Services
Sleeper walls, steps & raised beds across Surrey, Hampshire & South West London
Sloping gardens can be hard to use and hard to look after. Timber-sleeper retaining walls turn a slope into level terraces, sleeper steps make a steep bank safe to climb, and raised beds bring planting up to a comfortable height while giving the garden structure.
We build sleeper retaining walls, terraces, steps, raised beds and edging, on their own or as part of a complete garden remodel.
What we do
Our sleeper walls & raised beds work
- Timber-sleeper retaining walls for sloping gardens
- Terraced levels with gravel or planting between walls
- Sleeper steps up steep banks
- Raised beds along fences, walls and patio edges
- Sleeper edging to lawns and borders
- Sleeper walls as part of complete garden remodels
Steps and terraces on a steep bank 
Tiered sleeper retaining walls 
Sleeper raised beds around a patio 
L-shaped sleeper raised beds 
Long raised bed along the fence 
Sleeper-edged border and lawn
Thinking about sleeper walls & raised beds?Tell us a little about your space and what you have in mind, or give Dan or Adam a call.
Planning advice
Building with sleepers: what to consider
- Height and loads
- Raised beds and low walls are straightforward, but retaining walls hold back a lot of soil and water. Taller walls, and walls close to buildings, boundaries or driveways, may need engineering advice.
- Drainage behind the wall
- Water building up behind a retaining wall adds pressure. Free-draining backfill and a way for water to escape help the wall stay straight.
- New or reclaimed sleepers
- Reclaimed railway sleepers can contain creosote or tar, which can leach out in hot weather. They are not a good choice for vegetable beds or where children play. New, treated sleepers avoid the problem.
- Fixing and stability
- Sleepers should be fixed to each other and secured into the ground so walls do not bow or shift as the soil behind them settles.
- Timber and lifespan
- Treated softwood, hardwood and oak sleepers weather differently. Keeping timber out of standing water helps any sleeper last longer.
- Steps on slopes
- Comfortable steps have a consistent height and depth. Sleeper risers with gravel treads are a practical way to make a steep bank usable.
FAQs
Sleeper walls & raised beds: common questions
Are railway sleepers safe for vegetable beds?
New, treated sleepers made for garden use are the safer choice. Reclaimed railway sleepers can contain creosote or tar, which is not recommended near food crops or where children play.
Do sleeper retaining walls need planning permission?
Garden walls up to 2 metres high (1 metre next to a road used by vehicles) are usually permitted development. Works that significantly change ground levels, or that are at listed buildings or in conservation areas, may need consent, so check with your local planning authority.
How long do timber sleepers last?
It depends on the timber, the treatment and the ground conditions. Sleepers that stay well drained and out of standing water last considerably longer.
Can you terrace a steep garden?
Yes. We have built sleeper steps and gravel terraces on steep slopes, turning banks that were hard to use into practical garden space.
Start your project
Tell us about your outdoor space
Call Dan or Adam for a chat about what you have in mind, or send us a few details and we’ll get back to you.