thanks guys”
Generally when it is tall, supports a building, a driveway or a neighbouring property, or sits on unstable ground. We tell you on site if we think engineering advice is sensible before building. Fixing the water usually matters more than fixing the brick.
Soil and trapped water push on the wall. Poor drainage, shallow footings or tree roots are common causes. Repointing alone will not help, and the wall often needs rebuilding with proper drainage. A wall that holds soil is also holding water, and the drains matter.
Often yes. Two or three lower walls share the load and leave planting space between them. They need more ground, though, so it depends on the width of your plot and what you want to use it for. Ask us to check the drains at the same time.
SPR Trees & Landscapes, 6 Rose Avenue, Worcester, WR4 9PY
Tell us what you need in Ross-on-Wye and we will get back to you, usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call 07542 451291 or WhatsApp us.
