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Garden size/ orientation

4 replies

Werk · 03/11/2020 13:20

Based on Other threads - I wonder if people could share their ideal garden size and orientation.

We are looking for a house at the moment and one of the things that DH and I cannot seem to agree on is the garden.

I think a garden of around 50ft is fine (we are in London) and as long as it isn't north facing it should get some sun.

I think, ideally I would have a south west facing garden to get the evening sun as this is the time we are more likely to sit out there.

Our DC are 5&3 and I have a fear of trampolines and so I wouldn't have one in the garden anyway. Our current garden is south facing and only about 20ft long - it is an absolute sun trap with no shade and so we can't really use it in the height of summer. It is too small for the DC to run about (partly because it is laid to patio and has raised beds around the edge which take up space).

DH insists on us having another south facing garden (he refused to see a house on the basis it was north facing, I am prepared to have a less than perfect garden to get a nice house) and it must be 70ft long.

There are two houses in our search area which meet this criteria and he has rejected them both (one is a 3 bed and the other is on a busy street).

I have seen a house I really like, the garden is SE facing and about 55ft but, because the house is on a hill, there is a paved terrace immediately outside the house which is about 10ft long and then you go up some stairs to another level which is 40/45ft and laid to lawn (flat) . It doesn't quite fit the "throw the back door open and let the kids play outside" image as I wouldn't be able to see them from the kitchen - I would only be able to see them if I was on the upper level of garden with them or upstairs! Also, I doubt the paved terrace gets any sun, definitely not in the evening.

This is for a 4 bed family house. London and so I do not expect half an acre Grin

OP posts:
Rollercoaster1920 · 03/11/2020 18:58

I want sun in the evening at my garden door. I have a NNW garden that fulfils that need, i suspect any slightly west orientation garden will depending on the neighbours gardens and extensions.

Africa2go · 03/11/2020 19:13

There was a thread about this a while ago (at least the garden orientation). Here

I think a step up (so not being able to see the children from the kitchen) would be a no from me. Our proviso when we bought our current house was a flat lawn so it was child friendly.

MsAnnFrope · 03/11/2020 19:17

We rented a house with patio then steps up to garden while we were looking for somewhere to buy. It was a stressor with DC especially the younger ones. Our criteria when we bought was must have lawn and be secure for DC. It is south facing and we put up a gazebo for shade when it gets hot.

msgloria · 03/11/2020 22:58

The large house I'm buying (London) has a 50 foot north westerly facing garden. The house is gorgeous but has been extended a fair bit at the back. We'd wanted minimum 60 feet, but it is also 30 feet wide - twice the width of our current garden.

I totally know what you mean - ideally we'd have had the 90 foot statement / prestige garden, but it is a lovely house and it's the right compromise for us.

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