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Neighbour (peering) gardening over the fence!

56 replies

7238SM · 13/02/2026 16:04

fence peek GIF by Wimbledon

We bought a derelict property 4yrs ago, spent 2 renovating and have lived inside 2yrs. Still lots of bits to do, garden beds, furnishings etc. The appeal was the fields at the end and the houses either side are a distance away with no windows/no view onto our back patio and bifolds.

1 neighbour had a gardener fortnightly and in autumn, they are both up ladders trimming the bushes on their side. I know their routine and can plan ahead. My issue is that the neighbour has started climbing a ladder at random times under the guise of trimming, but seems is just have a good look into our house and garden. All her bushes are currently bare! We have cameras and I could see she didn't have secateurs this time- was just moving the bush to appear to be clipping. If relevant, she is in her 80's, very active, we get on to say hello- but she is known as the street busy body and knows all the gossip.

We've struggled to find blinds to fit the bifolds, but I equally don't feel we should have curtains pulled all day- in case she decides to peer over. Not sure what I'm asking really but I'm finding it very frustrating.

OP posts:
bigboykitty · 13/02/2026 16:07

Set up a watering system that will spray her. Turn it on every time you catch her gawping. Or let the nosey bugger have a good old gawp. Window film is your friend.

FuzzyWolf · 13/02/2026 16:07

Can you get some cardboard cut outs facing her with big grins on their faces and arms up as if waving?

Fluffyholeysocks · 13/02/2026 16:07

Ask her is she's lost her ball? You are worried about her climbing ladders at her age and if she needs her ball back just ask?

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justtheotheronemrswembley · 13/02/2026 16:50

Invest in some net curtains so she can't see in your windows.

I admire her tenacity in climbing up a ladder in her garden in the pissing rain.

BrownTroutBluesAgain · 13/02/2026 16:53

You have cameras so dont need to climb a ladder
She doesn’t

LateLifeReturnee · 13/02/2026 18:23

I thought you wrote peeing.

Peering is annoying. Peeing would be awful.

My attitude, act as if she isn't there when inside. If I see her from the garden. wave and cheerily say "how are you?"

tipsyraven · 13/02/2026 18:26

I’d wave at her every time. She’ll soon stop.

Wakemeupinapril · 13/02/2026 18:26

Shout loudly from an upstairs window..
Are you OK there Marge?? Let he know you can see her!!

MissMoneyFairy · 13/02/2026 18:27

Wave at her, go outside and ask her if she needs any help with anything, nosy moo.

CurbsideProphet · 13/02/2026 18:28

If you're in the house while she does this could you open a window and call "hello there, lovely day for a spot of gardening!" so she knows you can see her?

PURPLErainiswhatmadePrincegreat · 13/02/2026 18:30

this is how strong fit old women go to hospice with deadly infected broken bones....from stupid things like these

angelfacecuti75 · 13/02/2026 18:35

Get cardboard cut outs of Borat in a mankini and put them in your windows along with a large sign that says smile ...you are on camera!

ccridersuz · 13/02/2026 18:41

Time to sunbathe naked😎
That should keep her at bay!.

BambiDextrous · 13/02/2026 18:42

Put in a high fence. Yes it might cost you a couple of grand but will give you peace. I think you're allowed up to 6 ft 6 in high before needing planning perm (England) in a back garden. Double sided to give her a naice side as well as yourselves.

justtheotheronemrswembley · 13/02/2026 18:51

ccridersuz · 13/02/2026 18:41

Time to sunbathe naked😎
That should keep her at bay!.

I don't know about you, but sunshine is in pretty short supply round here.

mondaytosunday · 13/02/2026 19:11

What are you doing that is so interesting? I have a wall of glass as my back wall, and about 80ft behind me are townhouses/flats that overlook me directly. I don’t have curtains or blinds. If they look in at me reading/eating/working at the dining table I could not care less!
Your neighbour is hardly spending hours on end looking over at you. A few minutes here and there? So what?

Northernladdette · 13/02/2026 19:11

I’m impressed she can climb a ladder at her age 🤣

Getthetea · 13/02/2026 19:13

Some neighbours violate your privacy. It’s making me want to move here.

Getthetea · 13/02/2026 19:15

ccridersuz · 13/02/2026 18:41

Time to sunbathe naked😎
That should keep her at bay!.

II’m thinking of my dh and his mates sitting on deckchairs in their speedos drinking and farting for our similar problem.

FictionalCharacter · 13/02/2026 19:25

"Hello Doris? Up the ladder watching us again? Are we interesting?"

FazeleysRoyale · 13/02/2026 19:27

FuzzyWolf · 13/02/2026 16:07

Can you get some cardboard cut outs facing her with big grins on their faces and arms up as if waving?

Or Al Harrington’s wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man.

Get a couple of those 😆

Soonenough · 13/02/2026 19:37

How much for those trees???£££😱

TheUsualChaos · 13/02/2026 19:45

We have a similar neighbour. After her husband died she has became quite obsessive about us. Curtain twitching, staring down our driveway, taking photos when we have work being done on our garden. She used to try and start arguments about things we haven't done, I think she probably has early dementia. It won't stop. We either ignore her or make it obvious we can see her staring at us and she scuttles off.

Poppy61 · 13/02/2026 19:48

I like my privacy and couldn't bear someone peering at me. Evergreen trees and shrubs are your friends. Doesn't have to anything like Leylandi; viburnum tinus are excellent.