Terrace Gardens in Herne Hill that turn awkward slopes into usable, beautiful outdoor rooms. From retaining walls and steps to lighting, irrigation and planting, we build terraces that work year-round.
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Herne Hill’s changing levels can make gardens feel cramped or hard to use, especially around SE24 streets near Brockwell Park. A well-planned terrace layout creates flat, practical zones for dining, planting and play. We combine retaining walls, multi-level planting and safe steps so every level feels connected. Add lighting and seating areas and your garden becomes a space you’ll use after work and at weekends.
We regularly work on Victorian terraces, Edwardian houses and period conversions around Herne Hill station and towards Dulwich and Brixton. These properties often have narrow access routes, mature boundaries and long rear gardens that benefit from zoning. Our designs respect original brickwork and proportions while introducing modern drainage solutions and irrigation where needed. The result is a garden that looks established, not newly imposed.
We start with a site survey, level checks and a clear plan for drainage and access before any ground is broken. You’ll receive a detailed specification, realistic programme and tidy working practices that suit residential streets. Our team is based just 15 minutes away, so aftercare and follow-up visits are straightforward. Homeowners choose us for reliable communication, durable construction and finishes that stay sharp through London winters.
The terrace gardens herne hill area often sit on mixed London soils with pockets of clay, so drainage and foundations matter. We plan spoil removal and material deliveries around restricted access and controlled parking near the Sunday market routes. Where boundaries adjoin neighbouring period gardens, we use considerate construction methods and tidy site management. For terrace gardens in London Borough of Lambeth/Southwark, we also factor in conservation considerations and party wall sensitivities where relevant.
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Costs vary with levels, access and the type of retaining walls. As a guide, smaller terrace reworks with steps and planting can start around £8,000–£15,000. Mid-size builds with engineered walls, drainage solutions, lighting and seating areas are often £18,000–£40,000. Larger multi-level schemes with water features and irrigation commonly fall in the £40,000–£80,000+ range. We provide an itemised quote after a site survey.
Most projects take 2–6 weeks on site, depending on how many levels are created and the amount of groundwork. A compact scheme with one retaining wall and new steps may take 10–15 working days. Multi-level planting beds, drainage runs, lighting, irrigation and bespoke seating can extend the programme to 6–10 weeks. Timescales are affected by access, weather, curing times for concrete and lead times for materials.
Many garden improvements are permitted development, but terrace works can trigger checks if you’re adding high retaining walls, altering ground levels significantly, or working in a conservation area. Water features, lighting and planting rarely need consent, while walls near boundaries may require careful design. We review the site, flag potential planning or building control issues, and can advise on party wall matters where applicable before construction starts.
We provide a 10-year warranty on our hard landscaping workmanship, including retaining walls, steps, paving and built seating, when installed to our specification. This covers defects arising from construction, not damage from misuse, extreme events or third-party alterations. Manufacturer warranties apply separately to products such as lighting transformers, pumps for water features and irrigation components. We also offer practical aftercare guidance to keep planting and finishes performing well.
We design terraces to suit period homes, from London stock brick retaining walls to natural stone, porcelain paving or clay pavers. Steps can be stone, brick or concrete with crisp edging details, and seating areas can be built-in timber or masonry. For planting, we often use layered evergreen structure with seasonal perennials, plus climbers to soften walls. We’ll present options, samples and a layout that balances budget, maintenance and style.
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