Greenhouses

As a master builder in the UK, Frank specialised in working on historic buildings such as the Royal Holloway College and many heritage private residences.   

Our greenhouses, or glasshouses, are individually designed and completely handmade.  From the foundations to the stonework, timber and decorative details, we source locally where ever possible. We will work with you to incorporate any features you particularly like or we can provide you with a finished design based on the space available.  We can also landscape the surrounding plot with hardscaping - steps, paths, gravelled areas etc - as well as growing beds and planting.  

The idea of growing plants in controlled environments has been around since Roman times.  It is said that the emperor Tiberius ate a cucumber every day and his gardeners  grew them in wheeled carts placed in the sun during the day and then brought inside at night to keep them warm.  In the 1300s the Italians created botanical gardens to show their exotic plants and soon afterwards thermal glasshouses were used to cultivate citrus fruits all year round.  

During the 19th century universities and scientific organisations built greenhouses as interest in growing and studying medicinal plants grew.   Then the Industrial Revolution made greenhouses more affordable as glass became far cheaper and no country house kitchen garden was complete without a greenhouse. 

Today greenhouses are in strong demand for both practical and aesthetic reasons.   Not only are they a beautiful, highly desirable addition that turns the smallest property into a  country estate but, with more people than ever wanting to grow their own food, it means the shortest distance 'from farm to table' and the confidence that your food is organic if you choose to produce that way.   Growing seasons can be extended, bad weather and pests are kept at bay.  

So, whether you dream of growing salad leaves and pineapples or cacti and orchids a greenhouse is the perfect solution. 

Many people now consider their greenhouses as outdoor rooms.  With the doors and windows closed in the winter or all wide open in the summer you can create an incredibly comfortable space in which to dine or just relax with a cuppa or a glass of something special.   The only limit is your imagination and we can help you explore some exciting ideas.