The Landscape Company
Haslemere · Surrey
Haslemere is full of sloping plots, stepped gardens and level changes. Retaining walls are often the key to making these gardens usable, safe and attractive — whether they’re supporting a new terrace or seating area, holding up a bank beside a driveway or framing a set of steps down to the lawn.
This guide covers the basics of retaining wall safety, common construction methods and the points homeowners in Haslemere, Hindhead, Grayswood and Shottermill should be aware of before starting work. For wider context on soil and drainage, see our guides to soil types in Haslemere and garden drainage & groundworks.
A retaining wall is any structure that holds back soil at different levels on each side. That might be:
Once it is holding back soil, it carries both the weight of the ground and the water within it. That’s why design, drainage and construction quality are so important — especially on mixed Haslemere ground.
Timber sleepers are a popular choice in Haslemere gardens for creating:
Properly installed, sleepers should be:
For more formal gardens or higher walls, concrete blockwork (often rendered) is common. These walls:
Brick or stone-faced retaining walls are often chosen to match period homes in central Haslemere, Grayswood or older Hindhead properties.
The key is usually a structural block or concrete core behind the facing material, rather than trying to make a purely decorative wall hold back heavy soil or parked cars.
Any retaining wall of substance should be built on:
In Haslemere, mixed ground conditions are common. Old fill, tree roots or soft patches can all undermine a wall if not identified during excavation. Our soil types guide explains why some banks feel rock-solid and others slump after heavy rain.
Water pressure is one of the biggest causes of retaining wall failure.
This is particularly important where clay pockets or perched water tables are present. Good retaining wall design usually sits alongside wider garden drainage improvements.
The higher the wall and the more load behind it (patios, driveways, hot tubs, garden buildings), the more carefully it needs to be designed.
As a rough guide:
Where retaining walls are linked with driveways or large terraces, we often design the whole structure and surfacing together.
It is sensible to seek professional advice when:
For more complex projects, a structural engineer can specify wall dimensions, reinforcement, foundations and drainage so that it performs safely long term. If planning rules are a concern, our planning permission guide outlines typical thresholds for walls, levels and boundary treatments.
If you already have retaining walls in your garden, warning signs include:
These may indicate that the wall is being overloaded, that drainage is inadequate or that the original construction was not suitable for the ground conditions. Our page on subsidence, drainage and patio longevity discusses similar issues for paved areas.
Level changes often occur at or near boundaries. In these cases it is important to:
A well-designed retaining wall can improve both gardens; a poorly built one can cause disputes and long-term maintenance problems.
Retaining structures are rarely stand-alone features. They often form part of a larger complete garden rebuild or front-garden design, tying together patios, paths, planting and access routes.
When we design a new terrace, driveway or stepped route, we look at how the retaining walls, drainage and surface finishes will age together — and what that means for long-term maintenance and cost. Our Haslemere landscaping costs guide gives indicative ranges for projects that include substantial retaining work.
Haslemere · Shottermill · Hindhead · Grayswood · Camelsdale · Hammer · Marley · Fernhurst · Linchmere · Kingsley Green · Surrey/Sussex borders
If you’re planning a new retaining wall or are concerned about an existing structure, we can visit, assess the site and advise on safe, long-term options — whether that’s reinforcement, partial rebuilding or designing a completely new layout.
Many small retaining walls within a private garden are covered by permitted development, especially when they are low and not next to a highway. However, walls close to boundaries, public footpaths or roads — or those that significantly raise ground levels — may need consent. Our planning permission guide outlines typical thresholds.
There is no single “magic height”, because soil, loading and drainage all play a role. As a very rough rule of thumb, anything approaching or exceeding 1 metre high, or carrying additional loads such as patios, driveways or buildings, should be treated as an engineered structure rather than a simple garden wall.
The most reliable wall is the one that suits your soil, load and layout. In Haslemere we often use concrete blockwork with proper footings and drainage for more serious level changes, and sleeper walls or small brickwork features for lower terraces and beds. The design is more important than the material alone.
Sometimes. In certain cases we can relieve pressure with better drainage, add new retaining structures in front, or rebuild sections in stages. Where movement is advanced or the wall is poorly founded, full reconstruction is usually the safest and most economical long-term option.
Explore all of our in-depth landscaping guides for Haslemere, Hindhead, Grayswood, Kingsley Green, Shottermill and the surrounding Surrey/Sussex borders:
If you’re considering a new retaining wall, driveway, patio or full garden transformation, we’d be happy to talk through your ideas and advise on the safest, most practical way forward.
Call: 01428 654812 · 07500 877949
Email: richard@tlchaslemere.co.uk
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