French Drains in Marylebone designed to move water away from your home, not into it. We install discreet, high-capacity drainage that protects patios, basements and planted borders. Expect tidy workmanship, correct gradients and long-lasting materials.
Response within 24 hours
Standing water after heavy rain can quickly damage paving, lawns and planting. Around Marylebone High Street and Regent’s Park, many gardens sit behind buildings where runoff has nowhere to go. A properly designed French drain collects excess water and directs it to a suitable outlet. The result is a drier garden and fewer damp problems around foundations and lightwells.
We’re used to working with Marylebone’s Georgian townhouses, mansion blocks and period conversions, where space is tight and finishes matter. Courtyard gardens, basement patios and narrow side returns often need drainage that’s effective yet visually unobtrusive. We also see issues from older hard landscaping and compacted sub-bases that hold water. Our solutions suit both traditional stone paving and modern porcelain patios.
Every installation starts with a site survey and level checks to confirm the best route and fall. We handle trench excavation, geotextile membrane lining, gravel fill, perforated pipe placement and secure outlet connection. Where needed, we design multiple runs to intercept water from several problem areas. Work is completed cleanly with clear maintenance guidance, backed by a written 10-year warranty.
Access in W1 can be challenging, with controlled parking zones and restricted loading times, so we plan deliveries and spoil removal carefully. Many gardens sit between party walls, so we keep excavation tidy and protect neighbouring structures. Ground conditions vary from compacted made ground to heavier soils that drain slowly, especially around Baker Street corridors. Our approach adapts to these constraints, with discreet routing and robust filtration for long service life.
Rated 4.9/5 from over 280 verified reviews
Costs in Marylebone typically range from £120–£250 per linear metre for a standard French drain, depending on depth, access, and reinstatement. Small courtyard projects might start around £1,200–£2,500, while longer runs with multiple branches and complex outlet connections can be £3,500–£8,000+. We’ll confirm the most cost-effective design after checking levels, soil type and discharge options.
Most installations take 1–3 days for a single run in a typical garden, including excavation, pipework, gravel fill and reinstatement. Larger schemes with multiple runs, deeper trenches, or tricky access (common in W1 mansion blocks and mews-style approaches) can take 3–7 days. Timescales also depend on locating existing services, weather, and whether we’re lifting and relaying paving or turf.
French drains are usually classed as permitted works within a private garden and don’t require planning permission. However, City of Westminster rules can affect where water is discharged, and listed buildings or conservation areas may have restrictions on visible changes. If your property is a period conversion or near protected frontages, we’ll advise on compliance and help check any requirements before work begins.
Yes. We provide a 10-year warranty on our French drain installations, covering workmanship and correct installation of the system components, including pipe placement, membrane use, and gradient design. The warranty is valid when the system is used as intended and maintained sensibly (for example, keeping gullies clear and avoiding soil contamination of the gravel zone). We also supply maintenance guidance to protect long-term performance.
We tailor the design to your garden layout and water volume. Options include different perforated pipe diameters, clean angular gravel grades, and heavier-duty geotextile membranes for silty soils. We can add inspection points for easier maintenance, create multiple runs to intercept runoff, and choose discreet finishes such as gravel strips or hidden channels beneath planting. We’ll recommend the best combination after a level survey and drainage assessment.
Get your free, no-obligation quote today.