Terraced patios and paving for Ross-on-Wye's sloping gardens, where the sandstone bluff above the Wye means levels, steps and retaining edges shape the whole design.
Ross-on-Wye climbs a red sandstone bluff above the river, so flat gardens are the exception. Most plots rise or fall, with walls, steps and terraces already in place. A new patio here is a question of working with that layout rather than ignoring it.
We begin with the levels: where the house door sits, how far the ground drops or climbs, and what holds the soil back. Once that is clear, the patio can be placed on the most useful flat spot, edged properly and linked to the rest of the garden by steps or a ramp where needed.
Cutting a level into a slope releases soil, which has to go somewhere. Sometimes it can be used to build up a lower terrace; often it is carted away. The new edge then needs support, whether a block wall, stone-faced wall or sleepers, sized to the height of the bank. Taller structures may need drainage behind and could require engineering advice, which we will mention if it applies. Steps are built with consistent risers and a slight fall on each tread so water runs off. Handrails are worth considering where there is a real drop beside the path.
Sandstone slabs match the local geology and look at home here, with a slightly textured surface that gives decent grip. Porcelain with a grip finish is also a good option for steps and shady corners, where algae can build up. Limestone is attractive but can mark if left damp. Block paving works well for driveways cut into steep ground because its interlock resists movement. We talk through the finish you want and what level of cleaning you are prepared to do each year.
Water follows gravity, and on a steep plot it can run across a patio, into the house or onto a neighbour. We plan for that by setting falls, installing channel drains where paving meets higher ground, and directing flows to a suitable outlet. Springs and wet patches are not uncommon on valley sides. We investigate before laying and, if the ground is persistently wet, we explain what a land drain or a different base can achieve. A properly drained slope is much easier to keep tidy.
We cover Ross-on-Wye and the nearby villages, plus Hereford, Ledbury and Gloucester. Steep streets and narrow lanes make delivery and skip placement a puzzle at times, so we check access during the free visit and plan how heavy slabs will reach the garden. Some jobs are easier split into stages, for instance retaining work first and paving afterwards. We will tell you if that suits your plot and budget, and give you a written quote before anything starts.
We also take on patio slabbing work in nearby Hereford, Ledbury, Gloucester.
“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”
Usually yes, by creating a level terrace with a retaining edge and steps. How much soil moves and what holds it back depends on the slope, which we assess on site.
Often, when a terrace is cut into a bank. We can build low walls as part of the project; taller or heavily loaded walls may need specialist design, and we say so if that is the case.
Any smooth paving can be. Riven or textured sandstone and grip-finish porcelain offer better traction, and falls help water drain off quickly. We recommend suitable finishes for steps and slopes.
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.
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